Paying For Wildfire Prevention... But Not Litigation

Pacific Power Seeks 10.8% Rate Increase for Oregon Customers

Jul 23, 2026

www.corvallisnow.com

It is now possible Oregon residents served by Pacific Power will see an increase in their electric bills as the utility asks state regulators to approve a new general rate case. If approved by the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC), the proposal would raise residential rates by 10.8% beginning in April 2027.

According to Pacific Power, the increase would amount to about $15.61 per month for a typical residential customer. The proposal is now under review by the Oregon Public Utility Commission, which has the authority to approve, reject, or modify the request.

It's a timely announcement, given the current wildfire situation across the state. Pacific Power said the request is driven by the rising costs of operating and maintaining Oregon's electric grid, along with investments in wildfire prevention, reliability improvements, aging infrastructure, and compliance with Oregon's clean energy requirements.

"Affordability is an ongoing concern for our customers," said Rick Link, Pacific Power's senior vice president of regulation and planning. "We understand the impact rising costs have on households, and we're working to balance those concerns while continuing to invest in the safety, reliability, and resilience of Oregon's electric system."

Pacific Power has also stated that the proposed rate increase is not intended to recover costs associated with pending wildfire litigation. However, investments in wildfire prevention are included.

(Photo via Pacific Power Wildfire Prevention Resources)

The proposal will be the subject of public meetings hosted by the Oregon Public Utility Commission. The hearings are part of the formal rate case process, where commissioners, consumer advocates, businesses, and members of the public can weigh in before a final ruling is issued.

For many Oregon households, this latest proposal comes after several consecutive years of higher electric bills. Exact customer impacts vary depending on usage and prior adjustments, but recent years have brought a steady stream of changes.

In 2024, Oregon regulators approved roughly a 9.8% residential rate increase. In April 2026, a second rate adjustment was approved by the PUC… the adjustment was tied to power costs and renewable energy programs.

The proposed increase also arrives as PacifiCorp continues defending itself against numerous lawsuits stemming from Oregon’s devastating 2020 Labor Day wildfires. The utility has already paid hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and continues to face additional litigation.

The PUC is expected to spend several months reviewing the filing before making a final decision. Under Oregon law, commissioners can approve the request as filed, modify it, or reject portions of it. The issue will be closely watched over the next several months as decisions are made.

This article was written by Derek S., a contributor to The Corvallis Inquirer. Feel free to send us your stories or articles to publish at: editor@corvallisnow.com