PGE Rates: Your Dollars at Work
PGE works to keep prices as low as possible while we deliver safe, reliable and increasingly clean energy to customers. To support this essential work, starting Jan. 1, 2025, new rates will take effect. // En EspañolÂ
New customer prices for 2025
On Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, PGE received a decision regarding our requested 2025 rate review.
The resulting rate changes, ranging from 5.6% to 7.8% based on customer type, will take effect Jan. 1, 2025, and support the essential investments and maintenance needed to improve the reliability of the power grid and keep prices as low as possible.
This chart provides an estimated price increase by customer class.
Why we are strengthening the power grid
Upgrading the power grid to meet growing customer needs and protect against severe weather means making ongoing improvements. This includes moving power lines underground in areas at high risk for fires, replacing aging poles and wires, and adding more backup power with large-scale battery storage systems. These investments help protect the energy system and keep your power more reliable in periods of high demand, like during extreme heat or cold.
Here are some examples, past and present, of the benefits these improvements are providing. For more details on our major projects, PGE Projects page.   Â
More underground power lines to improve safety and reliability
The Scoggins-Cherry Grove Underground Conversion project will provide year-round resilience from seasonal wildfire and winter storm damage by improving safety and reliability, and by reducing potential Public Safety Power Shutoff outages. It involves undergrounding nearly ten miles of overhead power lines and adds to the nearly 17,000 miles of lines we have already buried – more than 60% of our distribution lines.
System upgrades with smart technology to reduce outages and prevent damage
We are deploying an Early Fault Detection network to identify and fix equipment issues proactively, helping improve reliability and minimize outage time, such as in the Mt. Hood area, on a system that powers more than 10,000 customers.
We've installed nearly 400 smart devices – impacting about 200,000 customer so far – to prevent damage to our equipment that could lead to extensive outages. These devices also provide real-time grid information to enable faster restoration if outages do occur.
Our rapid fault location, isolation and service restoration program also uses smart protective devices to automatically restore power in the event of a fault or an outage. It can reduce outage time from hours to minutes.
New battery storage systems can provide backup power during outages and spikes in demand
The Constable, Seaside, Sundial and Coffee Creek battery energy storage projects help PGE deliver clean, low-cost, reliable power for up to four hours for about 425,000 homes.
These facilities are located near where people live and work, so they can be ready to use to keep the power on during emergencies.
Batteries offer flexibility by storing energy generated during periods of low demand, for use during periods of high demand, to keep costs low and the power flowing.
New wind generation makes energy more dependable and lowers energy costs
In its first ten months serving PGE customers, the Clearwater Wind Energy Center produced enough electricity to power the equivalent of 830,000 homes, or about half the number of homes in Oregon. This is especially helpful during periods of high energy use.
How customer prices are set
At PGE, we're committed to keeping our prices as low as possible while delivering to our customers the safe, reliable and increasingly clean energy they expect. To support this, we work with the Oregon Public Utility Commission to conduct an open and public process called a general rate case. Learn about how this model safeguards customers and enables PGE to maintain the electric grid and meet our customers' needs.
What is a regulated utility?
PGE has the privilege and responsibility to serve all customers in our area with safe, reliable and increasingly clean energy, while keeping prices as low as possible. Since investors provide upfront funding for improvements, costs can be spread over many years.
We work with regulators to ensure final rates are fair and reasonable.
How do power costs impact PGE and customers?
PGE generates and distributes power to our customers. We also buy electricity from other sources (known as the "open market") when we need to supplement power to fulfill our customers' needs. Over the last five years, the cost of electricity on the open market has tripled.
There are several factors that may require PGE to purchase energy on the open market. Some of those reasons include:
Cost-effectiveness - Sometimes it's cheaper to buy power rather than generating it ourselves.
Periods of peak demand - We may need to buy power to meet additional customer demand during peak times, like on very hot days or cold mornings when people are using more energy.
Emergency backup - If there's an unexpected issue with one of our own systems, we might need to purchase power from the market to maintain reliable power for customers.
What are the supplementals/other charges that impact customer rates?
Supplemental adjustments show up on your bill in the regulatory charges and credits section. These charges help pay for customer programs, fund state and local energy organizations and recover costs associated with storms and other extreme weather events. In 2025, the increase in these charges will fund Energy Trust of Oregon energy-efficiency programs.
What is PGE doing to manage its own costs?
Despite rising energy prices over the past five years, we've worked hard to keep our operating and maintenance costs 7% lower than the inflation rate. Our focus is on managing spending and keeping operating costs as low as possible. We are meeting the increased demand for energy and the need for infrastructure investments with the same number of employees year over year. We’ve implemented new technologies that result in efficiencies and savings, while our hard-working crews continue to focus on serving our customers safe and reliable power.
Resources to help reduce energy use and costs
We’re here to help everyone get access to the energy they need.
There are many resources available to renters and homeowners — some are based on income eligibility and others are available to all incomes.
Understanding your bill
In January, when prices change, you will see it reflected on the back of your bill. In the bill details section, you'll find specific line items where we've prorated the charges. For line items that are prorated, we'll include how many days within your billing cycle are included at that rate.
For more information, check out our Understanding My Bill page.
What is Energy Trust of Oregon?
Energy Trust of Oregon is a public-purpose organization dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy generation. Energy Trust programs are funded by a small percent charge on your electric bill. Visit Energy Trust for details, applications and a list of trade ally contractors.
