In our Fall 2024 Consumer Survey, Oregon Consumer Justice (OCJ) partnered with the research nonprofit Oregon Values and Beliefs Center (OVBC) to ask Oregonians if PacifiCorp should be allowed to pass the cost of recovery and restoration from the wildfires onto consumers or taxpayers.

A majority of Oregonians—76% of respondents—believe the company should bear the financial impacts of the 2020 fires and not pass these costs onto consumers or taxpayers.

Why this matters

Pacific Power serves more than 620,000 Oregonians and has steadily increased residential electricity rates since 2021. While the company cites many reasons for rate increases, the Oregon Public Utility Commission approved Pacific Power’s request for a nearly 10% increase in 2025 to help cover the cost of restoration following the 2020 fires, which Pacific Power was responsible for starting. 

What to watch for

Several Oregon lawmakers have introduced legislation during the 2025 legislative session that would prohibit utility companies from raising rates if they are still resolving wildfire lawsuits.

The details

Last year, Pacific Power’s parent company, PacifiCorp, filed a request with Oregon’s Public Utility Commission (PUC) to protect itself from wildfire liability–even in cases of misconduct or willful negligence. In a significant victory for consumers, the PUC denied PacifiCorp's request after OCJ and other advocacy organizations intervened.