Press Release: Energy Affordability Act (HB 2475) Passes Oregon House of Representatives with Bipartisan Vote
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, March 16 2024
CONTACT:
Damon Motz-Storey, , 303-913-5634
Energy Affordability Act (HB 2475) Passes Oregon House of Representatives with Bipartisan Vote
Historic bill to address energy burden for low-income families moves forward to Oregon Senate after receiving 36 votes in favor in the Oregon House of Representatives.
[Salem, OR] -- Today, with bipartisan support, the Oregon House of Representatives passed a historic bill for working families across the state. The Energy Affordability Act (HB 2475), passed with 36 votes in favor including two Republicans: Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) and Rep. Ron Noble (R-McMinnville). The bill, which would alleviate energy burden in Oregon, will now move on to the Oregon Senate for an Energy & Environment committee hearing and referral to the Senate floor.
Today’s approval of HB 2475 in the House was preceded by statements in support by Rep. Karin Power (D-Milwaukie), Rep. Khanh Pham (D-Portland), Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Ashland), and Rep. Brian Clem (D-Salem). Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-Portland) carried a floor letter in support of the bill with a wide range of organizational endorsements that also spoke to her patients’ medical needs for electricity access. Click here for a link to the recording of the session.
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 bill is supported by a broad range of stakeholders including BIPOC-led organizations, utilities, ratepayer advocates, and labor unions.
“It has never been clearer that energy is a human right and we must make sure that everyone can afford to keep their heat and lights on,” said Alessandra de la Torre, Energy Justice Organizer with Rogue Climate. “For months, Rogue Climate and other organizations in our community have been supporting southern Oregonians who are impacted by COVID-19 and wildfires in getting financial support for basic needs, including energy bills. House Bill 2475, the Energy Affordability Act, will provide the more comprehensive support our communities need.”
"House Bill 2475 will help our communities by ensuring that everyone's energy bills are affordable, so that low-income Oregonians are not burdened with high costs and forced to make difficult choices between heating and electricity and other basic needs," said Gustavo Morales, Executive Director of Euvalcree serving in Eastern Oregon. “Our low-income communities are especially impacted by energy burden and this bill will go a long way towards fixing that disparity and ensuring that everyone can afford to keep the lights on."
"Oregon Citizens' Utility Board advocates for the broad interests of residential utility customers. HB 2475 represents a win-win for residential energy utility customers because the bill gives the Oregon Public Utility Commission necessary tools to address energy affordability and improve participation opportunities for communities historically unable to represent their unique interests. Residential customers deserve HB 2475," said Samuel Pastrick, Advocacy Director at Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board.
House Bill 2475, 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.
House Bill 2475, the Energy Affordability Act, will now be referred to the Senate chamber and is expected to have a hearing in the Senate Committee on Energy & Environment.
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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