7/2/2026: POWER Act Press Conference Remarks

POWER Act Press Conference Remarks

Thank you all for being here.

Affordable electricity is a necessity for Oregon households and Oregon businesses. I know from my time at Oregon Food Bank that the pressure of paying a high electricity bill keeps people from putting food on the table for their families. And for small businesses with tight margins, every increased cost is factor in whether they can stay open. At a time when Oregonians are already feeling the pressure of higher costs, we have a responsibility to make sure electricity remains affordable.

That's why, last year, the Legislature passed, and I signed into law, the POWER Act - the Protecting Oregonians With Energy Responsibility Act.

The idea behind the law is simple: if a customer uses an extraordinary amount of electricity and requires major investments in new power lines, substations, and other infrastructure, they should pay their fair share of those costs. Oregon families and small businesses shouldn't be left picking up the tab.

This matters because Oregon is experiencing unprecedented growth in electricity demand, driven in large part by the rapid expansion of data centers and other very large industrial customers. These facilities can consume as much electricity as a small city.

That's simply not fair. And that's exactly what the POWER Act is designed to address.

Because of the POWER ACT, the Oregon Public Utility Commission is currently reviewing a proposal for new electricity rates that better reflect who is driving these infrastructure costs. Under this proposal, large data centers would see a 29 percent rate increase, while residential and small business customers would see a rate decrease. Next week, the Oregon Public Utility Commission will complete its review of that proposal.

The Commission's work is incredibly important. They have the responsibility to carefully review the numbers, make sure the law is applied correctly, and ensure these rates are just and reasonable for consumers.

The PUC's actions will represent an important milestone in carrying out the intent of the POWER Act - creating a more equitable system where the customers driving the greatest demand on our electric grid pay the costs associated with that demand.

We must have a growing economy that welcomes investment AND an energy system that protects the people who live here.

I'll continue monitoring and supporting the Public Utility Commission's work to ensure that data centers and other large energy users pay their fair share instead of shifting those costs onto Oregon families and small businesses.