All articles tagged with #portland general electric
Berkshire Hathaway Energy unit PacifiCorp agreed to sell wind farms, transmission lines and a natural gas plant in Washington to Portland General Electric for $1.9 billion to strengthen its finances after wildfire-related losses, while retaining a hydro plant; the deal, coordinated under Greg Abel’s leadership, marks a rare asset disposal for Berkshire’s energy business.
Portland General Electric agreed to acquire PacifiCorp’s Washington-state wind, natural-gas generation and distribution assets for $1.9 billion, with Manulife Investment Management backing the deal and taking a minority stake. PacifiCorp says the sale will bolster its finances and simplify operations amid diverging policies. The assets include three generation facilities, about 4,500 miles of transmission and distribution lines, and operations across roughly 2,700 square miles serving about 140,000 customers.
Portland General Electric has filed a request for a 7.4% rate increase in 2025 to support investments in local battery energy storage systems, following a 17% rate increase approved for this year. The request is now under review by the Oregon Public Utility Commission, which will conduct a 10-month review process. PGE has also expanded its income-based discount program, offering up to 60% discounts to eligible customers, and has seen a 65% growth in program enrollment since 2022. The rate hike request comes after PGE suffered a $30 million loss from a January 2024 ice storm, prompting concerns from consumer advocates about the impact of multiple rate increases on customers.
Portland General Electric has requested a rate review with the Oregon Public Utility Commission, seeking a 7.4% rate increase in 2025 to fund investments in battery storage and infrastructure improvements. This comes after recent rate hikes, totaling over 42% since 2021. Customers are feeling the financial strain, with rising utility costs adding to existing financial pressures. The utility company serves over 930,000 customers in Oregon, and while it offers rebates and incentives for energy efficiency, the proposed rate increase has sparked concerns about affordability.
Portland General Electric announces that 85,000 customers may be eligible for bill discounts of up to 60% through its Income-Qualified Bill Discount program, which has been expanded from its original 25% discount. Eligibility is based on household size and income, and customers can apply online or by phone. This announcement follows customer outrage over an 18% energy bill price hike, attributed to various factors including infrastructure improvements. PGE encourages customers to reach out for assistance and explore available programs for managing energy costs.
Portland area residents, including those with medical needs, express frustration with Portland General Electric's lack of communication and slow response to power outages caused by an ice storm. Many customers were left without information on when repairs would be made, leading to freezing conditions in their homes for several days. PGE reported working around the clock to restore power, but customers criticized the utility for providing generic and unhelpful updates. As the outages continued, residents struggled to find alternative accommodations and expressed concerns about the upcoming ice storm.
Thousands of Portland residents, including Laurel Kurtz and Cassie Bostian, are still without power after weekend outages, resorting to makeshift heating methods and prioritizing the well-being of their pets. With homes sitting at around 45 degrees, frustration is mounting as Portland General Electric works to restore power with the help of 1400 personnel from California, Idaho, and Washington.
Tens of thousands of people in and around Portland are still without power after a powerful winter storm brought snow, ice, and high winds over the weekend, causing thousands of reported outages. At its peak, over 150,000 customers were affected, with more than 70,000 Portland General Electric customers and around 7,800 Pacific Power customers still in the dark on Monday morning. Crews are working to restore power, but some repairs may not happen until tomorrow. Residents are advised to prepare emergency kits and take precautions to prevent power surges and food spoilage during outages.
Portland General Electric (PGE) warns that the extreme heat and high demand for power during this week's 100-degree temperatures could stress the local power grid, potentially leading to power outages in the region. PGE encourages customers to limit power usage during peak hours and be prepared for unexpected outages. Local government agencies are providing cooling shelters as the Willamette Valley braces for multiple days of extreme heat. PGE does not plan to implement a "public safety power shutoff" during this heat wave.