PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland General Electric (PGE) has announced temporary measures to protect vulnerable customers from electricity disconnections during the ongoing U.S. federal government shutdown. The company said it will expand holds on service disconnections for households enrolled in its Income-Qualified Bill Discount and medical certificate programs, ensuring affected families continue to receive essential power services.
The decision comes as thousands of Oregon residents face financial strain due to delayed or halted federal assistance programs. PGE stated that these temporary protections are being added to its existing winter safeguards, which already prohibit residential service disconnections during extreme weather conditions.
“These steps are intended to make sure our customers can maintain safe and reliable electric service during this period of uncertainty,” PGE said in a statement.
Also Read
Impact on Low-Income Customers
Approximately 19,000 households across PGE’s service area have reportedly lost access to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) because of the federal shutdown. While LIHEAP remains unavailable, PGE clarified that its Income-Qualified Bill Discount Program is not affected by federal operations and will continue providing relief to eligible customers.
Residents participating in this program will continue receiving bill discounts based on income level and household size. Eligibility is open to Oregon households with incomes at or below 60% of the state’s median family income.
Expanded Protection for Medical and Income-Qualified Customers
In addition to supporting low-income families, PGE’s temporary policy also covers customers with medical certificates, ensuring that individuals who rely on electrical equipment for health-related needs will not experience power disconnections.
These protections will remain in place until normal operations of federal aid programs resume. PGE has not specified an end date but said it will monitor the situation closely and make adjustments as needed.
Commitment to Community Support
PGE emphasized that the initiative is part of its ongoing commitment to community well-being and reliable service. The company encouraged customers who are struggling to pay their bills to reach out directly for assistance or to apply for available discount programs.
“Even during uncertain times, our goal remains the same — to keep the lights on and support the communities we serve,” the utility said.
By temporarily halting disconnections and maintaining financial aid programs, Portland General Electric aims to provide stability to thousands of Oregonians facing hardship during the federal shutdown.
