Tells the PUC to look at the economic impact of a proposed rates if the rates lead to certain revenue results.
Directs the Public Utility Commission to consider the cumulative economic impact of a proposed rate or schedule of rates on a public utility’s ratepayers if the proposed rate or schedule of rates will result in an increase of the public utility’s revenue in this state by 2.5 percent or more. Requires a public utility that provides electricity or gas services to provide and make public a visual representation of cost categories included in the public utility’s residential customer rates for the preceding calendar year.
This is like squeezing a balloon and not expecting it to pop. If residential customers have limits on the timing and the amount of their rate increases, it creates a situation where the difference in what a utility is authorized to recover from those customers will need to be collected or recovered from everyone else.
Natural gas rates have not been raise as much or as frequent as electric rates. Under this measure, it will make it harder for natural gas utilities to invest in the infrastructure needed to deliver reliable energy to Oregon’s hospitals and schools, and to operate and decarbonize their systems. The bill will harm customers by raising their rates, not lowering them. The bill requires utilities to carry more debt for longer periods, which will result in higher debt costs for customers and increased utility bills – contradictory to CUB’s mission to look out for the welfare of residential customers.
This is legislature making a problem, not solving anything.
EMAIL JOINT WAYS MEANS COMMITTEE
I oppose HB 3179 Making ends meet is hard enough. I say don’t raise our utility bills.