In late August, Gov. Tina Kotek signed four bills that reshape how Oregon regulates electricity rates and large energy users, while expanding protections for residential customers. The bills are meant to lower costs, make utilities more accountable, and put residential customers, not big data centers, first.
New Rules for Massive Power Users
House Bill 3546 directs the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) to create a separate service classification for large energy use facilities such as data centers. It’s designed to ensure that these high-demand users cover their own costs rather than shifting them on to other electricity consumers.
Limits on Rate Hikes
House Bill 3179 is designed to protect residential utility customers. No more winter rate hikes for residential customers between Nov. 1 and March 31. Until Jan 2027, utilities can’t raise rates more than once every 18 months. Utilities must also publish a clearer breakdown of what makes up their residential rates.
Doubled Funding for Low-Income Bill Assistance
House Bill 3792 doubles the annual funding for low income electric bill assistance, from $20 to $40 million dollars, and improves program transparency and oversight.
Performance-Based Oversight of Utilities
Senate Bill 688 establishes a performance-based regulation framework for investor-owned electric utilities, to better align the utilities’ operations with the public interest, including environmental, reliability, equity, and affordability outcomes.
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