PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC CO /OR/ (POR)
SIC breadcrumb: Transportation, Communications, Electric, Gas, And Sanitary Services > Electric, Gas, And Sanitary Services > SIC 4911 Electric Services
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=784977. Latest filing source: 0001193125-26-052750.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read POR's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read POR's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 3,576,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-17 |
| Net income | 306,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-17 |
| Assets | 13,230,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-17 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-17. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000784977.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,923,000,000 | 2,009,000,000 | 1,991,000,000 | 2,123,000,000 | 2,145,000,000 | 2,396,000,000 | 2,647,000,000 | 2,923,000,000 | 3,440,000,000 | 3,576,000,000 |
| Net income | 193,000,000 | 187,000,000 | 212,000,000 | 214,000,000 | 155,000,000 | 244,000,000 | 233,000,000 | 228,000,000 | 313,000,000 | 306,000,000 |
| Operating income | 340,000,000 | 380,000,000 | 346,000,000 | 353,000,000 | 269,000,000 | 378,000,000 | 397,000,000 | 396,000,000 | 512,000,000 | 555,000,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 2.16 | 2.10 | 2.37 | 2.39 | 1.72 | 2.72 | 2.60 | 2.33 | 3.01 | 2.77 |
| Operating cash flow | 562,000,000 | 597,000,000 | 630,000,000 | 546,000,000 | 567,000,000 | 532,000,000 | 674,000,000 | 420,000,000 | 778,000,000 | 1,118,000,000 |
| Capital expenditures | 584,000,000 | 514,000,000 | 595,000,000 | 606,000,000 | 784,000,000 | 636,000,000 | 766,000,000 | 1,358,000,000 | 1,268,000,000 | 1,189,000,000 |
| Dividends paid | 110,000,000 | 118,000,000 | 125,000,000 | 134,000,000 | 140,000,000 | 150,000,000 | 158,000,000 | 179,000,000 | 200,000,000 | 225,000,000 |
| Share buybacks | 0.00 | 0.00 | 12,000,000 | 18,000,000 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| Assets | 7,527,000,000 | 7,838,000,000 | 8,110,000,000 | 8,394,000,000 | 9,069,000,000 | 9,494,000,000 | 10,459,000,000 | 11,208,000,000 | 12,544,000,000 | 13,230,000,000 |
| Liabilities | 5,183,000,000 | 5,422,000,000 | 5,604,000,000 | 5,803,000,000 | 6,456,000,000 | 6,787,000,000 | 7,680,000,000 | 7,889,000,000 | 8,750,000,000 | 9,097,000,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | 2,344,000,000 | 2,416,000,000 | 2,506,000,000 | 2,591,000,000 | 2,613,000,000 | 2,707,000,000 | 2,779,000,000 | 3,319,000,000 | 3,794,000,000 | 4,133,000,000 |
| Free cash flow | -22,000,000 | 83,000,000 | 35,000,000 | -60,000,000 | -217,000,000 | -104,000,000 | -92,000,000 | -938,000,000 | -490,000,000 | -71,000,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 10.04% | 9.31% | 10.65% | 10.08% | 7.23% | 10.18% | 8.80% | 7.80% | 9.10% | 8.56% |
| Operating margin | 17.68% | 18.91% | 17.38% | 16.63% | 12.54% | 15.78% | 15.00% | 13.55% | 14.88% | 15.52% |
| Return on equity | 8.23% | 7.74% | 8.46% | 8.26% | 5.93% | 9.01% | 8.38% | 6.87% | 8.25% | 7.40% |
| Return on assets | 2.56% | 2.39% | 2.61% | 2.55% | 1.71% | 2.57% | 2.23% | 2.03% | 2.50% | 2.31% |
| Liabilities / equity | 2.21 | 2.24 | 2.24 | 2.24 | 2.47 | 2.51 | 2.76 | 2.38 | 2.31 | 2.20 |
| Current ratio | 0.80 | 1.22 | 0.81 | 0.96 | 0.88 | 0.90 | 0.81 | 0.84 | 0.92 | 1.08 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001193125-26-052750; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001193125-26-052750; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001193125-26-052750; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-052750; filed 2026-02-17. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-052750; filed 2026-02-17. Concept: ProfitLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:ProfitLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-052750; filed 2026-02-17. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-052750; filed 2026-02-17. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-052750; filed 2026-02-17. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-052750; filed 2026-02-17. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-052750; filed 2026-02-17. Concept: PaymentsOfDividends. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividends.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2024 ended 2024-12-31; accession 0000784977-25-000012; filed 2025-02-14. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-052750; filed 2026-02-17. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-052750; filed 2026-02-17. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-052750; filed 2026-02-17. Concept: StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-052750; filed 2026-02-17. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-01. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000784977.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-Q3 | 2021-09-30 | 0.56 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 0.65 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 0.80 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-03-31 | 74,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 648,000,000 | 0.39 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-06-30 | 39,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 802,000,000 | 0.46 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 725,000,000 | 68,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 929,000,000 | 109,000,000 | 1.08 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-03-31 | 109,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 758,000,000 | 0.69 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-06-30 | 72,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 929,000,000 | 0.90 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 824,000,000 | 38,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 928,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 0.91 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-03-31 | 100,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 807,000,000 | 0.56 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-06-30 | 62,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 952,000,000 | 0.94 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 889,000,000 | 41,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 879,000,000 | 45,000,000 | 0.38 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001193125-26-197978; filed 2026-05-01. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001193125-26-197978; filed 2026-05-01. Concept: ProfitLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:ProfitLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001193125-26-197978; filed 2026-05-01. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001193125-26-197978.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this report includes statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to expectations, beliefs, plans, assumptions, and objectives concerning future results of operations, business prospects, loads, outcome of litigation and regulatory proceedings, capital expenditures, market conditions, events or performance, and other matters. Words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “will likely result,” “will continue,” “should,” “based on,” “conditioned upon,” “considers,” “could,” “expected,” “forecast,” “goals,” “needs,” “promises,” “subject to,” “targets,” or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed. Portland General Electric Company’s (PGE, or the Company) expectations, beliefs, and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis including, but not limited to, management’s examination of historical operating trends and data contained either in internal records or available from third parties, but there can be no assurance that PGE’s expectations, beliefs, or projections will be achieved or accomplished.
In addition to any assumptions and other factors and matters referred to specifically in connection with forward-looking statements, risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results or outcomes for PGE to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements include:
•
new or revised governmental policies, executive orders, legislative actions, and regulatory audits, investigations, and actions, including those of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Public Utility Commission of Oregon (OPUC), and the Internal Revenue Service, with respect to allowed rates of return, financings, electricity pricing and price structures, acquisition and disposal of facilities and other assets, construction and operation of plant facilities, transmission of electricity, recovery of power costs, operating expenses, deferrals, timely recovery of costs and capital investments, energy trading activities, tax credits, and current or prospective wholesale and retail competition;
•
uncertainties associated with increased energy demand or significant accelerated growth in demand due to new data centers, including the concentration of data centers, and the ability to obtain regulatory approvals, environmental, and other permits to construct new facilities in a timely manner;
•
economic conditions that result in decreased demand for electricity, reduced revenue from sales of excess energy during periods of low wholesale market prices, impaired financial stability of vendors and service providers, and elevated levels of uncollectible customer accounts;
•
increases to operating costs that could result from changes to trade tariffs, rising inflation, and volatility in interest rates;
•
the impacts of changes in the tax code, including tax rates, minimum tax rates, adjustments made to deferred tax assets and liabilities, and changes impacting the availability of and ability to transfer tax credits;
•
risks and uncertainties related to current or future All-Source Request for Proposals (RFP) projects, including, but not limited to regulatory processes, transmission capabilities, system interconnections, inflationary impacts, supply chain constraints, supply cost increases (including application of trade tariffs), permitting and construction delays, available tax credits, counterparty credit risk, and legislative uncertainty;
•
demand uncertainty and changing customer preferences and choices that may reduce demand for PGE's services or alter usage patterns, including variability in demand driven by weather variations, reduced consumption or load shifting resulting from energy efficiency measures or other changes in customer behavior, increased adoption of distributed and renewable generation, and an increased likelihood that customers procure electricity from alternative service providers such as registered Electricity Service Suppliers (ESSs) or through community choice aggregation programs;
•
the timing or outcome of legal and regulatory proceedings and issues including, but not limited to, the matters described in Regulatory Matters of the “Overview” in this Item 2, along with “Regulatory Assets and Liabilities”
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in Note 3, Balance Sheet Components and Note 8, Contingencies in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1.—“Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q;
•
natural or human-caused disasters and other risks, including, but not limited to, earthquake, flood, ice, drought, extreme heat, lightning, wind, fire, accidents, equipment failure, acts of terrorism, computer system outages, and other events that disrupt PGE operations, damage PGE facilities and systems, cause the release of harmful materials, cause fires, and subject the Company to liability;
•
severe weather and other natural phenomena, such as the greater prevalence of wildfires in Oregon, which could affect public safety, customers’ demand for power, and PGE’s financial health and ability and cost to procure adequate power and fuel supplies to serve its customers, access the wholesale energy market, or operate its generating facilities and transmission and distribution systems, and the Company’s costs to maintain, repair, and replace such facilities and systems, and recovery of such costs;
•
ignitions caused by PGE assets or PGE’s ability to effectively implement a public safety power shut off (PSPS) and de-energize its system in the event of heightened wildfire risk or implement effective system hardening programs, the inability of which could lead to potential liability if energized systems were involved in wildfires that cause harm, as well as the risk that damages from wildfires may not be recoverable through prices or insurance, resulting in impact to the financial condition or reputation of the Company;
•
impacts from legislation limiting wildfire-related liability or providing a wildfire relief fund, such as negative effects on PGE’s credit rating, which could limit PGE’s ability to access capital on terms similar to past transactions or at all and could impact PGE’s liquidity, cash flows, and capital expenditure plans;
•
operational factors affecting PGE’s power generating and battery storage facilities, including forced outages, fires, unscheduled delays, environmental impacts, hydro and wind conditions, and disruption of fuel supply, any of which may cause the Company to incur repair costs or purchase replacement power at increased costs;
•
default or nonperformance on the part of any parties from whom PGE purchases fuel, capacity, or energy, that may cause the Company to incur costs to purchase replacement power and related renewable attributes at increased costs;
•
complications arising from PGE’s jointly-owned plant, including changes in ownership, change in regulatory requirements, adverse regulatory outcomes or legislative actions, or operational failures that result in legal or environmental liabilities or unanticipated costs related to replacement power, capital improvements, repair costs, or abandoned costs;
•
delays in the supply chain and increased supply costs, failure to complete capital projects on schedule or within budget, failure to obtain permits, inability to complete negotiations on contracts for capital projects, failure of counterparties to perform under agreements, or the abandonment of capital projects, any of which could result in the Company’s inability to recover project costs, or impact PGE’s competitive position, market share, or results of operations in a material way;
•
volatility in wholesale power and natural gas prices, including but not limited to volatility caused by macroeconomic and international issues, such as the war involving the United States, Iran and Israel, that could require PGE to post additional collateral or issue additional letters of credit pursuant to power and natural gas purchase agreements;
•
changes in the availability and price of wholesale power and fuels, including natural gas and coal, and the impact of such changes, including the potential impact of trade tariffs and the war involving the United States, Iran and Israel, on the Company’s power costs;
•
capital market conditions, including availability of capital, volatility of interest rates, reductions in demand for investment-grade commercial paper, volatility of equity markets as well as changes in PGE’s credit ratings, any of which could have an impact on the Company’s cost of capital and its ability to access the capital markets to support requirements for working capital, construction of capital projects, the repayments of maturing debt, and stock-based compensation plans, which are relied upon in part to retain key executives and employees;
•
future laws, regulations, and proceedings that could increase the Company’s costs of operating its thermal generating plants, or affect the operations of such plants by imposing requirements for additional emissions controls or significant emissions fees or taxes, particularly with respect to coal-fired generating facilities, in order to mitigate carbon dioxide, mercury, and other gas emissions;
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•
changes in, compliance with, and general uncertainty around environmental laws and policies, including those related to threatened and endangered species, fish, and wildlife;
•
the effects of climate change, whether global or local in nature, including unseasonable or extreme weather and other natural phenomena that may affect energy costs or consumption, increase the Company’s costs, cause damage to PGE facilities and system, or adversely affect its operations;
•
changes in residential, commercial, or industrial customer growth, or demographic patterns, including changes in load resulting in future transmission constraints, in PGE’s service territory;
•
the effectiveness of PGE’s risk management policies and procedures;
•
cybersecurity attacks, data security breaches, physical attacks and security breaches, or other malicious acts, internally or to third parties, that cause damage to the Company’s generation, transmission, or distribution facilities, impact information technology systems, inhibit the capability of equipment or systems to function as designed or expected, or result in the release of confidential customer, vendor, employee, or Company information;
•
reputational damage from negative publicity, protests, fines, penalties and other negative consequences resulting in regulatory and/or legal actions;
•
employee workforce factors, including potential strikes, work stoppages, transitions in senior management, the ability to recruit and retain key employees and other talent, and turnover due to macroeconomic trends such as voluntary resignation of large numbers of employees;
•
failure to achieve the Company’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission goals or being perceived to have either failed to act responsibly with respect to the environment or effectively respond to legislative requirements concerning GHG emission reductions, any of which could lead to adverse publicity and have adverse effects on the Company's operations and/or damage the Company's reputation;
•
the impact of widespread health developments, and responses to such developments (such as volunt
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this report includes statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to expectations, beliefs, plans, assumptions and objectives concerning future results of operations, business prospects, loads, outcome of litigation and regulatory proceedings, capital expenditures, market conditions, events or performance, and other matters. Words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “will,” “continue,” “should,” “based on,” “considers,” “could,” “expected,” “forecast,” “goals,” “needs,” “promises,” “subject to,” “strategic imperatives,” “targets,” or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed. PGE’s expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis including, but not limited to, management’s examination of historical operating trends and data contained either in internal records or available from third parties, but there can be no assurance that PGE’s expectations, beliefs, or projections will be achieved or accomplished.
