PORTLAND, Ore. (May 5, 2026) — Pacific Power has filed a general rate case with the Oregon Public Utility Commission outlining a plan aimed at stabilizing customer rates in the near term while delivering modest relief in 2027.
Under the proposal, residential customers would see little to no change in their electricity bills throughout 2026. Rates would then decrease in the first half of 2027, followed by a minimal net increase beginning in July 2027. If approved, interim rates would take effect June 5, 2026, and remain in place while regulators conduct a full review of the case.
Company officials say the plan is designed to balance affordability with the need to maintain and upgrade critical infrastructure.
“Affordability is an ongoing concern for our customers,” said Rick Link, senior vice president of regulation and planning for Pacific Power. “Our job is to deliver safe, reliable power and keep costs as low as possible, while making the necessary investments needed for long-term reliability. We’ve worked hard to manage what we can and provide predictability for our customers.”
The filing reflects mounting cost pressures facing utilities, including rising prices for materials used to maintain and replace power lines, poles and equipment, as well as increasing insurance costs tied to wildfire risk.
Pacific Power also highlighted its participation in emerging energy markets as a way to control costs. The company reports it has delivered more than $297 million in customer benefits in Oregon through its involvement in the Western Energy Imbalance Market and expects additional savings through the Extended Day-Ahead Market, which optimizes electricity purchasing across the region.
To support lower-income households, the utility pointed to programs such as the Oregon Low-Income Discount Program, which currently assists more than 70,000 customers statewide with bill reductions ranging from 20% to 80%, depending on income eligibility. Additional assistance is available through community-based programs, including the Oregon Energy Fund and federal energy assistance initiatives.
Customers also have access to tools aimed at managing energy costs, including time-of-use pricing, equal-pay billing options and energy tracking through the company’s online platform and mobile app. In partnership with the Energy Trust of Oregon, Pacific Power customers can also access rebates and resources to improve energy efficiency.
State regulators are expected to review the proposal in the coming months before issuing a final decision.
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