February 18, 2013
Oregon

PGE looks for rate hike, 9.1 percent for residential customers

By Ted Sickinger, The Oregonian | on February 15, 2013 | www.oregonlive.com

Residential and small business customers of Portland General Electric would see rate increases between 9 and 11 percent under a rate request that the company filed Friday with state utility regulators.

The overall request is for a rate increase of 6.2 percent. But proposed rates, which would become effective next January, vary by customer class and usage. They fall most heavily on residential and small business customers, who would see rates rise by 9.1 percent and 10.6 percent, respectively.

Commercial would see rates rise between 2.6 and 6.2 percent, while industrial customers would see a small decline in rates.

PGE chief Financial Officer Maria Pope said the increases were skewed because the costs driving the request were predominantly in the utility’s distribution system, which larger customers don’t lean on as heavily.

The company cited a long list of factors driving the increases, including pension and medical insurance costs, technology systems, upgrades at power plants, and the underperformance of its Biglow Canyon wind farm versus forecast.

The filing with the Oregon Public Utility Commission starts a 10 month process in which regulators and customer groups will examine all of PGE’s costs. A decision is expected next fall.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/02/18/pge-looks-for-rate-hike-9-1-percent-for-residential-customers/