Oregon is home to the deepest river gorge in North America ? Hells Canyon at 8,000 feet. The deepest lake in the U.S is Oregon?s Crater Lake, which was formed when a volcano collapsed around 150 years ago.

Aside from its natural beauty, Oregon?s energy deregulation laws are an important time in its history. Starting in 2002, the state?s primary utility companies, Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp allowed retail competition to begin supplying electricity. This was an important step as it allowed for a change in the way customers received charges on their energy bills.

There are two parts to an energy bill: distribution and supply. Distribution indicates how electricity is sent to a residence or business and is still maintained by utility companies today.  Supply, on the other hand, defines where the electricity comes from and customers have the option to pick the supplier that provides the best service.

Some Oregon based retail suppliers include:

– Constellation Energy
– Direct Energy
– Iberdrola Renewables
– Noble Americas Energy Solutions

Since deregulation began, 38.7% of the state of Oregon?s energy consumption is from Portland General Electric, 27.9% from Pacific Power, 29.5% from Consumer Owned Utilities and 3.9% from Electric Service Suppliers.

Oregon Energy Incentive Programs

Oregon offers many different programs to incentivize its energy consumers to increase the states electric efficiency. Most of them depend on the location of the customer within the state, but all offer savings and other benefits.

One of the state?s biggest programs is the Energy Trust of Oregon. It is an independent non-profit organization that provides utility customers energy efficient solutions with low rates. With opportunities such as, on-the-ground outreach, technical services, cash-back promotions and information on local contractors helps this program to achieve their goals.

In a little over a decade, this program has contributed an additional $3.9 billion to the state?s economy and prevented 14.6 million tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.

Fast Facts about Oregon?s Energy Market

There is more to know about Oregon?s electricity than the history of deregulation. The following information provide a few quick facts about the development of the state?s energy market:

– Northwestern Oregon is home to The Mist field. It is the only natural gas producing field in the Pacific Northwest.
– As of 2015, the state has 404 electric vehicle-charging stations and almost 1000 charging outlets.
– Ranked 3rd in the nation for geothermic potential.
– 73% of the state?s total electricity generation renewable energy resources and hydroelectric plants (in 2014).

Oregon?s Biggest Cities

As America?s ninth largest state, Oregon has many urban areas, which contain a variety of residences, businesses and industries. The law requires many of these areas to allow energy consumers to choose their supplier.

These cities include:

Oregon?s Top Utilities

Most of Oregon?s utilities offer free alternative retail energy providers to their customers.  All customers have the freedom to decide whether or not to switch suppliers, however they also have the option to remain with their utility.

The following is a list of some of the state?s biggest utilities:

Blatchly-Lane Electric ? 1-541-688-8711
Central Electric Cooperative ? 1-541-548-2144
Columbia River Public Utility District ? 1-503-397-1844
Consumers Power ? 1-541-929-3124
Douglas Electric Cooperative ? 1-541-673-6616
Hood River Electric Cooperative ? 1-541-354-1233
Lane Electric Cooperative ? 1-541-484-1151
Portland General Electric ? 1-800-542-8818
Salem Electric ? 1-503-362-3601
West Oregon Electric Cooperative ? 1-503-429-3021

All consumers need to call their utility in an energy emergency situation. If there is a downed power line or other electric crisis, suppliers typically will not provide any service.