What has CUB done for YOU lately?

Since 1984, CUB has saved Oregon utility ratepayers more than $3.9 billion dollars. The good news is that we're just getting started! See how we've fought for you over the years:

2005—CUB saves Pacific Power ratepayers $76 million in 2006 rates by attaining PUC agreement on collection of "phantom taxes," billing cycle length, and other issues. For Idaho Power customers, CUB wins a reduction of 86% off the requested rate increase.

2005—CUB Board of Governors passes a resolution to more directly address the impacts of global warming, particularly the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from large-scale utility energy production.

2005—CUB helps write and pass Senate Bill 408, which requires that utility company taxes collected must "more closely align" with taxes paid to state and federal gov't.

2005—CUB leads the opposition to purchase of PGE by Texas Pacific Group, convincing the Public Utility Commission to deny the investment corporation's $2.35 billion bid. In addition, CUB leads the negotiation with MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co. regarding purchase of PacifiCorp, gaining rate credits for customers, "ring-fencing" protections for the utility within the corporate structure, and significant commitments on renewable energy production.

2004—CUB wins agreement to reduce PGE 2005 proposed rates by $3.5 million to reflect costs associated with high priced purchased power contracts that CUB believes are not prudent.

2004—CUB stops PGE from adding a surcharge to bills to collect $26 million. The company claimed that it had incurred higher costs in 2003 due to low hydro power and that customers should pay a surcharge beginning in 2004 to allow it to recover those costs.

2004—CUB reaches agreement with PacifiCorp, Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming to ensure that Pacific Power’s hydro electric resources will continue to be dedicated to Pacific Power customers in the Northwest and not used to reduce rates for their customers in Utah and Wyoming.

2004—CUB wins agreement to reduce NW Natural’s rates by $1.5 million and prohibit the company from charging customers for the cost of parking until 2013. This grew out of discoveries that NW Natural had improperly accounted for costs and revenues associated with property sales and parking in downtown Portland.

2003—CUB defends public purpose funds, dedicated to energy conservation and renewable energy development, preventing the legislature from redirecting the money to balance the state's budget.

2001—The new Energy Trust of Oregon is created to administer new energy conservation and renewable energy investments mandated by the Fair and Clean Energy Plan.

2000—CUB's referendum on HB 3220 appears on the ballot as Measure 90. The bill, passed by the Oregon legislature and signed by the governor, would have allowed PGE to collect profits it would have made on the Trojan plant if it had remained open. The bill would have overturned the CUB's previous court victories. Over one million Oregonians vote "NO" and prevent the law from going into effect.

1999—CUB helps create the Fair and Clean Energy Plan in the Oregon legislature, which protects residential electric consumers from being deregulated, mandates significant energy conservation and renewable energy investments, and creates a state fund for low-income bill payment assistance.

January 1999—CUB convinces the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) to reject Enron/PGE's radical deregulation plan, which would have raised customer rates by 17.8%.

June 1998—An Oregon Court of Appeals backs CUB's position that state law prevents PGE from collecting $300 million in profits it would have made on Trojan if it had remained open until 2011.

January 1998—CUB wins agreement to end the practice of having residential customers subsidize energy costs incurred to serve industrial customers, saving electric ratepayers more than $40 million per year.

1997—CUB wins conditions on the PGE/Enron merger that guarantee $140 million in rate reductions, maintain service quality, and require Enron to invest in energy efficiency programs, renewable energy development and programs to protect endangered salmon.

1996—CUB gains largest electric rate reduction in Oregon history. PGE customers see their bills go down by more that $50 per year, on average.

1995—CUB forces Idaho Power to reduce its planned rate hike from 22% to 5%, saving thousands of East Oregonians more than $100 per year.

1993—The Oregon Supreme Court sides with CUB and orders US West to refund $15.5 million to customers.

1991—The PUC approves CUB's request to return utilities' property tax savings to customers.

1987—CUB wins the first utility refund in Oregon 's history, worth $11 million, from US West.

1986—In the face of opposition from CUB, Northwest Natural Gas drops its request for a rate hike of $29 million.

1985—After a CUB challenge, GTE withdraws a request to increase phone rates by $7.4 million.