Oct. 09, 2007

PGE donates additional $50,000 to Oregon HEAT bringing this year’s total combined support to $379,000
Additional donation to help residents with BPA Exchange Credit suspension

Portland, Ore.— Oregon HEAT, the state’s largest non-profit organization providing energy assistance to low-income Oregonians, can now provide additional help this winter thanks to an additional $50,000 contribution from Portland General Electric. This additional donation brings PGE’s total combined support to Oregon HEAT’s fiscal year 2006-2007 to approximately $379,000 including about $265,600 in customer donations and about $13,000 in employee contributions.

This additional $50,000 funding is earmarked to help low-income Oregonians specifically with this winter’s electricity costs directly related to the suspension of the BPA Residential Exchange Credit, which hit electricity bills for PGE and other Northwest utilities’ customers in June. The credit suspension increased the typical residential customer’s monthly bill by $10.66 (based on average residential electricity usage of 900 kwh per month).

“The BPA Residential Exchange Credit suspension is an ongoing hardship for many of our low-income customers,” said Bill Nicholson, PGE’s vice president for customers and economic development. “We hope this additional funding will provide much-needed support during the winter months to our most affected customers while we continue to work diligently with BPA and other stakeholders to get those credits restored.”

Oregon HEAT partners with 34 local community service agencies to distribute assistance to families in crisis, targeting Oregon’s most vulnerable citizens: the elderly, disabled and families with young children.  Last year, Oregon HEAT spent over $2.74 million to provide crisis help to nearly 9,400 households across the state.

“PGE‘s generous donation ensures hundreds of local families will be able to keep the heat and power on this winter,” said Roger Rees, executive director of Oregon HEAT.  “This funding wholly demonstrates PGE’s commitment to the community.” 

The demand for critical energy assistance continues to increase to unprecedented levels.  In just one year, the number of eligible households in Oregon has spiked from 419,000 to 428,000.  

“We’re very concerned with how the loss of the BPA Residential Exchange Credit will affect low-income families this winter,” Rees added. “One thing’s for sure — Oregon HEAT needs to step-up its fundraising efforts. PGE deserves special recognition for this outstanding contribution.  We hope this gift inspires other local businesses to support Oregon HEAT.”

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