In addition to any assumptions and other factors and matters referred to specifically in connection with forward-looking statements, risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results or outcomes for PGE to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements include:
•
New or revised governmental policies, executive orders, legislative actions, and regulatory audits, investigations and actions, including those of the FERC, the OPUC, and the Internal Revenue Service with respect to allowed rates of return, financings, electricity pricing and price structures, acquisition and disposal of facilities and other assets, construction and operation of plant facilities, transmission of electricity, recovery of power costs, operating expenses, deferrals, timely recovery of costs, and capital investments, energy trading activities, tax credits, and current or prospective wholesale and retail competition;
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•
uncertainties associated with increased energy demand or significant accelerated growth in demand due to new data centers, including the concentration of data centers, and the ability to obtain regulatory approvals, environmental, and other permits to construct new facilities in a timely manner;
•
economic conditions that result in decreased demand for electricity, reduced revenue from sales of excess energy during periods of low wholesale market prices, impaired financial stability of vendors and service providers and elevated levels of uncollectible customer accounts;
•
increases to operating costs that could result from changes to trade tariffs, rising inflation and volatility in interest rates;
•
the impacts of changes in the tax code, including tax rates, minimum tax rates, adjustments made to deferred tax assets and liabilities, and changes impacting the availability of and ability to transfer tax credits;
•
risks and uncertainties related to current or future All-Source Request for Proposals (RFP) projects, including, but not limited to regulatory processes, transmission capabilities, system interconnections, inflationary impacts, supply chain constraints, supply cost increases (including application of trade tariffs), permitting and construction delays, available tax credits, counterparty credit risk, and legislative uncertainty;
•
changing customer expectations and choices that may reduce customer demand for PGE’s services may impact the Company’s ability to make and recover its investments through prices and earn its authorized return on equity, including the impact of growing distributed and renewable generation resources, changing customer demand for enhanced electric services, and an increasing risk that customers procure electricity from registered ESSs or the adoption of community choice aggregation;
•
the timing or outcome of legal and regulatory proceedings and issues including, but not limited to, the matters described in Regulatory Matters of the “Overview” in this Item 7. and Note 19, Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.— “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K;
•
natural or human-caused disasters and other risks, including, but not limited to, earthquake, flood, ice, drought, extreme heat, lightning, wind, fire, accidents, equipment failure, acts of terrorism, computer system outages and other events that disrupt PGE operations, damage PGE facilities and systems, cause the release of harmful materials, cause fires, and subject the Company to liability;
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severe weather and other natural phenomena, such as the greater size and prevalence of wildfires in Oregon in recent years, which could affect public safety, customers’ demand for power, and PGE’s financial health and ability and cost to procure adequate power and fuel supplies to serve its customers, access the wholesale energy market, or operate its generating facilities and transmission and distribution systems, and the Company’s costs to maintain, repair, and replace such facilities and systems, and recovery of such costs;
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ignitions caused by PGE assets or PGE’s ability to effectively implement a PSPS and de-energize its system in the event of heightened wildfire risk or implement effective system hardening programs, the inability of which could lead to potential liability if energized systems were involved in wildfires that cause harm, as well as the risk that damages from wildfires may not be recoverable through prices or insurance, resulting in impact to the financial condition or reputation of the Company;
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impacts from legislative action limiting wildfire-related liability or providing a wildfire relief fund, such as negative effects on PGE’s credit rating, which could limit PGE’s ability to access capital on terms similar to past transactions or at all and could impact PGE’s liquidity, cash flows, and capital expenditure plans;
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operational factors affecting PGE’s power generating and battery storage facilities, including forced outages, fires, unscheduled delays, environmental impacts, hydro and wind conditions, and disruption of fuel supply, any of which may cause the Company to incur repair costs or purchase replacement power at increased costs;
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default or nonperformance on the part of any parties from whom PGE purchases fuel, capacity, or energy, that may cause the Company to incur costs to purchase replacement power and related renewable attributes at increased costs;
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complications arising from PGE’s jointly-owned plant, including changes in ownership, change in regulatory requirements, adverse regulatory outcomes or legislative actions, or operational failures that result in legal or environmental liabilities or unanticipated costs related to replacement power, capital improvements, repair costs, or abandoned costs;
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delays in the supply chain and increased supply costs, failure to complete capital projects on schedule or within budget, failure to obtain permits, inability to complete negotiations on contracts for capital projects, failure of counterparties to perform under agreements, or the abandonment of capital projects, any of which could result in the Company’s inability to recover project costs, or impact PGE’s competitive position, market share, or results of operations in a material way;
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volatility in wholesale power and natural gas prices, including but not limited to volatility caused by macroeconomic and international issues, that could require PGE to post additional collateral or issue additional letters of credit pursuant to power and natural gas purchase agreements;
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changes in the availability and price of wholesale power and fuels, including natural gas and coal, and the impact of such changes, including the potential impact of trade tariffs, on the Company’s power costs;
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capital market conditions, including availability of capital, volatility of interest rates, reductions in demand for investment-grade commercial paper, volatility of equity markets as well as changes in PGE’s credit ratings, any of which could have an impact on the Company’s cost of capital and its ability to access the capital markets to support requirements for working capital, construction of capital projects, the repayments of maturing debt, and stock-based compensation plans, which are relied upon in part to retain key executives and employees;
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future laws, regulations, and proceedings that could increase the Company’s costs of operating its thermal generating plants, or affect the operations of such plants by imposing requirements for additional emissions controls or significant emissions fees or taxes, particularly with respect to coal-fired generating facilities, in order to mitigate carbon dioxide, mercury, and other gas emissions;
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changes in, compliance with, and general uncertainty around environmental laws and policies, including those related to threatened and endangered species, fish, and wildlife;
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the effects of climate change, whether global or local in nature, including unseasonable or extreme weather and other natural phenomena that may affect energy costs or consumption, increase the Company’s costs, cause damage to PGE facilities and system, or adversely affect its operations;
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changes in residential, commercial, or industrial customer growth, or demographic patterns, including changes in load resulting in future transmission constraints, in PGE’s service territory;
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the effectiveness of PGE’s risk management policies and procedures;
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cybersecurity attacks, data security breaches, physical attacks and security breaches, or other malicious acts, internally or to third parties, that cause damage to the Company’s generation, transmission, or distribution facilities, impact information technology systems, inhibit the capability of equipment or systems to function as designed or expected, or result in the release of confidential customer, vendor, employee, or Company information;
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reputational damage from negative publicity, protests, fines, penalties and other negative consequences resulting in regulatory or legal actions;
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employee workforce factors, including potential strikes, work stoppages, transitions in senior management, the ability to recruit and retain key employees and other talent, and turnover due to macroeconomic trends such as voluntary resignation of large numbers of employees;
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failure to achieve the Company’s GHG emission goals or being perceived to have either failed to act responsibly with respect to the environment or effectively respond to legislative requirements concerning GHG emission reductions, any of which could lead to adverse publicity and have adverse effects on the Company's operations and/or damage the Company's reputation;
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the impact of widespread health developments, and responses to such developments (such as voluntary and mandatory quarantines, including government stay at home orders, as well as shut downs and other restrictions on travel, commercial, social, and other activities), which could materially and adversely affect, among other things, demand for electric services, customers’ ability to pay, supply chains, personnel, contract counterparties, liquidity, and financial markets;
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changes in financial or regulatory accounting principles or policies imposed by governing bodies;
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acts of war, terrorism, or civil disruption; and
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uncertainties associated with the proposed Acquisition, including but not limited to, the expected closing of the proposed transaction and the timing thereof, the financing of the proposed transaction, strategies and plans, opportunities and anticipated future performance and capital structure, and expected accretion to earnings per share and free cash flow.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by law, PGE undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors or assess the impact of any such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
Overview
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to provide an understanding of the business environment, results of operations, and financial condition of PGE. MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements contained in this report, and other periodic and current reports filed with the SEC.
PGE is a vertically-integrated electric utility engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the State. The Company participates in wholesale markets by purchasing and selling electricity, natural gas, and environmental credits in an effort to meet the needs of, and obtain reasonably-priced power for, its retail customers, manage risk, and administer its long-term wholesale contracts. In addition, PGE continues to develop products and service offerings for the benefit of retail and wholesale customers. The Company generates revenues and cash flows primarily from the sale and distribution of electricity to retail customers in its service territory in the State.
Company Strategy
PGE's corporate strategy places customers at the center of everything the Company does. PGE supports energizing lives, strengthening communities, and driving advancement in energy to promote social, economic, and environmental progress. With a focus on affordability, the Company continuously innovates, streamlines, and manages costs to deliver exceptional experiences for its customers. The Company is committed to delivering steady growth and returns to shareholders. The Company is building an increasingly smart, integrated, and interconnected grid that spans from residential customers to other utilities within the region.
PGE is focused on the following strategic imperatives:
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Decarbonize Power—make progress toward customer-driven clean energy goals by continuing to add new renewable resources and products to the Company's energy mix;
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Electrify the Economy—power the lives of approximately two million residents in its service territory by supporting the region’s economic growth industries and capturing the benefits of new technologies while serving approximately two-thirds of Oregon’s commercial and industrial activity; and
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Advance Performance—build a safer and more reliable grid by accelerating cost-effective grid investments and modernizing transmission.
Pending Acquisition
On February 15, 2026, PGE, through a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into an agreement (the “Agreement”) with PacifiCorp, an indirect subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company, to acquire select Washington state generation, transmission, and electric utility operations for $1.9 billion. The Acquisition would enable PGE to extend its service to approximately 140,000 Washington customers.
Under the Agreement, if the Acquisition is completed, PGE will acquire three generation facilities: the Chehalis thermal plant (477 MW), the Goodnoe Hills wind facility (94 MW), and the Marengo I and II wind facilities (234 MW). The Acquisition would also include 4,500 miles of transmission and distribution lines, and local utility operations across approximately 2,700 square miles.
PGE intends to manage the Washington operations as a separate company through a newly created subsidiary regulated by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. PGE intends to retain current Washington employees and honor existing labor agreements. PGE corporate functions are expected to provide shared support for both Washington and Oregon companies.
The Acquisition is designed with the goal that Washington and Oregon customers would not be impacted by costs associated with executing the acquisition and transaction financing. PGE expects the Acquisition and state and federal regulatory reviews to close in approximately twelve months following the submission of regulatory applications.
Central to this Acquisition is PGE’s plan to enter into a joint venture with Manulife Infrastructure Fund III, L.P. and its affiliates, including John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), which will collectively be a minority owner of the Washington utility business. PGE would remain majority owner and sole operator.
For a more information regarding PGE’s plans to fund its future capital requirements, including this proposed Acquisition, see “Liquidity” in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this Item 7. See Note 21, Subsequent Events, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information on the pending acquisition.
Climate Change
State-mandated GHG emissions reduction targets—In 2021, the Oregon legislature passed HB 2021, establishing a 100% clean electricity by 2040 framework for PGE and other investor-owned utilities and ESSs in the State. A number of provisions in the bill align with PGE’s strategic direction, and highlight Oregon’s ambitious, economy-wide goals to combat climate change. The GHG emissions reduction targets applicable to these regulated entities are an 80% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2040 and every year thereafter. For more information regarding HB 2021 and the baseline to which the target reductions apply, see “HB 2021” in the “Laws and Regulations” section of this Overview.
Empowering customers and communities—PGE’s customers have a desire for purchasing clean energy, as over 221 thousand residential and small commercial customers voluntarily participate in PGE’s Green Future Program, the largest renewable power program by participation in the nation. In 2017, Oregon’s most populous city, Portland, and most populous county, Multnomah, each passed resolutions to achieve 100% clean and renewable
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electricity by 2035 and 100% economy-wide clean and renewable energy by 2050. Other jurisdictions in PGE’s service area have similar goals and continue to consider similar goals for the future.
The Company implemented a customer subscription option, the Green Future Impact Program, which is a renewable energy program that allows large business and municipal customers to have a choice in how they source their electricity. Under the Green Future Impact Program, customers can enroll in a Customer-Supplied Option (CSO) or PGE-Supplied Option (PSO). Under the CSO, participants are responsible for finding a renewable energy facility that meets established requirements and bringing those resources to PGE. Under the PSO, customers who enrolled in Phase I can receive energy from PGE-provided PPAs for renewable resources and customers who enroll in Phase II can receive energy either from PGE-provided PPAs for renewable resources or energy from renewable resources that are PGE owned, under certain conditions.
As of December 31, 2025, the Green Future Impact Program has an approved capacity of 750 MW nameplate, of which 482 MW have been subscribed. Through this voluntary program, the Company seeks to support customers’ clean energy acceleration.
Severe weather—In recent years, PGE’s service territory has experienced unprecedented heat, historic ice and snowstorms, and wildfires. In December 2025, Portland, Oregon experienced the warmest December on record, averaging six degrees above normal temperatures for the region. In January 2024, the Company’s service territory encountered a severe winter weather event, including snow, ice, and high winds that caused catastrophic damage to physical assets and resulted in widespread customer power outages. For more information regarding the January 2024 severe winter weather event, see “Declared States of Emergency” within this Overview section. In August 2023 the region experienced a record-breaking heat wave with temperatures reaching all-time recorded highs for the month. This resulted in a peak load demand of 4,498 MW, exceeding the Company’s previous all-time peak load demand, and surpassing the prior summer peak load by nearly six percent. The increase and severity of weather events highlights the importance of combating the effects of climate change through decarbonizing the power supply and investing in a more reliable and resilient grid.
Investing in a Clean Energy Future
The Resource Planning Process—PGE’s resource planning process includes working with customers, stakeholders, and regulators to chart the course toward a clean, affordable, and reliable energy future. With the passage of HB 2021, PGE created a Clean Energy Plan (CEP), which articulates the Company’s strategy to make continued progress towards the 2030, 2035, and 2040 emission reduction targets through an equitable transition to a decarbonized grid. The CEP is based on, and was submitted to the OPUC in connection with, the Company’s 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) in March 2023, the first combined IRP and CEP. That filing projected PGE’s resource and capacity needs over the next 20 years and proposed an Action Plan to meet near-term needs, subject to HB 2021 emissions reduction requirements.
On June 18, 2025, PGE submitted a CEP/IRP Update to the OPUC. The CEP/IRP Update identified a new Preferred Portfolio as a result of the refreshed analysis. PGE did not propose any changes to the Action Plan that was acknowledged within the 2023 CEP/IRP, which supports the Company's progress toward emissions targets and Preferred Portfolio resource need procurement through the 2025 All-Source RFP. This approach represents the best combination of cost, risk, community benefit, and decarbonization.
To better distinguish resource needs, the CEP/IRP Update reports the capacity from hybrid solar and battery storage resources by individual technology. The capacity need is 3,500 to 4,500 MW of renewable energy and non-emitting capacity, inclusive of 2023 RFP projects, which remain under negotiation.
The actions summarized in the CEP/IRP Update will also serve as an important tool in furthering conversations with all stakeholders, and the OPUC, on PGE’s path forward to making continued progress towards emission targets while continuing to serve customers safely, reliably, and at the lowest cost possible. PGE and parties will work through the regulatory review process for the CEP/IRP Update filing (OPUC Docket LC 80) during the coming months. PGE cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the regulatory process.
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2023 All-Source RFP
After a robust and competitive bidding, repricing, and negotiating process as part of the 2023 RFP, PGE has entered into agreements to construct two solar and battery hybrid projects for a total of 615 MW:
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Biglow Optimization—PGE entered into an agreement to construct a 125 MW solar facility and a 125 MW BESS in Sherman County, Oregon. PGE will own the resource with an investment of approximately $540 million, excluding AFUDC. The project has an estimated commercial operation date at the end of 2027.
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Wheatridge Expansion—PGE and NextEra Energy, Inc. entered into agreements to construct a 240 MW solar facility and a 125 MW BESS facility, located in Morrow County, Oregon. PGE will own 110 MW of solar and 65 MW of BESS production capacity with an investment of approximately $490 million, excluding AFUDC. NextEra Energy, Inc. will operate the facility, own the remaining 130 MW of solar and 60 MW of BESS production capacity and sell their portion of the output to PGE under a 30-year PPA. The project has an estimated commercial operation date at the end of 2027.
These agreements represent the final procurement from the 2023 All-Source RFP. The 2023 RFP is a component of PGE’s multi-pronged procurement approach focused on customer affordability, system reliability, and decarbonization. Both the 2023 RFP reprice and the 2025 RFP disclosed below were designed to capture expiring tax credits to support customer affordability. Additional resources are anticipated to be procured through future acquisition processes, including, but not limited to, PPAs, including a bilateral all-call for PPAs, community-based renewable energy procurement, the ongoing 2025 RFP, and future RFPs.
Additional Procurement Activities
PGE has entered into the following agreements outside of the Company’s 2023 RFP and for each has requested the OPUC to grant a waiver to Oregon’s competitive bidding rules:
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Meadowlark BESS—a 20-year storage capacity agreement for a 200 MW BESS located in Washington County, Oregon. This project will be owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, LLC and has an estimated commercial operation date at the end of 2027, pending OPUC approval of the requested waiver of the competitive bidding rules.
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Nottingham BESS—a 20-year storage capacity agreement for a 200 MW BESS located in Washington County, Oregon. This project has an estimated commercial operation date in 2028, pending OPUC approval of the requested waiver of the competitive bidding rules.
2025 All-Source RFP
PGE filed notice with the OPUC in November 2024 that an RFP in 2025 was needed to procure resources to meet a forecasted 2029 capacity shortfall and to make continued progress toward decarbonization targets under HB 2021. These actions were consistent with the 2023 IRP Action Plan and CEP Update. PGE filed the draft 2025 All-Source RFP on April 17, 2025, and regulatory approval was granted on July 22, 2025. The Company issued the RFP to market on July 31, 2025, seeking bids for resources that can provide non-emitting dispatchable capacity and renewable generation.
