Powering Medical Equipment
Have a plan in place
Have a plan in place
Do your medical needs require electricity? If so, make sure you have a plan in case of a power outage.
No one can predict when an outage might happen. If you depend on life-support or other medical equipment, or medication that needs to be refrigerated, it’s important to be prepared.
Owning a backup generator can give you peace of mind. Or, make sure you have a way to relocate temporarily during an extended outage. It’s also a good idea to have an outage kit and communication plan in place. The preparedness checklist in our medical needs brochure 
can help you think through your plan.
While PGE works to restore power as quickly as possible to all customers, it is your responsibility to have a backup system and plan in place for power outages or other emergencies.
Apply to the PGE Medical Certificate program so we know who you are and can support you with:
Outreach from PGE Advisors during outage events and Public Safety Power Shutoffs
Support in building an outage back-up plan
Coordination and information sharing with helping agencies and emergency services for critical unmet needs
Specialized team to help with more flexible billing and payment arrangements throughout the year
Who’s eligible?
Anyone whose qualified medical provider can affirm their electricity need due to a medical condition, including:
Customers with medical equipment (such as oxygen) or a medical need for electricity (such as a fridge for insulin)
Customers who have extreme health risks and mobility concerns
How do I enroll?
Download the Medical Certificate application.
Your qualified medical provider (MD, nurse practitioner, physician's assistant) must fill out the application
Once completed, follow the instructions on it to return it to us
The Medical Certificate program does not:
Prevent disconnection if you don’t pay your bill or call us to make arrangements
Provide a discount on your electric service
Mean your power is restored first in an outage, so it’s important to have a plan in place
The Medical Certificate Team is available at 503-612-3838, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions about the program.
Backup generators
Generators can be a convenient backup during a power outage when used correctly. Review safety tips to protect yourself and our crews.
Surge Protection
Understand power surges and surge protection options to help prevent equipment damage.