Oregon lawmakers consider regulating utility rate hikes

• Utilities sometimes ask for consumer rate increases to recoup costs related to wildfire mitigation — like trimming trees around power lines — upgrading transmission and technology infrastructure, and meeting new demand.
• "Oregon utility customers should not have to bear the costs of enormous demand for power by data centers and other large energy users," state Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Ashland), a chief sponsor of House Bill 3546, said in a news release.

By the numbers: State regulators with the Public Utility Commission have approved consumer hikes for PGE and PacifiCorp, which provide energy to more than 1.4 million Oregonians, every year since 2020 — bringing rates up about 50%.

• Right now, when the commission approves rate hikes, it does not consider customer affordability, which the proposal would require it to take into account, alongside the rate of unemployment, median income, and cost of living in the utility's coverage area.

What's next: The first legislative hearing of the bill last week proved divisive.

• Supporters advocated for vulnerable Oregonians — some of whom have had their power shut off during extreme weather events for a past-due bill as little as $50 — while utility lobbyists argued it could lead to shareholder disinvestment and even higher prices.