After a robust and competitive bidding process performed in accordance with Oregon's competitive bidding rules, and with the active participation of, and oversight by, an OPUC-selected third-party independent evaluator, PGE
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plans to submit a request for acknowledgement of the final shortlist of bidders to the OPUC. The final shortlist is made up of both renewables and non-emitting capacity projects, as shown in the table below:
| 2025 RFP Final Shortlist | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Technology | Structure | MW | Company-owned MW | ||||
| 1 | Battery | PPA | 185 | |||||
| 2 | Battery | PPA | 200 | |||||
| 3 | Wind | PPA | 560 | |||||
| 4 | Solar | PPA | 100 | |||||
| 5 | Wind | PPA | 103 | |||||
| 6 | Solar, Battery | Hybrid | 800 | 400 | ||||
| 7 | Wind, Battery, Solar | Hybrid | 800 | 375 | ||||
| 8 | Solar, Battery | BTA | 450 | 450 | ||||
| 9 | Solar, Battery | BTA | 400 | 400 | ||||
| 10 | Battery | BTA | 100 | 100 | ||||
| 11 | Battery | BTA | 200 | 200 | ||||
| 12 | Solar, Battery | PPA | 900 |
The proposals for renewable resources provide various combinations of wind, solar and battery storage options that include storage capacity and PPAs along with Company-owned resources via Build Transfer Agreements (BTA). The proposals for non-emitting dispatchable capacity resources provide battery storage options that include PPAs along with Company-owned resources via BTAs.
PGE is proceeding to commercial negotiations with projects on the final shortlist, prioritizing those that include renewable generation and that have a viable pathway to achieve commercial operations earlier in the 2028 - 2030 eligibility period. The ultimate outcome of the RFP process may involve the selection of multiple projects for both renewable and non-emitting dispatchable capacity resources, which PGE expects will be approximately 2,500 MWs in total.
PGE anticipates the OPUC to consider acknowledgement of the RFP final shortlist in May 2026. Additional details of the 2025 RFP (OPUC Docket UM 2371) are available on the OPUC website at www.oregon.gov/puc.
Legal Challenges to the RFP Process
Various regulatory and legal challenges directed at the OPUC have been initiated by NewSun Energy LLC, related to PGE’s RFP process. PGE has joined the proceedings as an intervenor, and the challenges are in various stages of litigation or regulatory review. PGE cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings or potential impact, if any.
Transmission Upgrades
In alignment with local and regional transmission plans, the 2023 IRP Action Plan, and CEP Update, PGE is evaluating and implementing upgrades to existing transmission resources and expansions of current transmission networks. Transmission resource actions are intended to alleviate congestion, improve regional adequacy and reliability, enable decarbonization goals, and address growing customer demand.
In May 2024, PGE signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding in the development of the North Plains Connector, an approximately 415-mile, high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission line to be constructed with endpoints near Bismarck, North Dakota and Colstrip, Montana. The parties entered negotiations with the United States Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) to finalize the project objectives, terms, and conditions, including the Company’s participation, which is expected to involve a 20% ownership share of the approximately $3.2 billion total investment of the project. In August 2024, the project was awarded a $700 million grant from the U.S. DOE’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program to further support its development and
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would reduce the overall total investment of the project. A portion of the GRIP funding is also allocated to assess upgrades to the Colstrip Transmission System. See “Federal Grants” in the Laws and Regulations section of this Overview for further discussion over the impacts of Federal grants and effect of Presidential executive orders.
The North Plains Connector would be the nation’s first HVDC transmission connection among three regional U.S. electric energy markets, providing additional flexibility and the sharing of resources across multiple time zones. PGE's resource planning process indicates the need for transmission to provide additional transfer capacity, access to diverse energy resources, and enhanced wholesale markets, and ease congestion on the existing western transmission system. PGE continues to explore the North Plains Connector as a resource to meet those load-service needs.
The U.S. DOE selected the CTWS, with PGE as a subrecipient under the grant, for a $250 million grant to upgrade the existing 230 kV Bethel-Round Butte Transmission line to 500 kV. The project (Warm Springs Power Pathway) will accelerate the development of transmission capacity, enabling new generation in Central and Eastern Oregon to reach customer demand loads in Western Oregon. The added capacity and associated upgrades will also increase resiliency of the transmission system as well as resiliency of the CTWS communities by increasing resources available to the CTWS to support economic growth opportunities. See “Federal Grants” in the Laws and Regulations section of this Overview for further discussion over the impacts of Federal grants.
Building a resilient grid—To serve communities with clean energy, PGE’s grid of the future will need to be smart and adaptive. Highlights of PGE’s key investments and plans for building a resilient grid include:
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Wildfire Mitigation—PGE has a Wildfire Mitigation Program under which an annual Wildfire Mitigation Plan is developed and submitted to the OPUC, as required by State law, to coordinate activities across the Company and with State-wide stakeholders. On December 31, 2025, PGE filed its 2026-2028 Wildfire Mitigation Plan, which forecasts $47 to $50 million annually in operations and maintenance costs and an additional $70 to $84 million annually in capital investments, for the 2026-2028 period, to continue system hardening efforts, expand situational awareness capabilities, implement specific inspection and maintenance along with vegetation management, raise community and customer awareness, and take operational actions within high fire risk zones. PGE strives to improve regional safety by mitigating the risk that PGE’s electric utility infrastructure could cause a wildfire, while limiting the impacts of PSPS events and other mitigation activities on customers and increasing the resiliency of PGE assets to wildfire damage. During 2025, PGE invested $56 million in capital projects related to wildfire mitigation and resiliency and utility asset management.
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Virtual Power Plant (VPP)—PGE’s VPP is comprised of Distributed Energy Resources and flexible loads that are managed through technology platforms to provide grid and power operations services. PGE’s customer offerings related to flexible load programs, rooftop solar, battery storage, and electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions support grid reliability and increase portfolio flexibility and resource diversity. When coordinated through the Company’s Distributed Energy Resources Management Systems, Distributed Energy Resource and flexible loads support cost-effective decarbonization, advance customer and community energy resiliency, promote customer engagement with the energy system, and unlock additional grid services that enhance PGE’s operation of a dynamic two-way system. As customer participation in PGE’s VPP grows, their actions provide increasing benefit and help avoid customer service interruptions and reduce exposure to scarcity pricing in energy markets.
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Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs)—Limited network upgrades or non-wires solutions are important strategies that offer incremental improvements and can unlock capacity on existing transmission paths in the region. GETs include advanced conductors and coatings, topological optimization, and dynamic line ratings. PGE is actively incorporating GETs across its system to further increase the performance of new and existing transmission assets. These efforts, when deployed across a number of areas and assets, have the potential to add incremental capacity to the grid at lower costs.
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Distribution System Plan (DSP)—In 2021 and 2022, PGE filed its inaugural DSP in two parts, which were accepted by the OPUC in March 2022 and February 2023, respectively. The OPUC Staff finalized their review of modifications to the current DSP guidelines in the fourth quarter of 2024 and PGE filed its
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next DSP in December 2024, fully compliant with the updated requirement. The DSP outlines distribution system assets, describes how the Company plans for new load, including distributed resources such as EVs and rooftop solar installations, and presents the vision for modernizing the grid to enable accelerated decarbonization and customer participation in demonstrating continual progress towards PGE’s clean energy goals. For further information on recovery of costs related to the DSP, see “Distribution System Plan recovery mechanism” in the Regulatory Matters section of this Overview.
Electrify the economy—To help Oregon reach its decarbonization goals, PGE is committed to increasing electrification of buildings and supporting vehicle electrification for customers.
Transportation electrification (TE) is one of the most significant ways to reduce GHG emissions in Oregon. PGE is engaged with customers and communities to manage EV charging load, develop infrastructure projects aimed at improving accessibility to EV charging stations, build electric fleet partnerships, and offer programs to support customers’ transitions to TE.
In October 2023, the OPUC accepted PGE’s second TE plan, which covers the 2023 to 2025 time period and considers current and planned activities, along with forecasted EV loads. To date, PGE has incurred $14 million in capital expenditures under the 2023-2025 TE plan.
On July 25, 2025, PGE filed with the OPUC its draft 2026-2028 TE plan, which represents a continuation of the approach and strategy found within PGE’s 2023-2025 TE plan.
On December 9, 2025, the OPUC accepted PGE's 2026-2028 TE plan. In the 2026-2028 period covered by the 2026-2028 TE Plan, capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $11 million.
PGE continues to pursue advanced technologies to enhance the grid, pursue energy storage, and develop microgrids and the use of data and analytics to better predict demand and support energy-saving customer programs.
Laws and Regulations
Trade Tariffs—Recently, trade tariffs were imposed through presidential executive orders. While some tariffs scheduled to take effect were temporarily suspended, broad tariffs remain in effect. Trade tariffs may increase the cost of imported materials and equipment, disrupt supply chains, drive economic volatility, and create adverse capital and credit market conditions. The cost of steel utility poles, meters, transformers, and specialized electrical equipment, among other items, may increase materials and supplies balances and elevate the cost of capital projects. Similarly, prices may rise and lead times may lengthen for necessary components in resources considered for acquisition in PGE’s All-Source RFPs. For further information on the Company’s RFPs, see “The Resource Planning Process” in the Investing in a Clean Energy Future section of this Overview. While PGE’s Canadian natural gas imports are not expected to be impacted by the current state of trade tariffs due to the imports being U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement compliant, the future of trade tariff impacts on such imports is uncertain. The Company is unable to reasonably estimate the effects of the rapidly evolving trade tariff landscape, as those effects could include project delays and cost increases, and present obstacles to PGE’s strategic plan execution. PGE is closely monitoring the impacts of trade tariffs and the potential effect they may have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Federal Grants—PGE continues to evaluate opportunities on behalf of customers to leverage state, federal and private foundation funding programs to offset the cost of projects. These projects target improvements in electrical system reliability and resiliency, wildfire situational awareness and mitigation, greater communications capabilities, advancements in customer usage analytics using artificial intelligence, renewable resources and advanced electrical grid support, hydro generation operations, and regional transmission capacity constraints.
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On October 2, 2025, PGE received notice from the U.S. DOE of the termination of four federal grants that originally planned to provide $61 million in federal reimbursement over the life of the grants. PGE has incurred an immaterial amount of costs associated with the terminated grants and does not expect the termination process to result in a material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
PGE has been awarded five additional grants totaling approximately $252 million, either as a direct recipient or subrecipient. These grants remain in various stages of execution, with the largest being the Warm Springs Power Pathway. PGE continues to monitor these grants for potential modification or termination but has not received any formal notice of termination. To date, PGE has incurred only immaterial costs related to these grants. See “Transmission Upgrades” in the Investing in a Clean Energy Future section of this Overview for further discussion on the Warm Springs Power Pathway grant. The Company cannot predict the ultimate timing and success of securing funding from federal programs or predict the outcome of existing grants.
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA)—The IRA was signed into law in August 2022 with a majority of the provisions effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022.
The United States Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service released extensive rules addressing credit transfer eligibility and application, including but not limited to, required registration, filing, and documentation for transferors and transferees to elect and claim a credit transfer. See the "Income Taxes" section of Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for information on OPUC approval and treatment of tax credit transfers.
PGE has entered into agreements to transfer 2023 through 2025 tax credits and transferred $179 million and $112 million, net of discounts, for cash proceeds in 2025 and 2024, respectively.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act—The OBBB significantly amends or repeals several renewable-energy tax incentives originally enacted under the IRA. Projects placed in service during 2025 that met applicable tax credit qualification requirements received PTC or ITC benefits, which are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The transferability of tax credits, as provided under the IRA, also remains in effect. Following the July 7, 2025 executive order that added uncertainty with respect to the specific actions necessary to demonstrate a project’s start of construction, on August 15, 2025, the Treasury Department issued a notice for establishing the beginning of construction for wind and solar projects. The notice requires large projects to satisfy a physical-work test after September 2, 2025, eliminates certain inventory-procurement safe harbors, and accelerates the placed in service deadline to December 31, 2027.
These changes, together with the repeal of the permanent ten percent ITC, as outlined in the OBBB, are expected to reduce or eliminate the availability of RECs on future projects. The Company cannot yet reasonably estimate the impact on PGE’s results of operations, financial position, and cash flows or on future capital expenditures, deferred tax assets, current and future All-Source RFPs, and customer prices.
See “The Resource Planning Process” in the Investing in a Clean Energy Future section of this Overview for information regarding the impact of the OBBB on the RFP process.
HB 2021—Among other things, HB 2021 requires retail electricity providers to reduce GHG emissions associated with serving Oregon retail electricity consumers to certain targets: 80% reduction by 2030; 90% by 2035; and 100% by 2040, compared to a baseline emission level. The baseline emission level is calculated for each provider by using average annual emissions associated with power generated and purchased for retail load for the years 2010 through 2012.
HB 2021 requires utilities to develop a CEP for meeting the reduction targets, concurrent with each IRP. In reviewing a CEP, the OPUC must ensure that utilities take actions as soon as practicable that facilitates rapid reduction of GHG emissions, demonstrate continual progress toward meeting the targets, and create a plan that is in the public interest. Further, the CEP must result in an affordable, reliable, and clean electric system. The law
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does not require particular GHG percentage reductions be attained until 2030. The law contains affordability and reliability related provisions that can slow or pause compliance with the GHG targets, if implicated. The OPUC has a current open docket, UM 2273, in which provisions regarding the cost cap are being investigated.
A separate law adopted in 2009 requires retail electricity providers to report annually to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) the GHG emissions associated with electricity used to serve retail customers. The OPUC must use the data reported to the ODEQ to determine whether the GHG targets have been met.
RPS standards and related laws—In 2016, Oregon Senate Bill (SB) 1547 increased the 2007 benchmarks for the percentage of electricity that must come from renewable sources by dates certain and required the elimination of coal as a fuel for generation of electricity used to serve Oregon utility customers on or before January 1, 2030, although an exception in the law may extend this date five years for the output of Colstrip.
The Company has a 20% ownership share in Colstrip and has fully depreciated it as of December 31, 2025. Any capital spending after 2025 is expected to be fully depreciated within the year of spending. The forecasted annual revenue requirement for Colstrip, including depreciation, is updated annually in a separate, supplemental tariff and power cost related items are recovered annually under the AUT. In order to meet PGE’s regulatory, legislative, and reliability requirements, the Company continues to evaluate its ongoing ownership in Colstrip. See Note 19, Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for information regarding legal matters related to Colstrip.
Any reduction in generation from Colstrip has the potential to provide additional capacity availability on the Colstrip transmission facilities, which stretch from eastern Montana to near the western end of that state to serve markets in the Pacific Northwest and neighboring states. PGE has an approximate 15% ownership interest in, and capacity on, the Colstrip transmission facilities. See “Investing in a Clean Energy Future” in this Overview for information regarding development in eastern Montana.
Other provisions of SB 1547:
•
establish RPS thresholds of 27% by 2025, 35% by 2030, 45% by 2035, and 50% by 2040, for the percentage of electricity that must come from renewable sources;
•
limit the life of RECs generated from facilities that become operational after 2022 to five years, but continue unlimited lifespan for all existing RECs and allow for the generation of additional unlimited RECs for a period of five years for projects online before December 31, 2022; and
•
provide opportunity to pursue recovery of energy storage costs related to renewable energy in the Company’s RAC filings.
PGE believes it met the RPS threshold for 2025 and is on track to meet the threshold during 2026. The Company plans to submit its RPS report for 2025 by June 1, 2026. For a more comprehensive review of Environmental Matters, see “Environmental Matters” in Item 1.—Business.
HB 3179—In response to increasing utility bills and concerns about affordability, the Oregon Legislature in 2025 passed HB 3179. Under the provisions of the legislation, which will require a significant amount of rulemaking to implement, the OPUC shall balance the interests of the utility investor and the consumer by considering the cumulative economic impact of the proposed price or schedule of prices on the electric or natural gas company’s residential customers. Electric or natural gas companies are required to file a multiyear rate plan on a regular interval that is no less than three and no more than seven years long. The OPUC shall require each electric and natural gas company to, at least annually, file with the OPUC, and make publicly available, a report on any price adjustments that the electric or natural gas company expects within the next twelve months. Such report, the first of which would be due at the end of 2026 at the earliest, must identify all price adjustment requests that an electric or natural gas company has filed or reasonably knows or anticipates to file. Any increase in residential prices may not take effect from November 1 to March 31.
