Jan. 30, 2008

PGE customers help Oregon HEAT warm hearts and homes in time for Valentine’s Day
PGE customer donations help thousands of families stay warm this winter

Portland, Ore. — Portland General Electric (PGE) and Oregon HEAT are working together this February to help thousands of low-income Oregon families pay their electricity bills during the winter months.

Twice a year — in November and February —PGE includes donation envelopes in customers’ electricity bills. Oregon HEAT uses the funds to assist families who cannot afford to heat and light their homes. PGE customers may use the envelopes to donate directly to Oregon HEAT. Donations are spent in the local communities from which they come.

Oregon HEAT is a nonprofit organization located in Tualatin that works year-round to help low-income families meet their energy costs and achieve energy self reliance. Oregon HEAT works with 34 local social service agencies around the state to distribute funds to families in need.

Last year, Oregon HEAT distributed $1.4 million to help more than 5,500 Oregon households in PGE’s service territory keep the heat and lights on.

PGE customers and employees make up a large part of Oregon HEAT’s total contributions having donated more than $280,000 in 2007 alone. 

“PGE is proud to be a longtime supporter of Oregon HEAT,” said Margo Bryant, PGE special needs policy manager and Oregon HEAT board member. “Sometimes families struggle to meet all their bills and need help keeping the heat on during winter months. That is where Oregon HEAT steps in. They play such an important role in our community.”

Roger Rees, Oregon HEAT executive director, estimates some 428,000 households in Oregon are at risk of not meeting their basic needs of heat, lights, food, medicine or roofs over their heads.

“The people of Oregon are known as generous and caring, and PGE as a business typifies this uniquely Oregonian trait,” Rees said. “With an increasing number of Oregon families on the verge of not meeting their basic needs, a catastrophe of any kind can throw them into crisis. We are thankful for how PGE customers and employees step up to the plate to help keep Oregonians warm and safe in their homes.”

PGE has also supported the organization with corporate contributions including in-kind donations of office space, telephones and other assistance.

To make a donation, PGE customers may use the Oregon HEAT donation envelope included in their February billing statements. They may also call Oregon HEAT directly at 503-612-3790 or visit OregonHeat.org.

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