Following a wind storm that struck the region Christmas night and into the morning of December 26, homes and businesses on Western Oregon Electric Co-op lines stretching from Vernonia to Timber, Buxton, and beyond are still without power, and there’s no estimate when electricity will be restored.
utilities
State regulators approve more electricity rate hikes for Oregonians in 2025
Most Oregonians in 2025 will see residential electricity rates nearly 50% higher than they were just five years ago.
Sen. Wyden calls on Oregon’s largest electric utility to detail true drivers of massive rate hikes
Oregon’s U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat, issued a public letter Monday to Portland General Electric CEO Maria Pope requesting she provide documentation within 30 days of customer use and load growth, as well as details about how the company has spent historic federal subsidies meant to reduce ratepayer burden
Hundreds without power near Banks
More than three hundred Portland General Electric customers near Banks were without power Wednesday morning after a tree fell on a utility line, PGE said.
Utility watchdog asks state to intervene on proposed double-digit electricity rate hikes
If the state’s two largest electric utilities get what they’ve asked for, their 1.5 million customers in Oregon could pay 40% more for electricity next year than they did just three years ago.
Learn about wildfire preparedness and power shutoffs at PGE event in Banks
Portland General Electric is hosting a public event in Banks Wednesday, June 5 to showcase their 2024 Wildfire Mitigation Plan, gather feedback from PGE customers, and spread the word about wildfire preparedness and public safety power shutoffs.
City coloring contest open until April 30
The city of Banks National Drinking Water Week Coloring Contest, an annual event held by the city for young customers of Banks’ municipal water system is open for entries until April 30 at 1 p.m. Prizes include gift cards, a certificate, and reimbursement for part of a water bill.
City water customers north of Highway 26 on boil water notice due to 400 gallon per minute leak
Customers on Banks’ municipal water system north of Highway 26, an area outside city limits, were having their water turned off, the city said Wednesday afternoon. No reason was given, but more information was promised.
Power’s out in Banks, school will release at regular time Thursday
In Banks and North Plains and the rural areas surrounding them, close to 3,500 customers were without power. The Banks School District said that all power was out, which was also affecting phone and internet service.
“All schools will dismiss at the regular time,” the district said.
Oregon receives $157 million to expand broadband access
Oregon will receive $157 million from the federal government to help connect about 17,000 homes and businesses to the internet, the White House announced Wednesday.
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