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EPA Regulations for Electric Generating Facilities—In April, 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released final regulations pertaining to electric generation facilities. The regulations included:
•
GHG regulations for new natural gas-based turbines and existing coal-based units, pursuant to section 111 of the Clean Air Act (CAA);
•
Supplemental Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category (the ELG Rule), which applies to wastewater discharges from coal-based generating units and establishes pollution control requirements, building upon the 2015 and 2020 ELG Rules; and
•
Updated Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), pursuant to section 112 of the CAA, which sets emissions limits for filterable particulate matter for coal-based generating units. The rule reduces those limits from the standards that were originally set in 2012.
On April 8, 2025, the President issued a proclamation, Regulatory Relief for Certain Stationary Sources to Promote American Energy, granting a two-year compliance exemption pursuant to the CAA Section 112(i)(4) for the EPA’s MATS rule. The EPA subsequently notified companies whether their sources had been granted the exemption. Colstrip was granted an exemption until July 8, 2029. Environmental groups have filed court challenges to the MATS exemptions.
On June 11, 2025, to advance the goals of the President’s Unleashing American Energy executive order, the EPA proposed to repeal the 2024 GHG emissions standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants promulgated under Section 111 of the CAA. The EPA also proposed to repeal specific amendments to the updated MATS, that were promulgated in 2024, including the revised filterable particulate matter emissions standard. Additionally, on June 30, 2025, the EPA proposed to update the 2024 ELG Rule to extend compliance deadlines and explore flexibilities to promote reliable and affordable power generation. On February 12, 2026, the EPA revoked the 2009 endangerment finding, thus removing the EPA’s authority to regulate GHGs.
PGE continues to evaluate each of these rules to assess the impact it may have on the Company’s continuing investment in Colstrip, which could be material. Compliance with the 2024 rules could require material upgrades at Colstrip with proposed compliance dates that may not be achievable or require the use of unproven technology, resulting in significant impacts to costs related to Colstrip. If upheld, or not modified by the EPA, the 2024 MATS and GHG Rules would require compliance as early as 2027 and 2032, respectively.
In addition to the EPA’s proposed rulemakings, several legal challenges have been filed regarding these rules. In challenges to all three rules, at the EPA’s request, the courts have granted stays to allow new EPA leadership to reevaluate the rule. These challenges, or attempts by the federal government to withdraw or modify the regulations, if successful, could affect the applicability to PGE and Colstrip, specifically. Given the uncertainty surrounding applicability of these laws and regulations, PGE cannot reasonably estimate the impact to its results of operations, financial position, and cash flows, however, if the MATS Rule and GHG Rule are ultimately enforced, it could require material additional compliance costs. To the extent these regulations result in increased compliance costs, the Company expects to seek recovery of those costs through the ratemaking process.
Regulatory Matters
PGE focuses on providing reliable, clean power to customers at affordable prices while providing a fair return to investors. To achieve this goal the Company must execute effectively within its regulatory framework and maintain prudent management of key financial, regulatory, and environmental matters that may affect customer prices and investor returns. The following discussion provides detail on such matters.
Corporate structure— On July 25, 2025, the Company submitted a formal application to the OPUC seeking approval of a holding company reorganization. PGE believes it to be in the best interests of its customers and shareholders to update its corporate structure into a holding company structure. The structure currently contemplated involves placing a non-operating corporate entity over the Company’s existing structure.
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Additionally, this structure would allow for the formation of a subsidiary of the holding company that could hold existing and future transmission assets. The intent of the reorganization is to take advantage of the financial flexibility provided by a holding company structure, and to support construction of new transmission assets, reliability planning, and economic development.
The application is one of many steps required to complete the reorganization, which needs OPUC approval under Oregon law as well as any necessary FERC approvals. Later in the process, PGE's Board of Directors will decide whether to submit the proposed reorganization to PGE shareholders for approval. Following completion of these steps and the receipt of all required approvals, each outstanding share of PGE common stock would automatically convert into a share of the new holding company (HoldCo) common stock on a one-for-one basis. PGE shareholders, immediately prior to consummation of the reorganization would own the same relative percentages of HoldCo following consummation of the reorganization. After the reorganization, PGE would be a wholly owned subsidiary of HoldCo, which would be an Oregon corporation.
As of the date of this filing, the OPUC proceeding remains in the evidentiary phase. Written testimony has been submitted, and the OPUC is continuing to compile additional filings and public input. No final order has been issued, and the proceeding remains active.
Declared states of emergency—The OPUC has approved a pre-authorized deferral of costs associated with qualifying declared states of emergency, which would include federal or state declared emergencies with impacts on PGE’s service territory. Under this mechanism, PGE could provide notice of an event that qualifies within 30 days of the declared state of emergency and would not need to seek OPUC approval to apply deferred accounting treatment for incremental costs related to the emergency. The OPUC maintains responsibility to review utility requests to amortize deferred amounts in customer prices, including, among other requirements, a review of utility prudence and application of an earnings test, in a future proceeding.
In January 2024, the Company’s service territory encountered a severe winter weather event that included snow, ice, and high winds over several days that caused catastrophic damage to physical assets and resulted in widespread customer power outages. As a result of the historic winter storm, Oregon’s Governor declared a state of emergency on January 18, 2024, which allows PGE to seek recovery of incremental storm expenses through the previously filed emergency deferral. On February 9, 2024, PGE filed a Notice of Deferral with the OPUC under Docket UM 2190 for emergency restoration costs related to the January storm. As of December 31, 2025, PGE had deferred $48 million, including interest, as a regulatory asset for costs associated with repairing damage to transmission and distribution systems and restoring power to customers.
PGE believes that the deferral is probable of recovery and submitted a request for recovery early in the third quarter of 2025, with price changes to be effective over a two-year period beginning April 1, 2026. The OPUC has adopted a procedural schedule in Docket UE 458 for the regulatory review process that expects an order in March 2026. The OPUC has significant discretion in making the final determination of recovery based on its assessment of prudency and interpretation of the earnings test application, either of which could result in all, or a portion of, the deferral being disallowed. As of December 31, 2024, PGE's regulated return on equity, based on actual results, did not exceed the authorized rate of return as set by the OPUC, therefore, there has been no adjustment pursuant to the earnings test.
Any disallowance would be a charge to earnings, which could be material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. For further information, see “January 2024 storm and damage” in Note 7, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
RCE—Under the RCE mechanism, originally authorized by the OPUC to be effective through 2025, PGE is allowed to pursue recovery of 80% of costs for RCEs above amounts forecasted in the Company’s AUT, without application of an earnings test, with the remaining 20% flowing through operating expenses and subject to the existing PCAM. As of December 31, 2025, PGE’s deferred balance related to RCEs was $90 million, which includes $88 million related to RCEs in 2024 and $2 million in 2025. PGE filed the results of the 2024 PCAM
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with the OPUC on July 1, 2025, in Docket UE 457, which included a request for $86 million, before considering interest, in RCE costs incurred in 2024, initiating a regulatory review process. Included in the filing, the Company requested an extension of the RCE mechanism for one year, through 2026. The OPUC has adopted a procedural schedule for the regulatory review process that expects an order in March 2026. Any resulting refund or collection impacting customer prices is expected to be effective April 1, 2026. PGE believes the deferred amounts as of December 31, 2025 are probable of recovery. The OPUC has significant discretion in making the final determination of recovery. The OPUC’s conclusion of overall prudence could result in a portion, or all, of PGE’s deferrals being disallowed for recovery. Such disallowance would be recognized as a charge to earnings.
Power costs—Pursuant to the AUT process, PGE annually files an estimate of power costs for the following year. As approved by the OPUC, the 2025 AUT included a final increase in power costs for 2025, and a corresponding increase in annual revenue requirement of $72 million from 2024 levels, which were reflected in customer prices effective January 1, 2025. The 2026 AUT contains a $39 million increase in NVPC and has been included in customer prices beginning January 1, 2026. For more information regarding the PCAM, see “Power operations” within this Overview section of Item 7.
Renewable recovery framework—As previously authorized by the OPUC, the RAC is a primary method available to recover costs associated with renewable resources and the inclusion of prudent costs of energy storage projects associated with renewables, under certain conditions. The RAC allows PGE to recover prudently incurred costs of renewable resources through filings made each year, outside of a General Rate Case (GRC). In 2023, the Company filed for Clearwater, which went into service in January 2024. PGE did not submit a request for recovery of any renewable resources under the RAC during 2024 or 2025.
Under the RAC, during 2023, the Company submitted a filing in OPUC Docket UE 427 for Clearwater proposing to defer the revenue requirement, net of NVPC benefits, from the in-service date of January 2024 until Clearwater was reflected in customer prices, which was March 1, 2025. For the year ended December 31, 2024, PGE deferred the revenue requirement, net of NVPC benefits resulting in a net regulatory liability of $40 million, which began amortizing as a refund to customers on March 1, 2025 over a twelve month period, as approved by the OPUC in Order 25-075 issued February 21, 2025.
Order 25-075 also adopted conditions to be applied to the AUT and clarification of the applicability of those conditions were subsequently provided by the OPUC in Order 25-223, which granted certain of PGE’s requests and denied others. PGE and NewSun Energy LLC, as an intervenor, both have Petitions for Judicial Review of Order 25-075 pending at the Oregon Court of Appeals. For the period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, PGE deferred an additional net $13 million regulatory liability, which remains subject to a future regulatory review, representing the deferred revenue requirement that the Company believes is probable of recovery, net of NVPC that is probable of refund to customers under the RAC for that period. The OPUC has significant discretion on overall prudence and in making the final determination of recovery or refund. Any cost disallowance or increased refunds would be recognized as a charge to earnings.
Seaside Grid BESS recovery—On May 30, 2025, PGE submitted a request to the OPUC to recover the revenue requirement associated with the Seaside Battery Energy Storage System (Seaside). The regulatory filing was pursuant to the expedited cost-recovery option introduced by the OPUC in its Order issued December 20, 2024 related to PGE's 2025 GRC (OPUC Docket UE 435).
On October 21, 2025, the OPUC issued an Order (Order 25-417) that was supported by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) entered into between PGE and key regulatory stakeholders. The MOU guided the recovery proceeding for Seaside, PGE’s largest standalone battery storage project which has been serving customers since July 2025.
The Order calls for the following:
•
a rate base increase of $220 million, net of estimated ITC benefits of $125 million;
•
a 9.34% return on equity; and
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•
an annual revenue requirement increase of $42 million, excluding impacts related to NVPC, compared to PGE’s filed request of $46 million at closing briefs.
The Order also resulted in a $6 million revenue requirement increase for the remainder of 2025, inclusive of NVPC customer benefits. Seaside’s NVPC is included in PGE’s AUT filings for 2026 (OPUC docket UE 452) and onward.
Other key items in the Order include the adoption of an earnings test for the twelve-month period ended October 31, 2026 at PGE’s authorized ROE, implemented via a deferral to track Seaside revenues and refund excess earnings, if applicable. The Company has contested the applicability of an earnings test and in addition has not accrued any refunds, as it currently does not forecast to over earn for the period covered by the test.
The Seaside revenue requirement was included in customer prices effective October 31, 2025.
Distribution System Plan recovery mechanism—On December 23, 2025, PGE and certain intervening parties submitted a stipulation to the OPUC reflecting an agreement that resolves all issues, with the exception of the application of an earnings test as proposed by intervening parties, in PGE's request for recovery in UE 459 related to the Company’s DSP Alternative Recovery Mechanism (ARM). The settlement and submitted stipulation were supported by an MOU entered into between PGE and key regulatory stakeholders. The MOU limited the scope of the ARM to specific capital investments included in the DSP docket (UM 2362) filed in December 2024, which enable network modernization, reliable customer service, and integration of clean energy and distributed energy resources.
Primary components of the stipulation include:
•
A rate base increase of $218 million;
•
9.34% ROE per the MOU reflecting PGE's latest rate case;
•
An annual revenue requirement increase of $57 million, compared to PGE's filed request of $72 million.
Of the $15 million of revenue requirement adjustments, approximately 87% are temporary in nature, allowing PGE to seek recovery of associated investments as applicable in its next GRC. These adjustments are driven primarily by non-distribution investments and are not attributable to specific assets. Per the previously noted MOU reached with stakeholders, the earliest possible rate effective date of PGE's next GRC would be May 1, 2027.
The terms of the stipulation remain subject to OPUC approval. The OPUC has adopted a procedural schedule for the regulatory review process in Docket UE 459 that anticipates an order in March 2026, with customer prices effective April 1, 2026. PGE cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the regulatory process.
Portland Harbor Environmental Remediation Account (PHERA) mechanism—The EPA has listed PGE as one of over one hundred Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) related to the remediation of the Portland Harbor Superfund site. As of December 31, 2025, significant uncertainties still remained concerning the precise boundaries for clean-up, the assignment of responsibility for clean-up costs, the final selection of a proposed remedy by the EPA, and the method of allocation of costs amongst PRPs. It is probable that PGE will share in a portion of these costs. In a Record of Decision (ROD) issued in 2017, the EPA outlined its selected remediation plan for clean-up of the Portland Harbor site, which had an estimated total cost of $1.7 billion. Stakeholders have raised concerns that EPA’s cost estimates are understated, and PGE estimates undiscounted total remediation costs for Portland Harbor per the ROD could range from $1.9 billion to $3.5 billion. The Company does not currently have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the amount, or range, of its potential costs for investigation or remediation of Portland Harbor. However, the Company may obtain sufficient information, prior to the final determination of allocation percentages among PRPs, to develop a reasonable estimate, or range, of its potential liability that would require recording an estimate, or low end of the range. The Company’s liability
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related to the cost of remediating Portland Harbor could be material to PGE’s financial position. The impact of such costs to the Company’s results of operations is mitigated by the PHERA mechanism. As approved by the OPUC, the recovery mechanism allows the Company to defer and recover estimated liabilities and incurred legal and technical analysis expenditures related to the Portland Harbor Superfund Site through a combination of third-party proceeds, including, but not limited to, insurance recoveries, and customer prices, as necessary. The mechanism established annual prudency reviews of environmental expenditures and third-party proceeds, and annual expenditures in excess of $6 million, excluding contingent liabilities, are subject to an annual earnings test. PGE’s results of operations may be impacted to the extent such expenditures were to be deemed imprudent by the OPUC or disallowed per the prescribed earnings test. PGE received settlement proceeds related to Portland Harbor Superfund insurance coverage settlement agreements during 2025, which were deferred into the PHERA mechanism. PGE is continuing insurance recovery activity with additional insurers. For further information regarding the PHERA mechanism, see “EPA Investigation of Portland Harbor” in Note 19, Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
New Large Load—In December 2023, the OPUC established Docket UE 430 to investigate new load connection costs. Following a lengthy regulatory process, in December 2024, PGE filed Advice No. 24-38 with the OPUC. This filing introduced several proposed changes to PGE policies and tariffs that, if approved, would: i) reasonably protect other customers from the cost to connect new large load customers; ii) improve transmission system planning and capacity; iii) provide fair recovery of distribution investment costs from large load users; and iv) implement contractual requirements designed to appropriately allocate and recover distribution and transmission costs and mitigate the risk of stranded assets, while providing flexibility to meet large customer needs.
On April 15, 2025, the OPUC approved PGE's filing, as revised, with an effective date of April 16, 2025, on condition that the issues raised in the filing would continue to be evaluated in a new Commission docket, UM 2377. This initial approval allowed PGE to begin working with large load customers to form a load interconnection queue, conduct studies to assess and allocate connection costs, and offer study and service agreements. Applicable agreements with new large load customers may be revised and updated based on the outcome in the separate OPUC proceeding, UM 2377, that was opened to address PGE’s proposed tariff changes and related issues.
