Pacific Power rate increase is approved by Oregon regulators

The Oregon Public Utility Commission has approved a rate increase of about 8.5% for Pacific Power customers, cutting the utility’s proposed rate increase by nearly half.

The commission’s decision Thursday regarding PacifiCorp, also known as Pacific Power, approved the overall increase for all customer types combined, including residential, commercial and industrial customers, to take effect Jan. 1.

PacifiCorp had requested a 17.9% increase in its original general rate application.

Why is Pacific Power increasing rates?

Commission officials said drivers for the overall rate increase include capital investments in transmission, generation and other infrastructure, as well as cost increases related to wildfires.