Senate approves expansion of Oregon Energy Assistance Program; ratepayer charges to double
Summary
The Senate passed House Bill 3792 B to double funding for the Oregon Energy Assistance Program from $20 million to $40 million, increasing monthly residential surcharges and raising the cap for large commercial contributors; sponsors cited rising disconnections and medical-vulnerability concerns.
The Oregon Senate on June 26 approved House Bill 3792 B to expand the Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP) by increasing the program’s rate‑payer funding from $20 million to $40 million.
Senator Reynolds, carrying the bill, said OEAP prevents residential electricity shutoffs for low-income Oregonians and is funded through monthly utility surcharges rather than general or lottery funds. Under the proposal, the typical residential surcharge for Pacific Power or PGE would rise from roughly 70¢ per month to about $1.40 per month; the cap on large commercial contributions would increase from $500 to $1,000 per month.
Reynolds said the bill responds to widespread rate increases since 2021 and to nearly 58,000 residential shutoffs in 2024 for PGE and Pacific Power customers, and argued the expansion would protect medically vulnerable customers who rely on electricity for life-supporting devices. The bill passed on third reading after no senators requested debate.
