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PUC Approves 13% Electric Rate Hike by Associated Press KTVZ, May 30, 2007

SALEM, Ore. - Oregon's Public Utility Commissioners approved an immediate rate hike today averaging 13% for most residential and small-farm customers in the state.

The move was expected after last week's decision by the Bonneville Power Administration to suspend payments to private utilities under the residential exchange program.

The program allowed investor-owned utility customers to reap some of the benefits of cheap hydroelectric power produced by the federal dam system. Investor-owned utilities don't buy power directly from BPA.

The PUC says a typical PGE residential bill will go up by $10.66 a month while the typical residential bill for a PacifiCorp customer will increase by $9.62 a month.

Commission Chairman Lee Boyer says he hopes the increases are temporary.