Understanding My Bill

Guide to charges and other important information

Basic charge

Supports fixed costs such as maintenance, billing and customer service, 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 amount of electricity you 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

These charges cover the cost of bringing power to you, including the cost of maintaining utility poles, lines, substations, transmission towers and other equipment, and restoring power after storms.

Renewable energy

If you opt to choose renewable power from Green Source℠, Clean Wind℠ or Green Future℠ Solar, 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 debits to credits or vice-versa.

To learn about an adjustment, review the adjustment schedules or call PGE Customer Service at 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.

Oregon’s ongoing economic challenges prompted the Oregon Housing and Community Services department to request temporary increases, effective since 2011 and broadly supported by customer and low-income advocates.

State law has mandated that the temporary charge continue, currently at an additional $0.34. 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 1.9 percent may be applied to past-due billings.

Learn more about your rights and responsibilities as an Oregon utility customer.

Moving? Moving?

Please let us know 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.

Having trouble paying your bill? Call us to make arrangements: 503-228-6322 or 800-542-8818. Past due payments

If your payment is past due, you will receive a notice through the mail and an automated phone call. If you receive a past-due notice, please call PGE at 800-542-8818, or visit one of our PGE Customer Service Locations.

Employee Identification 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.