| Restructuring for Residential Consumers |
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If you’re a residential customer or small business* served by Portland General Electric or Pacific Power, you can choose from a number of power options:
1. Basic Service Option
This is the standard service option. You’ll stay on this rate unless you enroll in a different option.
2. Renewable Resource Options†
Fixed Renewable – You can buy a fixed amount of electricity each month from new renewable resources. Pacific Power´s Blue Sky block program supports wind resources. PGE´s Clean Wind program supports wind, solar and bio-gas facilities.
Renewable Usage – You can get all of your electricity from renewable resources. Pacific Power´s Blue Sky Usage program is a mix of new wind, biomass and solar resources from 3 Phases Energy Services. PGE´s Green Source program is a mix of new wind resources and existing geothermal and low-impact hydroelectric resources from Green Mountain Energy Co.
Habitat – This option is the same as Renewable Usage, but you also make a monthly contribution toward restoration of native salmon habitat.
3. Time of Use Option
If you sign up for this option, the price you pay for electricity depends on when you use it — during on-peak or off-peak hours. (PGE´s program also has a mid-peak period.) You may save money if you significantly reduce your electricity use during on-peak hours; otherwise, you may pay more than under Basic Service. Your utility will install a special meter to track your usage by time period. You will be required to pay a monthly charge to help pay for the meter.
There’s a price guarantee with an initial 12-month commitment: After the first year, you will receive a credit to the extent your energy charges exceed what they would have been on the Basic Service rate by more than 10 percent. The monthly meter charge is excluded from this cost adjustment.
Still Regulated, Still Reliable
The Oregon Public Utility Commission regulates all these electricity options. They were developed by an advisory group that included representatives of the Citizens´ Utility Board, Associated Oregon Industries, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), Fair and Clean Energy Coalition, Renewable Northwest Project, League of Oregon Cities, City of Portland, the Public Utility Commission staff, Oregon Department of Energy, Pacific Power and PGE. The advisory group continues to make recommendations to the Commission to improve the options.
No matter which one you choose, your utility will continue to maintain the poles and wires that deliver your electricity and provide customer service, meter reading and billing. Your utility cannot change any of the options, or their prices, without the Commission’s approval.
When to Choose
You can enroll anytime. You also can change renewable resource options at any time. The time-of-use option has a 12-month minimum term.
For More Information
Portland General Electric - 1-800-542-8818
Residential customers:
http://www.portlandgeneral.com/home/products/power_options/default.asp
Small business customers:
http://www.portlandgeneral.com/business/products/power_options/
Pacific Power - 1-800-769-3717
Residential customers:
www.pacificpower.net/Natigation/Navigation1845.html
Small business customers:
www.pacificpower.net/Navigation/Navigation5186.html
Green Mountain Energy Company - 1-866-468-6633
www.greenmountain.com/services/OR/index.jsp
3 Phases Energy Services - 1-866-42-POWER
http://www.3phases.com/
*Small business customers also may choose a market-based rate (for example, daily pricing) or power from an alternative electricity supplier. (See power options for Nonresidential Consumers.)
† The supplier buys power or unique claims on the electricity produced from renewable resources. "Existing" facilities are those in operation before July 1999. Idaho Power also offers its Oregon customers a renewable resource option.
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