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House committee hears ‘Fair Energy Act’ to require customer impact analysis, limit winter rate increases
Summary
Lawmakers and advocates pressed for a bill that would require the Oregon Public Utility Commission to consider residential economic impacts before approving rate hikes; utilities and business groups warned the changes could raise borrowing costs and reduce investment.
Representative Nathan Sosa (D–House District 30), the bill sponsor, opened the House Rules Committee public hearing on House Bill 3179, the Fair Energy Act, saying the measure would require the Oregon Public Utility Commission to consider the cumulative economic impact of proposed electricity and natural gas rate increases on residential customers and add new transparency and timing limits for rate changes.
"The current rate setting process is simply not working for most Oregonians," Representative Nathan Sosa said. "The dramatic price spikes and record disconnections we've seen simply are not sustainable." He described provisions that would let the PUC phase in large increases, bar residential rate increases from taking effect Nov. 1–March 31, require a customer-facing visual breakdown of cost categories, and require utilities to file an annual forecast of expected rate adjustments.
The bill drew extensive support from consumer advocates and community groups. Jennifer Hillhart, policy and program director at the Oregon Citizens Utility Board, told the committee HB 3179 "has always been about centering customers."…
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