OR PUC to consider rate changes for data centers
By Terry Murry on Monday, July 6th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – The Oregon Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is holding a meeting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday to establish new rates for data centers and other large-energy users. The meeting is due to the Protecting Oregonians With Energy Responsibility (POWER) Act, which was passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2025.
Sponsors of the POWER Act intend it to protect Oregonians from higher utility rates due to increased power usage by large energy users. The commission is considering a proposal to increase rates for data centers by 29 percent and decrease rates for most residential and other business customers.
In the long term, the POWER Act is intended to slow upward pressures on residential and small business customer rates resulting from data center development, according to a release from Gov. Tina Kotek’s office.
The PUC is hosting the meeting remotely. The call-in number is 669-254-5252. The meeting ID is 165 522 4101. The passcode is 4416683420. Here is the Link to Meeting
File photo of PUC headquarters in Salem
