Portland General Electric Raising Rates For Second Time This Year

PORTLAND, OR — Starting May 9, Portland General Electric's 900,000 customers will pay around 8 percent more than they did last year. That's because for the second time this year, they are raising rates.

The first hike was a 4 percent boost that went into effect on January 1. Starting May 9, there will be an additional 3.6 percent increase on top of that. With both hikes, the average customer will pay a couple of more dollars every month, according to PGE.

The Oregon Public Utilities Commission PUC), which approved the increase, said that both were necessary because of higher fuel and operating costs. the money will also help pay for the cost of wildfire mitigation and related expenses.

It wasn't all bad news from the Public Utilities Commission.

PGE has agreed to stop requiring deposits from residents when they first establish electricity service.

The deposits had been used because of customers who had credit problems, according to the Oregon Citizens Utility Board, which represents residential customers before the PUC.

Deposits "contribute to energy burdens and housing insecurity, while doing nothing to improve service," according to the board.