Press release: FAIR Energy Act (HB 3179) heads to Governor’s Desk!

Energy affordability bill empowers regulators to curb rising energy bills, limit billing rate increases, and improve transparency of for-profit utilities.

SALEM, OR — Late Tuesday, the Oregon Legislature passed the Fairness & Affordability in Residential (FAIR) Energy Act (HB 3179) with bipartisan support. The bill, focused on reining in the impact of utility rate hikes, now heads to Governor Kotek’s desk to be signed into law. After widespread public outcry in 2024 over rising energy bills from Oregon’s for-profit utilities, this legislation seeks to address root causes of Oregon’s energy affordability crisis.

The FAIR Energy Act (HB 3179) empowers state regulators to help families avoid big increases in energy bills. This legislation limits how often utilities can ask for bill increases and when they can raise customers’ rates. It also gives the Oregon Public Utility Commission more flexibility in considering the economic impacts of utility bills on Oregonians.

“I have heard repeatedly from my constituents how frustrated they are with the dramatic and repeated increases in their utility bills,” said State Representative Nathan Sosa (D-Greater Hillsboro). “This bill will prevent the historic price shocks we have seen in recent years.”

“Oregonians are struggling with unpredictable, poorly explained utility rate hikes that strain family budgets,” said State Senator Janeen Sollman (D-Washington County)“House Bill 3179, the FAIR Energy Act, fixes this by requiring real-world impact assessments before rate increases, banning winter hikes, and ensuring clearer billing—delivering the affordability, fairness, and transparency our constituents need."

“Energy utility service is not a luxury, it is a necessity – yet more than one in four Multnomah County residents struggle to afford their utility bills,” said Jessica Vega Pederson, Multnomah County Chair. “This bill strengthens our safety net, protecting community members from steep rate increases and unexpected shut-offs that can profoundly impact their health and stability.”

The FAIR Energy Act limits how often utilities can raise billing rates for customers. This bill spreads out utility rate increase requests to every 3 years by 2027, with added protections before 2027. It also prohibits residential rate increases during peak winter months, when energy usage is highest.

“The FAIR Energy Act is proof that the principle, 'nothing about us without us,' is key to addressing the needs of the community in utility spaces. Dozens of community members shared their experiences and pain points with rate increases, power shutoffs, and unmanageable debt in a time of economic uncertainty and inflation. Our job as advocates is to create spaces for utility customers to openly express their needs and concerns, and to draft legislation that protects and empowers the people we serve,” said Greer Klepacki, Policy and Advocacy Manager, Community Energy Project.

Energy bills have risen dramatically over the past few years for Oregon households. PGE and Pacific Power have raised billing rates by nearly 50 percent since 2021; NW Natural is projected to match this in November 2025. The state’s largest for-profit utilities have filed rate increase requests nearly every year since 2020. In 2024, these utilities disconnected nearly 70,000 households due to past-due bills, a record-breaking number.

“This bill is a powerful example of what happens when community-rooted policy meets strong advocacy,” said Anahí Segovia Rodriguez, Energy Justice Coordinator, Verde. “The FAIR Energy Act is a strategic, people-centered solution that brings fairness to the timing of utility rate increases — and relief when it’s needed most.”

“Oregonians are sick and tired of paying for skyrocketing utility bills while for-profit corporations rake in record profits,” said Jamie Pang, Deputy Director of Programs and Policy, at the Oregon Just Transition Alliance. “We thank the legislature for taking important steps to ensure all Oregonians, especially low-income families, have access to affordable energy.”

In addition to protections on when and how utilities can raise rates, the bill will increase transparency. HB 3179 requires utilities to regularly report expense categories like investments or fuel prices, as well as expected changes to rates. This will help consumers know what they are paying for and plan for energy bill increases in advance. 

“We’ve seen a huge response from customers who are fed up with constant energy bill increases. Last year, nearly 5,000 Oregonians wrote to the Public Utility Commission about rate hikes. Before 2024, we would see maybe 200 public comments a year,” said Jennifer Hill-Hart, Policy & Program Director, Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board. “We are pleased to see lawmakers listening to the needs of communities.” 

The FAIR Energy Act is a cornerstone of the 2025 Energy Affordability Package, a suite of legislation to address energy affordability and protect Oregonians from rising utility costs. HB 3179 passed the Oregon House on June 23, 2025. With the Oregon Senate’s vote, the bill now heads to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. 

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MEDIA CONTACT: 
Charlotte Shuff
Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board
503.719.8744 | charlotte@oregoncub.org