In June 2025, the Oregon Legislature passed HB 3546 relating to service to large data centers. HB 3546, which became effective in June 2025, directs the OPUC to provide a classification for retail customers deemed large energy use data center facilities. Any tariffs for the class must allocate costs to the class in a manner that is equal or proportional to the costs of serving the class, or directly assign the costs to large energy use data center facilities and avoid unwarranted shifting of costs to other classes. HB 3546 also directs the OPUC to require that electric companies serving data centers must enter into a contract for services with such customer under terms and conditions specified by the law. The OPUC has included HB 3546 alignment and establishment of a data center classification for retail customers within the scope of UM 2377 as well as other topics that may apply to all large load customers. The OPUC is expected to issue an Order in UM 2377 in the second quarter of 2026.
Operating Activities
In addition to providing electricity from PGE’s own generation portfolio, to meet retail load requirements and balance energy supply with customer demand, manage risk, and administer its long-term wholesale contracts, the Company purchases and sells electricity in the wholesale market. To fuel its generation portfolio, the Company purchases natural gas in the United States and Canada and sells excess gas back into the wholesale market. PGE also performs portfolio management and wholesale market sales services for third parties in the region and purchases and sells environmental credits bundled with electricity in the wholesale marketplace.
PGE participates in the western EIM, which enables, among other benefits, greater integration of renewable energy onto the grid by better balancing the variable output of renewable resources.
The Company signed an implementation agreement and filed tariff changes with the FERC to join the EDAM, which is expected to build on the success of the western EIM and help provide PGE and its customers additional
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access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy. In August 2025, the FERC approved PGE’s revisions to its Open Access Transmission Tariff for EDAM participation. In September 2025, the California Legislature approved Assembly Bill 825 (the Pathways Bill), authorizing the CAISO to transition market governance, including the EDAM, to an independent regional organization.
The EDAM, anticipated to begin operation in 2026, will allow market participants to submit bids for their forecasted energy demand and available generation resources a day ahead of expected use. The EDAM will then optimize transmission and resource use across all market participants, enabling access to the lowest cost resources to meet regional needs. The EDAM is expected to leverage PGE's existing technology and systems and utilize the Company’s transmission system to connect regional resources, such as hydropower and wind facilities in the Pacific Northwest and solar facilities in California and the desert Southwest, across a unified market platform.
As part of its ongoing commitment to reliably serving both retail and wholesale customers, PGE is evaluating alternatives to participation as a financially binding entity in the Western Power Pool’s resource adequacy program known as the Western Resource Adequacy Program (WRAP). While PGE continues to support the regional planning and analytical framework established by the WRAP, the Company provided notice of withdrawal in October 2025. PGE is in collaboration with utilities committed to the EDAM and Oregon regulated load serving entities to develop and adopt a resource adequacy framework that enhances reliability, is aligned more closely with the EDAM design, and reflects the operational realities of a rapidly evolving electric grid across the western United States, with a target operational date of 2028.
PGE generates revenues and cash flows primarily from the sale and distribution of electricity to its retail customers. The impact of seasonal weather conditions on demand for electricity can cause the Company’s revenues, cash flows, and income from operations to fluctuate from period to period. Summer peak deliveries have continued to exceed those of the winter months for nearly ten years, generally resulting from growing air conditioning demand and the trend toward a warmer overall climate. In August 2023, demand reached a new all-time high, surpassing the previous mark, which was set in summer 2021. Historically, PGE had experienced its highest average megawatt deliveries and retail energy sales during the winter heating season and recorded its current winter peak load in December 2022. Summer peak deliveries in each year since 2021 have exceeded that winter peak. For further information regarding seasonal fluctuations, see “Seasonality” in the Customers and Revenues section in Item 1.—“Business.”
Retail customer price changes and customer usage patterns, which can be affected by the economy, also have an effect on revenues. Wholesale power availability and price, hydro and wind generation, and fuel costs for thermal plants can also affect income from operations. PGE has taken measures to enhance the availability of supply chain-constrained items that are needed to serve new and existing customers, such as securing inventory of critical materials to improve reliability, reserving manufacturing capacity with strategic partners, and evaluating availability with established and new suppliers. The Company's materials and supplies forecasting process is designed to secure materials availability as well as help mitigate cost increases through long-term agreements, supplier engagement, and expanding the supply base. PGE is monitoring the fluid situation around tariffs and trade policies and continues to evaluate any potential impact to its operations and the need to implement applicable mitigation strategies.
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Customers and demand—The following tables present total energy deliveries and the average number of retail customers by type for 2025 and 2024.
| Energy deliveries (MWh in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | % Change | % Change (Weather-Adjusted) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail: | ||||||||||||||||
| Residential | 7,596 | 7,732 | (1.8 | )% | 0.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Commercial | 6,467 | 6,509 | (0.6 | ) | (0.2 | ) | ||||||||||
| Industrial | 5,905 | 5,032 | 17.3 | 17.4 | ||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 19,968 | 19,273 | 3.6 | 4.6 | ||||||||||||
| Direct access: | ||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 548 | 515 | 6.4 | 6.4 | ||||||||||||
| Industrial | 2,014 | 1,909 | 5.5 | 5.5 | ||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 2,562 | 2,424 | 5.7 | 5.7 | ||||||||||||
| Total retail energy deliveries | 22,530 | 21,697 | 3.8 | 4.7 | ||||||||||||
| Wholesale energy deliveries | 9,392 | 9,722 | (3.4 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Total energy deliveries | 31,922 | 31,419 | 1.6 |
| Average number of retail customers | 2025 | 2024 | % Increase/ (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 840,457 | 88 | % | 829,721 | 88 | % | 1.3 | % | ||||||||||||
| Commercial | 114,277 | 12 | 113,518 | 12 | 0.7 | |||||||||||||||
| Industrial | 218 | — | 208 | — | 4.8 | |||||||||||||||
| Direct access | 703 | — | 497 | — | 41.4 | |||||||||||||||
| Total | 955,655 | 100 | % | 943,944 | 100 | % | 1.2 |
In 2025, retail energy deliveries increased 3.8% from 2024, with increases in demand from industrial customers outweighing the decreases seen in the residential and commercial classes. The industrial class has experienced an increase in energy deliveries, due primarily to continued growth in the high-tech and digital services sectors. Compared to the prior year, weather served to reduce deliveries, as temperatures were overall mild. Temperatures in the fourth quarter were mild, with December experiencing the warmest average temperature on record at the Portland International Airport.
Residential energy deliveries, which are most sensitive to fluctuations in temperatures, were 1.8% lower in 2025 than 2024, due to a 3% decrease in average usage per customer, which resulted largely from mild temperatures, and was partially offset by a 1.3% increase in the average number of customers. PGE has seen the number of rooftop solar installations increase in its service territory over the past few years, which continues to reduce the average usage per customer.
Commercial energy deliveries decreased 0.1% from the prior year driven by mild temperatures in 2025, impacts of programmatic energy efficiency and uncertainty in economic conditions that tempered commercial growth in 2024 and have continued into 2025.
Industrial energy deliveries increased 14.1% in 2025 due to continued strength in the digital service sector. Several large customers experienced continued growth in 2025 and new data center facilities came online.
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Total heating degree-days, an indication of electricity use for heating, declined 3% in 2025 from 2024 in total, and were 11% below the 15-year moving average. In 2025, heating degree-days were lower in each quarter of the year, except for the first quarter, which was only slightly higher. The fourth quarter, which is normally a high heating demand period, in 2025, was even milder than 2024, which was among the warmest ever recorded to that point. Correspondingly, cooling degree-days, a similar indication of the extent to which customers were likely to have used electricity for cooling, exceeded the 15-year average by 9%, although were 8% below the 2024 total, which was 18% above average, illustrating that the two most recent summer seasons have continued to see warm temperatures when compared to historical averages.
The following table presents the number of heating and cooling degree-days in 2025 and 2024, along with the current 15-year averages, reflecting the influence that weather had on comparative energy deliveries.
| Heating Degree-Days | Cooling Degree-Days | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 15-Year Average | 2025 | 2024 | 15-Year Average | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1st quarter | 1,772 | 1,755 | 1,819 | 4 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 2nd quarter | 464 | 547 | 606 | 102 | 108 | 109 | |||||||||||||||||
| 3rd quarter | 19 | 36 | 60 | 588 | 643 | 521 | |||||||||||||||||
| 4th quarter | 1,294 | 1,324 | 1,502 | — | — | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 3,549 | 3,662 | 3,987 | 694 | 751 | 636 | |||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) from the 15-year average | (11 | )% | (8 | )% | 9 | % | 18 | % |
Customers are measured and reported in terms of individual service points, with certain companies, which are classified among the commercial, industrial, or Direct Access categories, having multiple service points. ESSs supplied Direct Access customers with energy representing 11% of PGE’s total retail energy deliveries during both 2025 and 2024. The maximum retail load allowed to be supplied under the fixed three-year and minimum five-year opt-out programs represent 12% of the Company’s total retail energy deliveries for 2025. With the adoption of the New Large Load Direct Access program in 2020, as much as 16% of the Company’s 2025 energy deliveries could have been supplied by ESSs. The OPUC, under docket UM 2024, has undertaken an investigation of long-term Direct Access with program caps being one of the issues under consideration. This regulatory proceeding is expected to conclude in early 2026.
Power operations—PGE utilizes a combination of its own generating and energy storage resources and wholesale market transactions to meet the energy needs of, and obtain reasonably-priced power for, its retail customers, manage risk, and administer its long-term wholesale contracts. Based on numerous factors, including plant availability, customer demand, river flows, wind conditions, and current wholesale prices, the Company continuously makes economic dispatch decisions in an effort to obtain reasonably-priced power for its retail customers. PGE also purchases wholesale natural gas in the United States and Canada to fuel its generating portfolio and sells excess gas back into the wholesale market. As a result, the amount of power generated and purchased in the wholesale market to meet the Company’s retail load requirement can vary from period to period and impacts NVPC and income from operations.
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The following table provides information regarding the performance of the Company’s generation portfolio.
| Plant availability (1) | Actual energy provided compared to projected levels (2) | Actual energy provided as a percentage of total retail load | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Thermal: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Natural gas | 87 | % | 82 | % | 102 | % | 98 | % | 37 | % | 36 | % | ||||||||||||
| Coal (3) | 79 | 78 | 97 | 93 | 6 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Wind (4) | 89 | 92 | 96 | 101 | 9 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hydro | 85 | 93 | 99 | 96 | 4 | 4 |
(1)
Plant availability represents the percentage of the year plants were available for operations, which is impacted by planned maintenance and forced, or unplanned, outages.
(2)
Projected levels of energy are included as part of PGE’s AUT. Such projections establish the power cost component of retail prices for the following calendar year. Any shortfall is generally replaced with power from higher cost sources, while any excess generally displaces power from higher cost sources.
(3)
Plant availability reflects Colstrip, which PGE does not operate.
(4)
Plant availability includes Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility and Clearwater, which PGE does not operate.
Energy received from PGE-owned and jointly-owned thermal plants in 2025 compared to 2024 increased by 4%. This increase is primarily driven by economic dispatch decisions. Energy expected to be received from thermal resources is projected annually in the AUT based on forecast market prices, variable costs to run the plant, and the constraints of the plant. PGE’s thermal generating plants require varying levels of annual maintenance, which is generally performed during the second quarter of the year.
Total energy received from all hydroelectric sources, both PGE-owned generation and purchased, increased 8% in 2025 compared to 2024 primarily due to more favorable hydro conditions in the current period. Energy purchased from mid-Columbia and other regional hydroelectric projects increased 10% while energy generated by the Company-owned facilities decreased 5% in 2025. Energy expected to be received from hydroelectric resources in 2025 was projected in the AUT based on a modified hydro study, which utilizes 10 years of historical stream flow data. For further detail on regional hydro results, see “Purchased power and fuel” in the Results of Operations section in this Item 7.
Energy received from PGE-owned wind resources and under contracts decreased 9% in 2025 compared to 2024. Energy expected to be received from wind generating resources is projected annually in the AUT based on historical generation. Wind generation forecasts are developed using a 5-year rolling average of historical wind levels or forecast studies when historical data is not available.
Under the PCAM, PGE may share with customers a portion of cost variances associated with NVPC. Customer prices can be adjusted annually to absorb a portion of the difference between the forecasted NVPC included in customer prices (baseline NVPC, which is reset annually by means of the AUT filings) and actual NVPC for the year, if such differences exceed a prescribed “deadband” limit, which ranges from $15 million below to $30 million above baseline NVPC. To the extent actual NVPC, subject to certain adjustments, is outside the deadband range, the PCAM provides for 90% of the excess variance to be collected from, or refunded to, customers. Pursuant to a regulated earnings test, a refund will occur only to the extent that it results in PGE’s actual regulated return on equity (ROE) for the given year being no less than 1% above the Company’s latest authorized ROE, while a collection will occur only to the extent that it results in PGE’s actual regulated ROE for that year being no greater than 1% below the Company’s authorized ROE. The following is a summary of the results of the Company’s PCAM as calculated for regulatory purposes for 2025 and 2024:
•
For 2025, actual NVPC was below baseline NVPC by $6 million, which was within the established deadband range. Accordingly, there is no estimated refund to customers under the PCAM for 2025. A
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final determination regarding the 2025 PCAM results will be made by the OPUC through a public filing and review in 2026.
•
For 2024, actual NVPC was below baseline NVPC by $78 million, which was outside the established deadband range. Pursuant to the PCAM and related earnings test, because PGE’s preliminary regulatory ROE was below 10.5%, there was no estimated refund to customers under the PCAM for 2024.
As approved by the OPUC in PGE’s 2024 GRC, the RCE mechanism allows PGE to pursue recovery of 80% of costs for RCEs above amounts forecasted in the Company’s AUT, with the remaining 20% flowing through operating expenses and subject to the existing PCAM. For more on the RCE, see Note 7, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Business transformation and optimization expenses—In 2025, PGE incurred $42 million incremental business transformation and optimization expenses, which include strategic advisory and workforce realignment expenses, focused on a multi-year cost management initiative to realize long-term benefits. For more information on the impact of these costs on annual results, see “Generation, transmission and distribution,” “Administrative and other,” “Depreciation and amortization,” and “Other income, net” in the Results of Operations section of this Overview. The Company expects to incur business transformation and optimization expenses related to these initiatives throughout 2026.
Additionally, PGE has incurred incremental accounting, legal, and consulting costs related to its submission of a regulatory application for approval of a holding company reorganization. For more on the corporate structure see “Corporate Structure” in the Regulatory Matters section of this Overview.
Results of Operations
The following tables provide financial and operational information to be considered in conjunction with management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations.
The results of operations are as follows for the years presented (dollars in millions):
| Years Ended December 31, | % | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase | ||||||||||
| Amount | Amount | (Decrease) | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 3,576 | $ | 3,440 | 4 | % | ||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||
| Purchased power and fuel | 1,411 | 1,418 | — | |||||||||
| Generation, transmission and distribution | 450 | 436 | 3 | |||||||||
| Administrative and other | 392 | 403 | (3 | ) | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 578 | 496 | 17 | |||||||||
| Taxes other than income taxes | 190 | 175 | 9 | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 3,021 | 2,928 | 3 | |||||||||
| Income from operations | 555 | 512 | 8 | |||||||||
| Interest expense, net * | 232 | 211 | 10 | |||||||||
| Other income: | ||||||||||||
| Allowance for equity funds used during construction | 18 | 23 | (22 | ) | ||||||||
| Miscellaneous income, net | 18 | 26 | (31 | ) | ||||||||
| Other income, net | 36 | 49 | (27 | ) | ||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 359 | 350 | 3 | |||||||||
| Income tax expense | 53 | 37 | 43 | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 306 | $ | 313 | (2 | )% |
* Includes an allowance for borrowed funds used during construction of $11 million in 2025 and $15 million in 2024.
