In February, Pacific Power proposed double-digit rate hikes that would begin next year. Now, the Oregon Public Utility Commission wants to hear what the public thinks about the proposal. According to a news release from the commission, the rate hikes include:

• 21.6% increase for residential users

• 22.4% for small commercial users

• 10.4% for large commercial users

• 14.1% for industrial users

• 22% for irrigation users

A virtual event hosted by the utility commission on Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m. will allow individuals to ask questions about the rates and voice their opinions on them, which if approved would go into effect on Jan. 1.

In addition to speaking with the commissioners on Tuesday, consumers may also submit comments in writing or by phone through June 14.

Pacific Power provides electricity services to 627,000 households in Oregon. The utility seeks to increase its overall revenue by $323.3 million after increasing rates by an average of 17.9% for all customer types combined.

If the rate change is approved, the bill for a residential single-family customer using an average of 950-kilowatt hours per month would increase by $30.66, the commission said.

A customer in a multifamily home such as an apartment building, using an average of 650 kWh per month, would see an increase of $18.51 per month.

“To date, the PUC has received nearly 350 comments from the public with many citing concerns with the impact of higher rates on residents,” said Kandi Young, public information officer with the Oregon Public Utility Commission.

Pacific Power cites several reasons for the increases, including investments in transmission infrastructure, renewable generation projects and wildfire and vegetation management costs. Public comments are part of the review process, which concludes in December.

To access the Zoom link for the meeting go to: https://bit.ly/44bnMi6 and look for the Zoom link in the document.

Comments can be submitted directly to the public utility commission by calling 503-378-6600 or 800-522-2404 or by emailing PUC.PublicComments@puc.oregon.gov

By mail, comments can be sent to Oregon Public Utility Commission, Attn: AHD — UE 433, PO Box 1088, Salem OR 97308-1088.

To be added to a distribution list that updates the public on this case, submit a request to puc.hearings@puc.oregon.gov or call 503-378-6678. Specify Docket No. UE 433 in the request.