Oregon PUC Seeking Public Comment on Pacific Power Proposed Rate Increase

The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is hosting a virtual event tomorrow night for the public to comment on Pacific Power's general rate increase filing that proposes an increase to electricity rates. The event will be held Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m.. It will provide the opportunity to speak directly to the commissioners about the proposed rate increase. Customers may also submit comments in writing or by phone through June 14th. Pacific Power -- which provides electrical services to 627,000 Oregon customers -- filed a request to increase overall revenues by $322.3 million or approximately 17.9% for all customer types combined. If approved by the PUC, residential single-family customers using an average of 950 kilowatt hours per month would see a bill increase of $30.66. For a residential customer in a multi-family home using an average of 650 kilowatt hours per month, bills would increase by $18.51. Actual percentage increases will vary depending on customer type and usage. Pacific Power's general rate increase filing is undergoing a nearly year-long review and will be fully investigated on behalf of electricity customers by the PUC, the Oregon Citizens' Utility Board and others. If approved, new rates are expected to go into effect on January 1, 2025. Access to Zoom link and phone-in details at "bit.ly/44bnMi6 ...Read more

SOU Earns 10th Tree Campus Designation from National Arbor Day Foundation

Southern Oregon University has been honored by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus USA for the 10th consecutive year in recognition of SOU's commitment to the effective management of its urban forest. Tree Campus Higher Education -- a program that began in 2008 -- recognizes US colleges and universities for promoting healthy tress and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation. SOU -- which first earned the distinction in 2014 -- is one of 411 higher education institutions nationwide to receive the most recent recognition. SOU earned the Tree Campus designation by fulfilling the program's five standards for effective campus forest management: maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and a student service-learning project. Trees on campus and in urban spaces can lower energy costs by providing shade cover, cleaner air and water, and green space for students and faculty. ...Read more

National Weather Service Posts Freeze Watch for Portions of Southwest Oregon

The National Weather Service has posted a Freeze Watch for parts of southwest Oregon that starts late tonight and runs until Tuesday morning. The Freeze Watch is in effect for western Josephine and eastern Curry counties including the Illinois Valley communities of Cave Junction, Selma, O'Brien and Takilma. Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 30 degrees are possible. Frost and freezing conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation. It could also possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. NWS officials said cloud cover could moderate temperatures and keep them above freezing. Right now, there is a 60% chance of freezing. Officials said to take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. ...Read more