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2025 Compared to 2024
Net income for 2025 decreased $7 million from 2024. Retail revenues increased primarily due to price changes to cover anticipated higher NVPC and general cost increases, as authorized by the OPUC. Wholesale revenues have decreased, driven by a decline in the average price of wholesale deliveries, although lower sales volumes also contributed to the decline. Purchased power and fuel expense declined slightly, reflecting stable market conditions and lower commodity prices. Generation, transmission and distribution expenses were up slightly, while total Administrative and other expenses were reduced 3% from 2024. Increases in Depreciation and amortization expense, driven by higher depreciable asset balances, and Interest expense, net, due to higher long-term debt balances, were largely anticipated and somewhat offset in net income by increased revenues. Income tax expense was up due primarily to lower PTC benefits.
Total revenues consist of the following for the years presented (in millions):
| 2025 | 2024 | % Increase (Decrease) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail: | ||||||||||||
| Residential | $ | 1,486 | $ | 1,457 | 2 | % | ||||||
| Commercial | 969 | 914 | 6 | |||||||||
| Industrial | 536 | 435 | 23 | |||||||||
| Subtotal | 2,991 | 2,806 | 7 | |||||||||
| Direct Access: | ||||||||||||
| Commercial | 16 | 10 | 60 | |||||||||
| Industrial | 25 | 23 | 9 | |||||||||
| Subtotal | 41 | 33 | 24 | |||||||||
| Subtotal Retail | 3,032 | 2,839 | 7 | |||||||||
| Alternative revenue programs, net of amortization | 21 | (40 | ) | (153 | ) | |||||||
| Other accrued (deferred) revenues, net | 17 | 16 | 6 | |||||||||
| Total retail revenues | 3,070 | 2,815 | 9 | |||||||||
| Wholesale revenues | 418 | 558 | (25 | ) | ||||||||
| Other operating revenues | 88 | 67 | 31 | |||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 3,576 | $ | 3,440 | 4 | % |
Total retail revenues—The following items contributed to the increase in Total retail revenues for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | $ | 2,815 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in prices as a result of the AUT, approved by the OPUC (partially offset in Purchased power and fuel) | 72 | |||
| Retail energy deliveries driven by changes in customer demand | 66 | |||
| Change in average price of energy deliveries due primarily to changes in overall customer prices beyond the AUT, as approved by the OPUC | 60 | |||
| Clearwater RAC deferral (largely offset in Purchased power, Depreciation and amortization, and Income tax expense) | 37 | |||
| Wildfire mitigation, offset in operating expenses and amortization | 23 | |||
| Colstrip annual tariff update | 16 | |||
| Combination of various supplemental tariffs and adjustments | (19 | ) | ||
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | 3,070 | |||
| Change in Total retail revenues | $ | 255 |
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Wholesale revenues result primarily from sales of electricity and environmental credits to utilities and power marketers made in the Company’s efforts to meet the needs of, and secure reasonably priced power for, its retail customers, manage risk, and administer its current long-term wholesale contracts. Such sales can vary significantly from year to year as a result of economic conditions, power and fuel prices, hydro and wind availability, and customer demand.
In 2025, a $140 million, or 25%, decrease from 2024 in wholesale revenues occurred as a $90 million decrease resulted from lower average prices received when the Company sold power into the wholesale market. The decline in average sales prices resulted in large part to market volatility around specific regional weather events in January 2024 and milder overall weather in 2025. In addition, sales volumes decreased 3%, which resulted in a $19 million decrease, and the Company sold $32 million fewer environmental credits in 2025 than in the prior year.
Other operating revenues increased $21 million, or 31%, in 2025 from 2024, with the largest contributors being an increase from imbalance transactions with ESS providers, which is offset in Purchased power and fuel expense, and additional joint pole revenues.
Purchased power and fuel expense includes the cost of power purchased and fuel used to generate electricity to meet PGE’s retail load requirements, as well as the cost of settled electric and natural gas financial contracts.
The following items contributed to the change in Purchased power and fuel for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | $ | 1,418 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average variable power cost per MWh | (109 | ) | ||
| Total system load | 27 | |||
| 2021 PCAM deferral amortization | (15 | ) | ||
| RCE deferral activity, net | 90 | |||
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | 1,411 | |||
| Change in Purchased power and fuel | $ | (7 | ) | |
| Average variable power cost per MWh (in dollars): | ||||
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | $ | 49.08 | ||
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | $ | 45.63 | ||
| Total system load (MWh in thousands): | ||||
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | 30,348 | |||
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | 30,848 |
For the year ended December 31, 2025, the $109 million decrease related to the change in average variable power cost per MWh was primarily driven by an 11% decrease in the average cost for purchased power, offset by a 3% increase in the average cost for the Company’s own generation. The $27 million increase related to total system load was comprised of a 2% increase in energy obtained from purchased power, and a 1% increase in energy obtained from PGE’s own generation.
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PGE’s sources of energy, total system load, and retail load requirement for the years presented are as follows:
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| Sources of energy (MWh in thousands): | ||||||||||||||||
| Generation: | ||||||||||||||||
| Thermal: | ||||||||||||||||
| Natural gas | 11,424 | 37 | % | 10,939 | 36 | % | ||||||||||
| Coal | 1,936 | 6 | 1,910 | 6 | ||||||||||||
| Total thermal | 13,360 | 43 | 12,849 | 42 | ||||||||||||
| Hydro | 1,205 | 4 | 1,267 | 4 | ||||||||||||
| Wind | 2,711 | 9 | 2,922 | 10 | ||||||||||||
| Total generation | 17,276 | 56 | 17,038 | 56 | ||||||||||||
| Purchased power: | ||||||||||||||||
| Hydro | 7,431 | 24 | 6,752 | 22 | ||||||||||||
| Wind | 1,195 | 4 | 1,386 | 5 | ||||||||||||
| Solar | 1,415 | 5 | 1,119 | 4 | ||||||||||||
| Natural Gas | 885 | 3 | 94 | — | ||||||||||||
| Waste, Wood and Landfill Gas | 107 | — | 170 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Source not specified | 2,539 | 8 | 3,789 | 12 | ||||||||||||
| Total purchased power | 13,572 | 44 | 13,310 | 44 | ||||||||||||
| Total system load | 30,848 | 100 | % | 30,348 | 100 | % | ||||||||||
| Less: wholesale sales | (9,383 | ) | (9,722 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Retail load requirement | 21,465 | 20,626 |
Purchased power in the table above includes power received from QFs as follows:
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
| Sources of energy (MWhs in thousands): | |||||||
| PURPA purchased power: | |||||||
| Hydro | 29 | 31 | |||||
| Wind | 29 | 29 | |||||
| Solar | 605 | 580 | |||||
| Waste, Wood, Landfill Gas, and Other | 107 | 117 | |||||
| Total | 770 | 757 |
The following table presents the forecasted April-to-September 2026 and actual April-to-September 2025 and 2024 runoff at particular points of major rivers relevant to PGE’s hydro resources:
| Runoff as a Percent of Normal* | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | 2026 Forecast | 2025 Actual | 2024 Actual | |||||||||
| Columbia River at The Dalles, Oregon | 94 | % | 77 | % | 74 | % | ||||||
| Mid-Columbia River at Grand Coulee, Washington | 101 | 78 | 74 | |||||||||
| Clackamas River at Estacada, Oregon | 76 | 69 | 91 | |||||||||
| Deschutes River at Moody, Oregon | 90 | 93 | 93 |
* Volumetric water supply forecasts and historical averages for the Pacific Northwest region are prepared by the Northwest River Forecast Center, with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and other cooperating agencies.
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Actual NVPC, which consists of Purchased power and fuel expense net of Wholesale revenues, increased $133 million in 2025 compared with 2024. The increase attributable to changes in Purchased power and fuel expense was the result of a 7% decrease in the average variable power cost per MWh and a 2% increase in total system load. This was partially offset by an decrease in wholesale revenues driven by a 22% decrease in the volume of wholesale energy deliveries and a 3% lower average price per MWh sold.
The following items contributed to the increase in actual NVPC for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | $ | 860 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchased power and fuel expense | (82 | ) | ||
| Wholesale revenues | 140 | |||
| 2021 PCAM deferral amortization | (15 | ) | ||
| RCE deferral activity, net | 90 | |||
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | 993 | |||
| Change in NVPC | $ | 133 |
For further information regarding NVPC in relation to the PCAM, see “Power operations” in the Overview section of this Item 7.
Generation, transmission and distribution expense increased $14 million or 3% for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024, with the change attributed largely to the following items (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | $ | 436 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetation management, inspection, wildfire mitigation, and distribution maintenance expenses | 5 | |||
| Generation facility maintenance expenses driven by major maintenance activities and decreased run hours | (15 | ) | ||
| Service restoration and storm response costs | 9 | |||
| Business transformation and optimization expenses | 5 | |||
| Energy storage | 4 | |||
| Miscellaneous expenses | 6 | |||
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | 450 | |||
| Change in Generation, transmission and distribution | $ | 14 |
In the table above, $(2) million related to vegetation management, $13 million related to wildfire mitigation, $9 million related to storm response costs and $5 million related to major maintenance have been offset through customer prices or specific regulatory mechanisms.
Administrative and other expense decreased $11 million, or 3%, for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 due largely to the following items (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | $ | 403 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employee compensation and benefits expenses | (4 | ) | ||
| Regulatory and professional service costs | 2 | |||
| Customer related costs | (18 | ) | ||
| Business transformation and optimization expenses | 32 | |||
| Amortization of COVID-19 bad debt expense deferral | (13 | ) | ||
| Miscellaneous expenses | (10 | ) | ||
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | 392 | |||
| Change in Administrative and other | $ | (11 | ) |
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In the table above, $7 million of the decrease in customer related costs is due to regulatory programs that have been offset through customer prices or specific regulatory mechanisms.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $82 million or 17% for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to year ended December 31, 2024, with the change largely resulting from the following items (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | $ | 496 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital additions | 69 | ||
| Business transformation and optimization expenses | 1 | ||
| Activity related to regulatory programs (offset elsewhere on the income statement) | 1 | ||
| Right of use asset amortization expenses | 11 | ||
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | 578 | ||
| Change in Depreciation and amortization | $ | 82 |
Taxes other than income taxes expense increased $15 million, or 9%, in 2025 compared with 2024, primarily due to higher franchise fees and property tax expenses slightly offset by lower payroll taxes.
Interest expense increased $21 million, or 10%, in 2025 compared with 2024 driven by higher average balances of outstanding debt.
Other income, net decreased $13 million, or 27%, in 2025 compared to 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower AFUDC equity income driven by lower construction work-in progress balances and $4 million in business transformation and optimization expenses related to pension settlements.
Income tax expense increased $16 million, or 43%, in 2025 compared to 2024 primarily driven by decreased PTC benefits resulting from expiration of the 10-year PTC generation window at Tucannon near the end of 2024 and higher pre-tax income as compared to the prior year.
2024 Compared to 2023
For a comparison of the Company’s results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 to the year ended December 31, 2023, see Item 7.—” Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 14, 2025.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Discussions, forward-looking statements, and projections in this section, and similar statements in other parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are subject to PGE’s assumptions regarding the availability and cost of capital. See “Capital and credit market conditions could adversely affect the Company’s access to capital, cost of capital, and ability to execute its strategic plan.” in Item 1A.—“Risk Factors,” for further information.
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Capital Requirements
The following table presents actual capital expenditures and debt maturities for 2025 and projected capital expenditures and future debt maturities for 2026 through 2030 (in millions, excluding AFUDC):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ongoing capital expenditures (1) | $ | 642 | $ | 865 | $ | 895 | $ | 925 | $ | 925 | $ | 925 | |||||||||||
| Transmission | 174 | 215 | 390 | 420 | 515 | 525 | |||||||||||||||||
| Clearwater | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| BESS projects | 320 | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Hybrid projects | — | 575 | 455 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total capital expenditures (2) | $ | 1,143 | $ | 1,655 | $ | 1,740 | $ | 1,345 | $ | 1,440 | $ | 1,450 | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt maturities | $ | 170 | $ | — | $ | 160 | $ | 100 | $ | 200 | $ | 325 |
(1)
Consists primarily of upgrades to, and replacement of, generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, as well as new customer connects. Includes accrued capital additions, preliminary engineering, removal costs, and certain intangible working capital assets.
(2)
Amounts subsequent to 2025 are estimates as of the date of this report and may be affected by economic conditions, including but not limited to, impacts of inflation, changes to the cost of materials and labor, and financing costs.
During 2025, PGE funded its capital expenditures through a combination of cash from operations in the amount of $1.1 billion, proceeds from the issuance of FMBs in the total amount of $310 million, and net proceeds from the issuance of shares pursuant to the at-the-market offering program of $250 million. Capital expenditures in 2026 are expected to be approximately $1.7 billion. PGE plans to fund the 2026 capital expenditures with cash from operations during 2026, which is expected to range from $1 billion to $1.2 billion, the issuance of debt securities of up to $350 million, the issuance of equity securities of up to $300 million, and the issuance of commercial paper, as needed. The actual timing and amount of any such issuances of debt, equity, and commercial paper will be dependent upon the timing and amount of capital expenditures and debt payments. For a discussion concerning PGE’s ability to fund its future capital requirements, see “Debt and Equity Financings” in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this Item 7.
Liquidity
PGE’s access to short-term debt markets, including revolving credit from banks, helps provide necessary liquidity to support the Company’s current operating activities, including the purchase of power and fuel. Long-term capital requirements are driven largely by capital expenditures for generation, transmission, distribution, and energy storage facilities to support both new and existing customers, along with information technology systems and debt refinancing activities. PGE’s liquidity and capital requirements can also be significantly affected by other working capital needs, including margin deposit requirements related to wholesale market activities, which can vary depending upon the Company’s forward positions and the corresponding price curves.
The pending Acquisition to acquire PacifiCorp’s Washington state regulated utility business will require financing of $1.9 billion. The acquisition is supported by a fully committed bridge facility with Barclays Bank PLC and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. for $1.9 billion. The Company expects to permanently finance the transaction through a balanced mix of debt, equity, and its minority investment partner, Manulife Infrastructure Fund III L.P. (“Manulife”) and its affiliates including John Hancock Life Insurance Company (USA). In connection with the financing plan, PGE expects equity commitments from Manulife to finance up to $600 million of the purchase. Assuming the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and the consummation of the financing transactions, Manulife will be the Company's joint venture partner in the business. PGE would remain majority owner and sole operator.
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The Company believes its cash flow from operating activities, access to credit markets, and its credit facilities provide sufficient liquidity to support estimated future cash requirements, including the cash consideration necessary to close on the proposed Acquisition. For additional information on the proposed acquisition, see “Pending Acquisition” in the Overview section in this Item 7., and Note 21, Subsequent Events, in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
The following summarizes PGE’s cash flows for the periods presented (in millions):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | $ | 12 | $ | 5 | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||
| Operating activities | 1,118 | 778 | ||||||
| Investing activities | (1,196 | ) | (1,297 | ) | ||||
| Financing activities | 142 | 526 | ||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | 64 | 7 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | $ | 76 | $ | 12 |
2025 Compared to 2024
Cash Flows from Operating Activities—Cash flows from operating activities are generally determined by the amount and timing of cash received from customers and payments made to vendors, as well as the nature and amount of non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, and pension and other postretirement benefit costs included in net income during a given period. The following items contributed to the net change in cash flows from operations for 2025 compared to 2024 (dollars in millions):
| Increase/ (Decrease) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | $ | (7 | ) | |
| Accounts receivable and unbilled revenue | 50 | |||
| Margin deposit activity | 58 | |||
| Accounts payable | (3 | ) | ||
| Regulatory deferral activity | 149 | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | 82 | |||
| Deferred income taxes | 14 | |||
| Tax credit sales | 67 | |||
| Alternative revenue programs | (61 | ) | ||
| Other miscellaneous changes | (9 | ) | ||
| Net change in cash flow from operations | $ | 340 |
For additional information regarding changes in Net income, see the Results of Operations section in this Item 7.
Cash provided by operations includes the recovery in customer prices of non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization. The Company estimates that total depreciation and amortization in 2026 will range from $560 million to $580 million. Combined with all other sources, cash provided by operations in 2026 is estimated to range from $1 billion to $1.2 billion.
