PGE wants to raise rates 14%. Here’s why
Portland General Electric is asking the state’s regulatory body to allow it to raise rates for residential customers by an average of 14% starting next year. The utility says the increases will raise an estimated $338 million to pay for capital investments and cover rising costs in wholesale power and fuel. According to the Citizens Utility Board, the increase is the largest request PGE has made in Oregon in more than 20 years. The proposed increase would hit different types of customers by different amounts. According to the board, an average multi-family housing customer would see their monthly bill increase by 16.3%, to $112.61 from $96.80. An average single-family residence would see its bill jump by 15.9%, to $165.82 from $143.11. Industrial customers would have a smaller increase. Any rate increases would go into effect Jan. 1. Portland General Electric’s rates went up an average of 7% in January. (Bill Poehler/Salem Statesman Journal)
Multnomah County DA announces auto, retail theft task forces
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt has announced two new task forces aimed at reining in increasing auto theft and organized retail theft in the Portland metro area. Nearly 11,000 vehicles were reported stolen in Portland in 2022, an increase of 52% from 2017. Schmidt said there were more than 26,000 thefts reported in Multnomah County in 2022, representing a 10% increase from 2020. The city and county are both chipping in funding for the upcoming fiscal year. Multnomah County is expected to contribute $418,000 to fund two deputy district attorney positions for a year, pending board approval. Portland will fund two investigators and a legal assistant in the DA’s office. (Anna Del Salvio/Portland Tribune)
Commercial crabbing closes along part of Oregon’s southern coast
Part of Oregon’s southern coast is closed to commercial crabbing, as of Monday. The closure impacts the region just north of Winchester Bay down to Cape Blanco. Commercial crabbers are required to gut all crab harvested from that region. Recent test results show high levels of domoic acid, a naturally occurring toxin that’s produced by algae. State officials say recreational crabbers should always gut crabs before cooking them. That includes removing the viscera, internal organs and gills. Commercial crabbers are required to gut all crab harvested from that region. (April Ehrlich/OPB)
Clatsop Community College provides free tuition to Chinook Indian Nation
After a soft rollout during the spring term, Clatsop Community College has begun offering free tuition to members of the Chinook Indian Nation. Chris Breitmeyer, the college president, said the benefit will be permanent. “This lowers another barrier for that population and allows them to come without having to worry about tuition or financial aid,” he said. Breitmeyer said the idea came from a conversation he had with a college staff member about the Chinook Indian Nation’s lack of federal recognition. The Chinook were briefly recognized two decades ago and continue to press the U.S. government for recognition. “We just thought — hey, wouldn’t it be great for us to do something to recognize them in a way we could,” he recalled. (Ethan Myers/The Astorian)
Researchers use drones to scare wolves away from livestock
Researchers from USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in Southern Oregon are testing drones as non-lethal tools to protect livestock from wolves. The most effective tactic the researchers have tried so far involves outfitting drones with audio recordings of human voices. If wolves approach livestock, the drones fly toward the wolves, shouting warnings such as, “Hey wolf, get out of here!” In initial experiments, when the wolves heard the recordings, they immediately turned and ran. Researchers started the project last summer after officials confirmed the Rogue Pack had killed several livestock between July 12 and Aug. 1. Ranchers are excited about the project’s potential. “I think it’s probably the best tool we have out there so far,” said Todd Nash, president of Oregon Cattlemen’s Association. (Sierra Dawn McClain/Capital Press)
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