Energy Affordability Act (House Bill 2475) Passes Oregon Senate with Bipartisan Support

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, May 13th, 2024

CONTACT:
Damon Motz-Storey, [email protected], 303-913-5634
Allie Rosenbluth, [email protected], 541-816-2240
Joel Iboa, [email protected], 541-357-7664

Communities celebrate as the Energy Affordability Act heads to the Governor’s Office for final approval to allow energy discounts for low-income Oregonians and greater participation in energy decision making for BIPOC, rural, and low-income communities

[Salem, OR] -- Today, with bipartisan support, the Oregon Senate passed a historic bill for working families across the state. The Energy Affordability Act (HB 2475), passed with 18 votes in favor, including Republican Senator Tim Knopp (R-Bend). The bill, which would alleviate energy burden in Oregon, will now move on to Governor Brown’s office for her signature. The bill is the first of three pieces of environmental justice legislation put forward and supported by the Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity campaign.

Today’s approval of HB 2475 in the Senate was preceded by statements in support by Senator Lee Beyer (D-Springfield) and Senator Kate Lieber (D-Beaverton). Senator Kayse Jama (D-Portland) carried a floor letter in support of the bill with a wide range of organizational endorsements and also spoke to the urgent need to provide relief for energy burdened Oregonians (those who are low-income and pay more than 6% of monthly income on energy bills) in both rural and urban districts. Click here for a link to the recording of the session.

The Energy Affordability Act tackles high energy bills that burden working people by giving the Public Utility Commission (PUC) the authority to allow utilities to provide rate designs, such as discounts, that help reduce energy burden for low-income or other under-served customers. The bill also ensures that organizations who represent the people most impacted by energy burden will be able to access funding to participate in regulatory processes in the same manner as other broad customer groups, like the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board. The bill is supported by a broad range of stakeholders including BIPOC-led organizations, utilities, ratepayer advocates, and labor unions.

Community members from across Oregon celebrated the passage of HB 2475, the Oregon Energy Affordability Act:

“The high electric bills that people have to pay month to month have caused many families to struggle,” said Maria Dolores Torres, a 25-year resident of Beaverton and a mother of three. “I support the Energy Affordability Act because this bill will change the lives of many community members and low-income families like mine. As I was raising my children, many times I had to choose between giving them healthy foods or maintaining a warm home. It was very difficult to pay high electric bills and on top of that pay other utilities as well as keeping up with monthly rent. This bill will help change that.”

“Oregonians living on the South Coast, like other rural counties, bear the brunt of the low income energy burden in the state and will directly benefit from the Energy Affordability act,” said Abby Oberg, a resident of Coos County. “Access to affordable energy is critical as no one should have to choose between basic necessities, especially in a pandemic when more people are staying home and spending more as a result.”

"I have witnessed students experiencing energy insecurity shivering on Zoom classes this past winter and know that there is a great need for energy affordability in Eastern Oregon," said Roy Barron, a teacher and Hermiston City Council member. "I am glad that the Energy Affordability Act passed the Oregon House & Senate and I celebrate that this will allow for rate structures and discounts for low-income Oregonians working hard to keep the lights and heat on." 

"We are thrilled to see the Energy Affordability Act pass the Oregon Senate and head to the Governor's desk to become law," said Alma Pinto, Climate Justice Associate at Community Energy Project. "This bill will help ensure that the Public Utility Commission receives the real, on-the-ground expertise from community-based organizations representing low-income Oregonians, rural communities, and Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color. We have seen first-hand how important this input is as we advocate for ways to reduce arrearages or past-due energy bills and prevent utility shut offs and disconnections."

“Passage of HB2475 represents an essential step toward Oregon addressing energy affordability for our most vulnerable friends and neighbors,” said Samuel Pastrick, Advocacy Manager at the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board. “Oregon Citizens' Utility Board (CUB) applauds lawmakers as well as the diverse community of organizations and everyday Oregonians who led this incredible effort. CUB is excited to work with many of these same community groups to implement the new law.” 

During the pandemic and wildfire crises, many Oregonians have struggled to make ends meet. Energy burden, which is the share of someone's income that goes toward paying their energy bills, has increased across the state. Rural residents, especially in Southern and Eastern parts of the state, have some of the highest rates of energy burden in Oregon. 

The Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity campaign is led by organizations in communities across Oregon that are burdened by energy bills and pollution and who have much to gain from economic development in the clean energy sector. Learn more at www.oregoncleanenergy.org. 

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