Facing a chilly reality: Oregon's largest electric utilities are temporarily halting service cutoffs for vulnerable customers until the end of the year. This decision offers a lifeline to those struggling to keep the lights on, but it also highlights the complex challenges surrounding utility affordability.
Published on November 8, 2025, this news, reported by Ted Sickinger of The Oregonian/OregonLive, reveals that Portland General Electric (PGE) and Pacific Power are stepping in to prevent disconnections for low-income and medically vulnerable customers.
PGE, serving approximately 950,000 Oregonians, will protect those enrolled in its income-qualified bill discount program, available to households earning at or below 60% of Oregon's median family income. Pacific Power, with over 800,000 customers in Oregon, Washington, and California (with the majority, 630,000, residing in Oregon), is following suit. They'll extend this protection to their low-income discount program participants (68,000 in Oregon) and those certified as medically vulnerable (2,700).
The numbers paint a stark picture: in the first half of 2025, over 28,000 customers of these two utilities had their service disconnected. This temporary reprieve comes after a period of significant rate hikes and a surge in disconnections. Previous moratoriums during the COVID-19 pandemic and earlier this year, while providing temporary relief, led to a build-up of unpaid bills, leaving many at risk as they head into the winter.
But here's where it gets controversial... The federal government shutdown has further complicated matters, delaying funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). In 2025, this program provided $41 million in bill payment assistance to Oregonians. PGE alone estimates that around 19,000 households in its service area have lost access to this crucial funding.
PGE's director of customer service, Allison Rowden, emphasized the company's commitment to supporting customers through bill assistance programs. A group of 18 Oregon lawmakers also urged the utility commission to take action to prevent shutoffs during the government shutdown. Senator Deb Patterson highlighted the difficult choices families face, emphasizing that no one should have to choose between food and heat.
And this is the part most people miss... The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision temporarily suspended food stamp aid, further exacerbating the financial strain on vulnerable families.
Oregon utility regulators have been in ongoing discussions with investor-owned utilities regarding service cutoffs, even mandating weekly reporting earlier this year. Nolan Moser, executive director of the Oregon Public Utility Commission, noted that while the agency could mandate a moratorium, voluntary agreement from the utilities proved faster.
Here's a thought-provoking question: Who should ultimately bear the cost of these moratoriums and discount programs?
Ratepayers will ultimately shoulder the financial burden, an issue that's becoming increasingly pressing with rising rates and program expenses. The commission and utilities are still working out how to track and recover these costs. Discussions with gas utilities are still pending, as their disconnections typically increase in January.
Eligible PGE customers can find enrollment information for discount programs. Pacific Power customers can also get information on bill payment assistance.
Correction: The original version of this story said regulators were talking with gas utilities about a similar service cutoff moratorium. Those discussions are not yet underway.
Ted Sickinger is the newsroom's business and economy editor.
What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you think the utilities' actions are sufficient, or should more be done to protect vulnerable customers? Share your opinions in the comments below!
