Portland General Electric to Seek Rate Increase

The utility has requested an increase of nearly 4% for residential customers beginning in July, with a public comment hearing set for Nov. 10.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Utilities

Isometric editorial illustration of a single weathered wooden utility pole on a grassy ridge against a pale sky and evergreen forest edge. — Portland General Electric has asked Oregon regulators for a nearly 4% residential rate increase starting in July, averaging about $8 a month. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Portland General Electric has requested a rate increase of nearly 4% for residential customers, which would take effect beginning in July. The Public Utility Commission of Oregon will host a virtual public comment hearing on Nov. 10.

Why it matters

The utility serves about 840,000 residential customers in Oregon, and the proposal would average about $8 a month per customer. Portland General Electric said the increases are needed to reduce outages and improve reliability.

The proposed increase averages about $8 a month for residential customers, following a 5% rate increase in April. The Oregon Citizens' Utility Board says billing rates have risen about 50% since 2021, and the commission has not yet decided on the request.

The players

Portland General Electric

A private electric utility serving about 840,000 residential customers across Oregon and the subject of the proposed rate increase.

Public Utility Commission of Oregon

The state regulator that reviews utility rate requests and will host the virtual public comment hearing on Nov. 10.

Oregon Citizens' Utility Board

A state consumer advocacy group that reported Portland General Electric's billing rates have increased about 50% since 2021.

The details

Portland General Electric said the increases are needed to replace and upgrade utility poles, customer meters, distribution equipment and transmission lines. The FAIR Energy Act's winter rate-hike ban prohibits private utilities from raising rates between Nov. 1 and March 31, which shapes the timing of the request.

2021: Billing rate increases began, according to the Oregon Citizens' Utility Board.
April: Portland General Electric raised rates by 5%.
Nov. 10: The Public Utility Commission of Oregon will host a virtual public comment hearing.
July: The proposed rate increase would take effect.

Utility Landscape

Under the FAIR Energy Act, private utilities in Oregon are barred from raising rates between Nov. 1 and March 31, so the timing of this request reflects that statutory window. The request is the eighth year in a row that Portland General Electric has sought a rate increase, a pattern that has drawn scrutiny from state consumer advocates.

If approved, the increase would add about $8 a month to a typical residential bill, on top of the 5% rise in April. Oregonians can submit written comments to the commission or join the hearing to weigh in before a decision is made.

The takeaway

Residential customers who want their views on the request considered can submit written comments under docket number UE 743 or join the Nov. 10 virtual hearing before the commission decides.

What happens next

The Public Utility Commission of Oregon will hold a virtual public comment hearing on Nov. 10, and the requested increase would take effect beginning in July.