Cash provided by operations includes the recovery in customer prices of cash charges related to various long-term contractual obligations such as interest on long-term debt and purchased power and fuel contracts. PGE’s anticipated employer contributions for its defined benefit pension plan and other postretirement plans is $26 million in 2026, $23 million in 2027, $20 million in 2028, $18 million in 2029, and $17 million in 2030. Contributions are expected to be covered by cash provided by operations. For additional information regarding
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contractual obligations, see Note 16, Commitments and Guarantees, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Cash Flows from Investing Activities—Cash flows used in investing activities consist primarily of capital expenditures related to new construction and improvements to PGE’s generation, transmission, distribution, and energy storage facilities. The $101 million decrease in net cash used in investing activities in 2025 compared with 2024 is primarily due to capital expenditures related to BESS projects and other new construction and improvements to PGE’s distribution, transmission, and generation facilities.
The Company plans for $1.7 billion of capital expenditures in 2026 related to upgrades to and replacement of generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure as well as costs related to hybrid projects. PGE plans to fund the 2026 capital expenditures with cash from operations during 2026, as discussed above, as well as with the issuance of debt, issuances of shares pursuant to the at-the-market offering program, and short-term debt as necessary. For additional information, see “Capital Requirements” and “Debt and Equity Financings” in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this Item 7.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities—Financing activities provide supplemental cash for both day-to-day operations and capital requirements as needed. During 2025, cash provided by financing activities was primarily the result of the funding of $310 million in FMBs and $250 million in proceeds from the issuance of common stock pursuant to at-the-market offering programs. This was partially offset by payments of dividends in the amount of $225 million and $170 million of long-term debt.
2024 Compared to 2023
For a comparison of liquidity and capital resources and the Company’s cash flow activities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, see Item 7.—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on February 14, 2025.
Credit Ratings and Debt Covenants
PGE’s secured and unsecured debt is rated investment grade by Moody’s and S&P, with current credit ratings and outlook as follows:
| Moody’s | S&P | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issuer credit rating | A3 | BBB+ | ||
| Senior secured debt | A1 | A | ||
| Commercial paper | P-2 | A-2 | ||
| Outlook | Stable | Stable |
In December 2025, Moody’s revised the Company’s outlook from Negative back to Stable as a result of the Company's improved metrics, which are expected to remain above the downgrade threshold.
In the event Moody’s and/or S&P reduce their credit rating on PGE’s unsecured debt below investment grade, the Company could be subject to higher fees on its revolving credit facility. The Company could also be subject to requests by certain of its wholesale, commodity, and transmission counterparties to post additional performance assurance collateral in connection with its price risk management activities. The performance assurance collateral can be in the form of cash deposits or letters of credit, depending on the terms of the underlying agreements, and are based on the contract terms and commodity prices and can vary from period to period. Cash deposits provided as collateral are classified as Margin deposits in PGE’s consolidated balance sheets, while any letters of credit issued are not reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
As of December 31, 2025, PGE had posted $239 million of collateral with these counterparties, consisting of $116 million in cash and $123 million in bank letters of credit. Based on the Company’s energy portfolio,
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estimates of energy market prices, and the level of collateral outstanding as of December 31, 2025, the amount of additional collateral that could be requested upon a single agency downgrade to below investment grade is $70 million and decreases to $54 million by December 31, 2026 and $3 million by December 31, 2027. The amount of additional collateral that could be requested upon a dual agency downgrade to below investment grade as of December 31, 2025 is $168 million and decreases to $150 million by December 31, 2026 and $66 million by December 31, 2027.
On December 24, 2025, PGE executed an amendment to an existing enabling agreement with a counterparty that was holding $158 million of PGE collateral, consisting of $48 million in cash and $110 million in bank letters of credit. The amendment provided a cap of the amount required based on credit ratings. This resulted in the recall of $128 million of the posted collateral in January 2026, consisting of $48 million in cash and $80 million in bank letters of credit.
PGE’s financing arrangements do not contain ratings triggers that would result in the acceleration of required interest and principal payments in the event of a ratings downgrade. However, the cost of borrowing and issuing letters of credit under the credit facilities would increase.
The Indenture securing PGE’s outstanding FMBs constitutes a direct first mortgage lien on substantially all regulated utility property, other than expressly excepted property. Interest is payable semi-annually on FMBs. The issuance of FMBs requires that PGE meet earnings coverage and security provisions set forth in the Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust securing the bonds. PGE estimates that on December 31, 2025, under the most restrictive issuance test in the Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust, the Company could have issued up to $785 million of additional FMBs. Any issuances of FMBs would be subject to market conditions and amounts could be further limited by regulatory authorizations or by covenants and tests contained in other financing agreements. PGE also has the ability to release property from the lien of the Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust under certain circumstances, including bond credits, deposits of cash, or certain sales, exchanges, or other dispositions of property.
PGE’s credit facilities contain customary covenants and credit provisions, including a requirement that limits consolidated indebtedness, as defined in the credit agreements, to 65.0% of total capitalization (debt to total capital ratio). As of December 31, 2025, the Company’s debt to total capital ratio, as calculated under the credit agreements, was 53.0%.
Debt and Equity Financings
PGE’s ability to secure sufficient short- and long-term capital at a reasonable cost is determined by its financial performance and outlook, credit ratings, capital expenditure requirements, alternatives available to investors, market conditions, and other factors, such as the volatility in the capital markets in response to inflationary pressures and interest rate increases by the federal reserve. Management believes that the availability of its revolving credit facility, the expected ability to issue short- and long-term debt and equity securities, and cash expected to be generated from operations provide sufficient cash flow and liquidity to meet the Company’s anticipated capital and operating requirements for the foreseeable future.
Short-term Debt—Pursuant to an order issued by the FERC on January 12, 2026, PGE has authorization to issue short-term debt up to a total of $900 million through February 6, 2028. The following table shows available liquidity as of December 31, 2025 (in millions):
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| December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Outstanding | Available | |||||||||
| Revolving credit facility (1) | $ | 750 | $ | — | $ | 750 | |||||
| Letters of credit (2) | 320 | 192 | 128 | ||||||||
| Total credit | $ | 1,070 | $ | 192 | 878 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 76 | ||||||||||
| Total liquidity | $ | 954 |
(1)
Scheduled to expire in September 2030, PGE has elected to limit its borrowings under the revolving credit facility to cover any potential need to repay outstanding commercial paper. As of December 31, 2025, PGE had no commercial paper outstanding, therefore, the elected available credit capacity is $750 million.
(2)
PGE has four letter of credit facilities under which the Company can request letters of credit for an original term not to exceed one year.
As of December 31, 2025, PGE had a $750 million unsecured revolving credit facility scheduled to expire in September 2030. The facility allows for unlimited extension requests, provided that lenders with a pro-rata share of more than 50% of the facility approve the extension request. The revolving credit facility supplements operating cash flows and provides a primary source of liquidity. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the revolving credit facility may be used as backup for commercial paper borrowings, to permit the issuance of standby letters of credit, and to provide cash for general corporate purposes. PGE may borrow for one, three or six months at a fixed interest rate established at the time of the borrowing, or at a variable interest rate for any period up to the then remaining term of the applicable credit facility.
The Company has a commercial paper program under which it may issue commercial paper for terms of up to 270 days, limited to the unused amount of credit under the revolving credit facility. The Company has elected to limit its borrowings under the revolving credit facility to cover any potential need to repay commercial paper that may be outstanding at the time. As of December 31, 2025, PGE had no commercial paper outstanding.
PGE typically classifies borrowings under the revolving credit facility and outstanding commercial paper as Short-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets.
Under the revolving credit facility, as of December 31, 2025, PGE had no borrowings or commercial paper outstanding, and no letters of credit issued. As a result, as of December 31, 2025, the aggregate unused available credit capacity under the revolving credit facility was $750 million.
In addition, PGE has four letter of credit facilities under which the Company has total capacity of $320 million. The issuance of such letters of credit is subject to the approval of the issuing institution. Under these facilities, which are considered off-balance sheet arrangements, letters of credit for a total of $192 million were outstanding as of December 31, 2025. PGE works to optimize its use of its letter of credit facility to manage energy trading margin.
Long-term Debt—During 2025, PGE issued and funded a total of $310 million of Long-term Debt and repaid a total of $170 million.
On March 25, 2025, PGE entered into a Bond Purchase Agreement related to the sale of $310 million in FMBs. The Bonds were issued and funded in full on March 25, 2025 and consist of:
•
a series, due in 2035, in the amount of $60 million that will bear interest from its issuance date at an annual rate of 5.36%;
•
a series, due in 2045, in the amount of $50 million that will bear interest from its issuance date at an annual rate of 5.72%; and
•
a series, due in 2055, in the amount of $200 million that will bear interest from its issuance date at an annual rate of 5.84%.
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On November 14, 2024, PGE obtained a 366-day term loan from lenders in the aggregate principal of $300 million under a 366-Day Bridge Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the Agreement, on November 14, 2024, PGE drew a loan from the Lenders in the aggregate principal of $220 million. The term loan bore interest for the relevant interest period at the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus Term SOFR Adjustment Rate of 10 basis points and Applicable Margin of 80.0 basis points. The interest rate was subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the loan. On December 31, 2024, PGE repaid $50 million of the term loan, leaving an outstanding balance of $170 million. On March 31, 2025, the Company repaid another $102 million, and on October 27, 2025 repaid the remaining balance of $68 million, repaying the loan in full.
As of December 31, 2025, total long-term debt outstanding, net of $17 million of unamortized debt expense, was $4,662 million, none of which is scheduled to mature in 2026.
Equity—In July 2024, PGE entered into an equity distribution agreement under which it could sell up to $400 million of its common stock through at-the-market offering programs. The Company entered into forward sale agreements for 5,756,432 shares and 1,420,049 shares in 2025 and 2024, respectively. In 2024, the Company issued 1,066,549 shares pursuant to the forward sale agreements and received net proceeds of $50 million. During 2025, the Company issued 5,919,618 shares pursuant to the forward sale agreements and received net proceeds of $250 million. The Company could have physically settled the remaining amount by delivering 190,314 shares in exchange for cash of $8 million as of December 31, 2025. Any proceeds from the issuances of common stock will be used for general corporate purposes and investments in renewables and non-emitting dispatchable capacity.
PGE anticipates entering into a new at-the-market offering program in the first quarter of 2026. Any proceeds from the issuances of common stock will be used for general corporate purposes and investments in renewables and non-emitting dispatchable capacity.
For additional information on the at-the-market offering program, see Note 13, Equity-based Plans, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Capital Structure—PGE’s financial objectives include maintaining a common equity ratio (common equity to total consolidated capitalization, including current debt maturities and excluding lease obligations) of approximately 50% over time. Achievement of this objective helps the Company maintain investment grade debt ratings and provides access to long-term capital at favorable interest rates. The Company’s common equity ratio was 47.0% and 45.6% as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires that management apply accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the statements. The following accounting policies represent those that management believes are particularly important to the consolidated financial statements and that require the use of estimates, assumptions, and judgments to determine matters that are inherently uncertain.
Regulatory Accounting
As a rate-regulated enterprise, PGE applies regulatory accounting, which includes the recognition of regulatory assets and liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Regulatory assets represent probable future revenue associated with certain incurred costs that are expected to be recovered from customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory liabilities represent probable future reductions in revenues associated with amounts that are expected to be credited or refunded to customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory accounting is appropriate as long as prices are established or subject to approval by independent third-party regulators, prices are designed to recover the specific enterprise’s cost-of-service, and, in view of demand for service, it is reasonable to assume that prices set at levels that will recover costs can be charged to and collected from customers. Amortization of regulatory assets and liabilities is reflected in the statement of income over the period in which they are included in customer prices.
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If future recovery of regulatory assets is not probable, PGE would expense such items in the period such determination is made. Further, if PGE determines that all or a portion of its utility operations no longer meet the criteria for continued application of regulatory accounting, the Company would be required to write off those regulatory assets and liabilities related to operations that no longer meet requirements for regulatory accounting. Discontinued application of regulatory accounting would have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
For additional information on PGE’s regulatory assets and liabilities, see “Regulatory Matters” in the Overview section in this Item 7., and Note 7, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Asset Retirement Obligations
PGE recognizes AROs for legal obligations related to dismantlement and restoration costs associated with the future retirement of tangible long-lived assets. Upon initial recognition of AROs that are measurable, the probability-weighted future cash flows for the associated retirement costs, discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate, are recognized as both a liability and as an increase in the capitalized carrying amount of the related long-lived assets. Due to the long lead time involved, a market-risk premium cannot be determined for inclusion in future cash flows. In estimating the liability, management must utilize significant judgment and assumptions in determining whether a legal obligation exists to remove assets. Other estimates may be related to lease provisions, ownership agreements, licensing issues, cost estimates, inflation, and certain legal requirements. Estimates for ARO liabilities are generally based on site-specific studies and are periodically subject to updates and changes that may arise over time.
Capitalized asset retirement costs related to electric utility plant are depreciated over the estimated life of the related asset and included in Depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of income. For revisions to ARO liabilities in which the related asset is no longer in service, the corresponding offset is recorded as a Regulatory asset on the consolidated balance sheets, except for those AROs related to non-utility assets which is charged to Depreciation and amortization on the consolidated statements of income. Accretion of the ARO liability is classified as Depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of income. Accumulated asset retirement removal costs that do not qualify as AROs have been reclassified from accumulated depreciation to regulatory liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
As a co-owner of Colstrip, PGE has provided surety bonds, which are considered off-balance sheet arrangements, of $18 million as of December 31, 2025 on behalf of the operator to ensure the operation and maintenance of remedial and closure actions are carried out related to the Administrative Order on Consent Regarding Impacts Related to Wastewater Facilities Comprising the Closed-Loop System at Colstrip Steam Electric Station, Colstrip Montana (the AOC) as required by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. It is possible that each co-owner of Colstrip will be required, at some future point, to post additional financial assurance to support further performance by the operator of closure and remediation actions under the AOC.
For additional information on AROs, see Note 8, Asset Retirement Obligations, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Contingencies
PGE has various unresolved legal and regulatory matters about which there is inherent uncertainty, with the ultimate outcome contingent upon several factors. Such contingencies are evaluated using the best information available. A loss contingency is accrued, and disclosed if material, when it is probable that an asset has been impaired, or a liability incurred, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. If a range of probable loss is established, the minimum amount in the range is accrued, unless some other amount within the range appears to be a better estimate. If the probable loss cannot be reasonably estimated, no accrual is recorded, but the loss contingency and the reasons to the effect that it cannot be reasonably estimated are disclosed. A loss contingency will also be disclosed when it is reasonably possible that a liability has been incurred if the estimate
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or range of potential loss is material. Established accruals reflect management’s assessment of inherent risks, credit worthiness, and complexities involved in the process. There can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of any particular contingency.
For additional information on contingencies, see Note 19, Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000784977-25-000012.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this report includes statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to expectations, beliefs, plans, assumptions and objectives concerning future results of operations, business prospects, loads, outcome of litigation and regulatory proceedings, capital expenditures, market conditions, events or performance, and other matters. Words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “will likely result,” “will continue,” “should,” “based on,” “conditioned upon,” “considers,” “could,” “expected,” “forecast,” “goals,” “needs,” “promises,” “subject to,” “targets,” or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed. PGE’s expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis including, but not limited to, management’s examination of historical operating trends and data contained either in internal records or available from third parties, but there can be no assurance that PGE’s expectations, beliefs, or projections will be achieved or accomplished.
