Hello friends, 

Another gas company is trying to make their customers help cover the cost of keeping us hooked on fossil fuels. It’s happening to Southern Oregonians, and they need our help. 

Avista Gas, the gas utility serving most of Southern Oregon, is currently in front of the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) seeking to raise an additional $10.9 million a year, which would result in an average 8.1% increase to residential gas bills. This comes on the heels of an 18% increase just last year.

This request is to cover, among other things, continued spending on expanding the gas system and paying subsidies for new customers to join, when we know that the gas system must shrink to meet Oregon's climate goals. Avista is also asking to charge ratepayers for a variety of anti-climate political activities, including dues paid to industry front groups like the American Gas Association.

Oregon is in the midst of a massive energy transition, from polluting fossil fuels to clean renewable energy. But as we move closer to our climate goals, the gas industry is trying to protect the status quo and keep our communities hooked on polluting fossil fuels. Increasing energy bills to pay for continued expansion of the gas system has to stop. Energy burdens are already too high, and disproportionately so for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and Pacific Islander communities in Oregon. 

We can’t leave our communities on the hook for further climate harm and higher bills for decades to come. Tell the OPUC regulators to reject Avista's irresponsible rate hike.

The Breach Team

PO Box 5291, Eugene, Oregon 97405

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