Learn about the charges and adjustments on your bill and when to notify us before a move.
Basic Charge
The Basic Charge supports fixed costs such as meter reading, equipment, maintenance and billing necessary to serve customers, regardless of the energy used. This is a charge for having service available and is billed even if no electricity is used.
Energy Use Charge
The Energy Use Charge is the amount of electricity used multiplied by the cost for energy as stated in your rate schedule. For residential customers, kilowatt-hour (kWh) charges are on a tiered rate structure. Energy charges for Time of Use customers will be broken out into different rate periods.
Transmission and distribution charges
Transmission and distribution charges cover the cost of bringing power to you, including the cost of maintaining utility poles, lines, substations, transmission towers and other equipment.
Renewable Energy
If you opt to choose either Green SourceSM or Clean WindSM renewable power, a separate charge for that option will appear on your bill. If you choose to add Habitat Support that charge will also appear as a separate line item.
Adjustments
Adjustment schedules are listed separately from your energy costs for transparency and because they occasionally change. Adjustments may be added, may expire or may change from debit charges to credit charges or from credit charges to debit charges. To learn about an adjustment, click on the adjustment schedules or call PGE Customer Service at 503-228-6322 or 800-542-8818. (TTY Relay for the hearing impaired 800-735-2900).
Low Income Assistance
This $0.50 charge, mandated by state law, provides funding for low-income residential customers who are unable to pay their electric bills in times of crisis. Due to the ongoing economic challenges in our state, the Oregon Housing and Community Services department requested a 12-month temporary increase of $0.35 per month and the increase was broadly supported by customer and low-income advocates.
The Oregon Public Utility Commission directed electric companies to begin collecting this additional charge on Oct. 5, 2011. If economic challenges persist, state law mandates that the temporary charge may continue for an additional 12 months, ending in 2014. As utilities collect the funds, they are distributed to community organizations to assist customers in paying their bills.
Public Purpose Charge (3 percent)
This charge funds energy efficiency, renewable resources, energy efficiency in schools and low-income energy efficiency and housing programs. Mandated by state law, this is a fee expiring Jan. 1, 2026. PGE does not keep these funds; they are distributed to organizations with energy-efficiency programs, including the Energy Trust of Oregon.
Late payment charge
A late payment charge of 1.7 percent may be applied to past-due billings.
Other important information
- When you move
Please call PGE at least five days before you move. This will allow us to get a final meter reading and ensure that service is available at your new location if you move within the PGE service area.
- Past due payments and returned checks
If your payment is past due, you will receive a notice through the mail. If you receive a past-due notice, please call PGE at 800-542-8818 or 503-228-6322 or visit one of our PGE Customer Service locations.
If your check is returned unpaid due to insufficient or uncollectible funds, we may resubmit it to your bank electronically and assess a fee for the transaction.
- Employee identification
Our employees carry PGE identification with a photograph. Don’t hesitate to ask for identification before admitting a PGE employee onto your premises.
Learn more about your rights and responsibilities as an Oregon utility customer.