In addition to any assumptions and other factors and matters referred to specifically in connection with forward-looking statements, factors that could cause actual results or outcomes for PGE to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements include:
•governmental policies, legislative action, and regulatory audits, investigations and actions, including those of the FERC, the OPUC, the SEC, the Division of Enforcement of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the EPA, and the ODEQ with respect to allowed rates of return, financings, electricity pricing and price structures, acquisition and disposal of facilities and other assets, construction and operation of
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plant facilities, transmission of electricity, recovery of power costs, operating expenses, deferrals, timely recovery of costs, and capital investments, energy trading activities, and current or prospective wholesale and retail competition;
•uncertainties associated with increased energy demand or significant accelerated growth in demand due to new data centers, including the concentration of data centers, and the ability to obtain regulatory approvals, environmental, and other permits to construct new facilities in a timely manner;
•economic conditions that result in decreased demand for electricity, reduced revenue from sales of excess energy during periods of low wholesale market prices, impaired financial stability of vendors and service providers and elevated levels of uncollectible customer accounts;
•inflation and volatility in interest rates;
•changing customer expectations and choices that may reduce customer demand for PGE’s services may impact the Company’s ability to make and recover its investments through rates and earn its authorized return on equity, including the impact of growing distributed and renewable generation resources, changing customer demand for enhanced electric services, and an increasing risk that customers procure electricity from registered ESSs or the adoption of community choice aggregation;
•the timing or outcome of legal and regulatory proceedings and issues including, but not limited to, the matters described in Regulatory Matters of the “Overview” in this Item 7. and Note 19, Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.— “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K;
•natural or human-caused disasters and other risks, including, but not limited to, earthquake, flood, ice, drought, extreme heat, lightning, wind, fire, accidents, equipment failure, acts of terrorism, computer system outages and other events that disrupt PGE operations, damage PGE facilities and systems, cause the release of harmful materials, cause fires, and subject the Company to liability;
•unseasonable or severe weather and other natural phenomena, such as the greater size and prevalence of wildfires in Oregon in recent years, which could affect public safety, customers’ demand for power and PGE’s financial health and ability and cost to procure adequate power and fuel supplies to serve its customers, access the wholesale energy market, or operate its generating facilities and transmission and distribution systems, and the Company’s costs to maintain, repair, and replace such facilities and systems, and recovery of costs;
•ignitions caused by PGE assets or PGE’s ability to effectively implement a PSPS and de-energize its system in the event of heightened wildfire risk or implement effective system hardening programs, the inability of which could lead to potential liability if energized systems are involved in wildfires that cause harm, as well as the risk that damages from wildfires may not be recoverable through prices or insurance, resulting in impact to the financial condition or reputation of the Company;
•operational factors affecting PGE’s power generating and battery storage facilities, including forced outages, fires, unscheduled delays, environmental impacts, hydro and wind conditions, and disruption of fuel supply, any of which may cause the Company to incur repair costs or purchase replacement power at increased costs;
•default or nonperformance on the part of any parties from whom PGE purchases fuel, capacity, or energy, which may cause the Company to incur costs to purchase replacement power and related renewable attributes at increased costs;
•complications arising from PGE’s jointly-owned plant, including changes in ownership, adverse regulatory outcomes or legislative actions, or operational failures that result in legal or environmental liabilities or unanticipated costs related to replacement power, repair costs, or abandoned costs;
•delays in the supply chain and increased supply costs, failure to complete capital projects on schedule or within budget, failure to obtain permits, inability to complete negotiations on contracts for capital projects, failure of counterparties to perform under agreements, or the abandonment of capital projects, any of which
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could result in the Company’s inability to recover project costs, or impact PGE’s competitive position, market share, or results of operations in a material way;
•volatility in wholesale power and natural gas prices, including but not limited to volatility caused by macroeconomic and international issues, that could require PGE to post additional collateral or issue additional letters of credit pursuant to power and natural gas purchase agreements;
•changes in the availability and price of wholesale power and fuels, including natural gas and coal, and the impact of such changes on the Company’s power costs;
•capital market conditions, including availability of capital, volatility of interest rates, reductions in demand for investment-grade commercial paper, volatility of equity markets as well as changes in PGE’s credit ratings, any of which could have an impact on the Company’s cost of capital and its ability to access the capital markets to support requirements for working capital, construction of capital projects, the repayments of maturing debt, and stock-based compensation plans, which are relied upon in part to retain key executives and employees;
•future laws, regulations, and proceedings that could increase the Company’s costs of operating its thermal generating plants, or affect the operations of such plants by imposing requirements for additional emissions controls or significant emissions fees or taxes, particularly with respect to coal-fired generating facilities, in order to mitigate carbon dioxide, mercury, and other gas emissions;
•changes in, and compliance with, environmental laws and policies, including those related to threatened and endangered species, fish, and wildlife;
•the effects of climate change, whether global or local in nature, including unseasonable or extreme weather and other natural phenomena that may affect energy costs or consumption, increase the Company’s costs, cause damage to PGE facilities and system, or adversely affect its operations;
•changes in residential, commercial, or industrial customer growth, or demographic patterns, including changes in load resulting in future transmission constraints, in PGE’s service territory;
•the effectiveness of PGE’s risk management policies and procedures;
•cybersecurity attacks, data security breaches, physical attacks and security breaches, or other malicious acts, internally or to third parties, that cause damage to the Company’s generation, transmission, or distribution facilities, information technology systems, inhibit the capability of equipment or systems to function as designed or expected, or result in the release of confidential customer, vendor, employee, or Company information;
•physical attacks upon Company employees;
•employee workforce factors, including potential strikes, work stoppages, transitions in senior management, the ability to recruit and retain key employees and other talent, and turnover due to macroeconomic trends such as voluntary resignation of large numbers of employees similar to that experienced by other employers and industries during the COVID-19 pandemic;
•new federal, state, and local laws that could have adverse effects on operating results;
•failure to achieve the Company’s GHG emission goals or being perceived to have either failed to act responsibly with respect to the environment or effectively respond to legislative requirements concerning GHG emission reductions, any of which could lead to adverse publicity and have adverse effects on the Company's operations and/or damage the Company's reputation;
•social attitudes regarding the electric utility and power industries;
•political and economic conditions;
•the impact of widespread health developments, and responses to such developments (such as voluntary and mandatory quarantines, including government stay at home orders, as well as shut downs and other restrictions on travel, commercial, social, and other activities), which could materially and adversely affect,
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among other things, demand for electric services, customers’ ability to pay, supply chains, personnel, contract counterparties, liquidity and financial markets;
•changes in financial or regulatory accounting principles or policies imposed by governing bodies;
•risks and uncertainties related to current or future All-Source RFP projects, including, but not limited to regulatory processes, transmission capabilities, system interconnections, inflationary impacts, supply chain constraints, supply cost increases (including application of tariffs), permitting and construction delays, and legislative uncertainty; and
•acts of war, terrorism, or civil disruption.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by law, PGE undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors or assess the impact of any such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
Overview
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to provide an understanding of the business environment, results of operations, and financial condition of PGE. MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements contained in this report, and other periodic and current reports filed with the SEC.
PGE is a vertically-integrated electric utility engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the State. The Company participates in wholesale markets by purchasing and selling electricity, natural gas, and environmental credits in an effort to meet the needs of, and obtain reasonably-priced power for, its retail customers, manage risk, and administer its long-term wholesale contracts. In addition, PGE continues to develop products and service offerings for the benefit of retail and wholesale customers. The Company generates revenues and cash flows primarily from the sale and distribution of electricity to retail customers in its service territory in the State.
Company Strategy
The Company exists to power the advancement of society. PGE energizes lives, strengthens communities, and fosters energy solutions that promote social, economic, and environmental progress. The Company is committed to being a clean energy leader and delivering steady growth and returns to shareholders. PGE is focused on working with customers, communities, policy makers, and other stakeholders to deliver affordable, safe, reliable electricity service to all, while increasing opportunities to deliver clean and renewable energy, reducing GHG emissions, and responding to evolving customer expectations. At the same time, the Company is building an increasingly smart, integrated, and interconnected grid that spans from residential customers to other utilities within the region. PGE is transforming all aspects of its business to empower its workforce to be even more results oriented to serve customers well. To create a clean energy future, PGE is focused on the following strategic imperatives:
•Decarbonize Power—Reduce GHG emissions associated with electricity served to retail customers by at least 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2040;
•Electrify the Economy—Increase beneficial electricity use to capture the benefits of new technologies while building an increasingly clean, flexible and reliable grid; and
•Advance Performance—Improve safety, efficiency, and system and equipment reliability while maintaining affordable energy service and growing earnings per share 5% to 7% annually.
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Climate Change
State-mandated GHG emissions reduction targets—In June 2021, the Oregon legislature passed HB 2021, establishing a 100% clean electricity by 2040 framework for PGE and other investor-owned utilities and ESSs in the State. A number of provisions in the bill align with PGE’s strategic direction, and highlight Oregon’s ambitious, economy-wide goals to combat climate change. The GHG emissions reduction targets applicable to these regulated entities are an 80% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2040 and every year thereafter. For more information regarding HB 2021 and the baseline to which the target reductions apply, see “HB 2021” in the “Laws and Regulations” section of this Overview.
Empowering customers and communities—PGE’s customers have a desire for purchasing clean energy, as over 230 thousand residential and small commercial customers voluntarily participate in PGE’s Green Future Program, the largest renewable power program by participation in the nation. In 2017, Oregon’s most populous city, Portland, and most populous county, Multnomah, each passed resolutions to achieve 100% clean and renewable electricity by 2035 and 100% economy-wide clean and renewable energy by 2050. Other jurisdictions in PGE’s service area have similar goals and continue to consider similar goals for the future.
The Company implemented a customer subscription option, the Green Future Impact Program, which is a renewable energy program that allows large business and municipality customers to have a choice in how they source their electricity. Under the Green Future Impact Program, customers can enroll in a Customer-Supplied Option (CSO) or PGE-Supplied Option (PSO). Under the CSO, participants are responsible for finding a renewable energy facility that meets established requirements and bringing those resources to PGE. Under the PSO, customers who enrolled in Phase I can receive energy from PGE-provided PPAs for renewable resources and customers who enroll in Phase II can receive energy either from PGE-provided PPAs for renewable resources or energy from renewable resources that are PGE owned, under certain conditions.
As of December 31, 2024, the Green Future Impact Program has an approved capacity of 750 MW nameplate, of which 482 MW have been subscribed. Through this voluntary program, the Company seeks to support the customers’ clean energy acceleration.
The Climate Pledge—In 2021, PGE joined The Climate Pledge, a commitment to be net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040, which is a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s goal of 2050. As a signatory to The Climate Pledge, PGE agrees to: i) measure and report GHG emissions on a regular basis; ii) implement decarbonization strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business changes and innovations, including efficiency improvements, renewable energy, materials reductions, and other carbon emission elimination strategies; and iii) neutralize any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent, and socially-beneficial offsets.
Severe weather—In recent years, PGE’s territory has experienced unprecedented heat, historic ice and snowstorms, and wildfires. In August 2023 the region experienced a record-breaking heat wave with temperatures reaching all-time recorded highs for the month. This resulted in a peak load demand of 4,498 MW, exceeding the Company’s previous all-time peak load demand. Beginning January 13, 2024, the Company’s service territory encountered the first of a series of severe winter weather events, including snow, ice, and high winds that caused catastrophic damage to physical assets and resulted in widespread customer power outages. For more information regarding the January 2024 severe winter weather events, see “Declared States of Emergency” and “RCE” within the Regulatory Matters section of this Overview. The increase and impact of severe weather events highlights the importance of combating the effects of climate change through decarbonizing the power supply and investing in a more reliable and resilient grid.
Investing in a Clean Energy Future
The Resource Planning Process—PGE’s resource planning process includes working with customers, stakeholders, and regulators to chart the course toward a clean, affordable, and reliable energy future. With the passage of HB 2021, PGE created a Clean Energy Plan (CEP), which articulates the Company’s strategy to meet the
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2030, 2035, and 2040 emission reduction targets through an equitable transition to a decarbonized grid. The CEP is based on, and was filed in connection with, the Company’s 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). PGE filed its first combined IRP and CEP with the OPUC in March 2023. That filing projected PGE’s resource and capacity needs over the next 20 years and proposed an Action Plan to meet near-term needs, subject to the new HB 2021 emissions reduction requirements.
Throughout the remainder of 2023, PGE refreshed its forecasts, first in an Addendum filed in July 2023 then several times in subsequent comments in the CEP and IRP docket with the OPUC (LC 80). PGE currently estimates a total resource need of approximately 3,500 to 4,500 MW of renewable energy and non-emitting capacity in order to make continual progress towards meeting the Company’s clean energy targets. Through the 2021 All-Source RFP, PGE procured 311 MW of wind resources and 475 MW of capacity, leaving a remaining need to procure approximately 2,700 to 3,700 MW.
On January 25, 2024, the OPUC acknowledged PGE’s IRP, subject to certain conditions, providing regulatory support for the Company to pursue the near-term resource additions articulated in the Action Plan. However, the OPUC declined to acknowledge the CEP, directing the Company to provide additional forecast of its emission reductions based on new analysis in the CEP/IRP Update to be filed in April 2025. PGE will continue to pursue its 2023 All-Source RFP while revising forecasts of emissions in the CEP.
2021 and 2023 All-Source RFPs
Pursuant to the 2021 All-Source RFP process, which sought approximately 1,000 MW of renewable resources and non-emitting dispatchable capacity, PGE entered into agreements to acquire resources as follows:
•Clearwater Wind Development—The 311 MW wind energy facility is part of the larger Clearwater Wind Development in Eastern Montana. PGE owns 208 MW of production capacity of the facility. Subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which operates the facility, owns the remaining 103 MW of production capacity and sells their portion of the output to PGE under a 30-year PPA. The Company owned portion of the facility was placed in-service during the first quarter of 2024. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has recorded $414 million in Electric Utility Plant, net, including Allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC).
•Seaside Grid—The 200 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility, located in Portland, Oregon has an estimated commercial operation date of June 30, 2025 and will be owned by PGE. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has recorded $225 million, including AFUDC, in construction work-in-progress (CWIP) for the Seaside Grid.
•Constable BESS (formerly Evergreen)—The 75 MW BESS facility, located in Hillsboro, Oregon was placed in-service on December 20, 2024 and is owned by PGE. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has recorded $156 million in Electric Utility Plant, net, including AFUDC.
•Sundial BESS (formerly Troutdale Grid)—The 200 MW BESS facility, located in Troutdale, Oregon, reached commercial operations on December 20, 2024. NextEra Energy Resources, LLC owns the resource and sells the capacity to PGE under a 20-year agreement.
The agreements related to the Clearwater Wind Development and all BESS agreements represent the final procurement from the 2021 All-Source RFP. Resources required to meet the remaining 2030 need are anticipated to be procured through future acquisition processes, including, but not limited to, the 2023 All-Source RFP and future RFPs.
All BESS projects will be directly interconnected to PGE’s transmission and distribution system. In the event emissions are associated with energy obtained to charge the BESS, they are accounted for when they are emitted from the generating facility. As such, BESS projects do not add incremental emissions to the grid, and therefore, are considered non-emitting dispatchable capacity resources. The BESS facilities qualify for ITCs. The agreements related to the Clearwater Wind Development qualify for PTCs and are eligible under Oregon’s RPS. The agreements will be subject to prudency review by the OPUC.
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PGE filed notice with the OPUC in January 2023 that an RFP was needed to procure resources to meet forecasted capacity shortfalls and to make continued progress toward decarbonization targets under HB 2021. These actions were consistent with the 2023 IRP Action Plan. PGE filed the draft 2023 All-Source RFP with the OPUC in May 2023 and regulatory approval was granted in January 2024. The Company issued the 2023 All-Source RFP to market in February 2024, seeking bids for resources that can provide non-emitting dispatchable capacity and renewable generation.
After a robust and competitive bidding process performed in accordance with Oregon's competitive bidding rules, and with the active participation of, and oversight by, an OPUC-selected third-party independent evaluator, on September 17, 2024, PGE submitted a request for acknowledgement of the final shortlist of bidders to the OPUC. On October 7, 2024, the Company filed notification that one project on the final shortlist was no longer available.
PGE constructed the final short list to provide optionality and address the Company’s future capacity need. The Company ranked the final shortlist in two groups, prioritized based on performance in the RFP price scoring evaluation, representing the optimal intersection of value to customers at the least-cost and the least-risk. These two groups together represented the final shortlist of projects recommended for regulatory acknowledgement. On November 19, 2024, the OPUC acknowledged, with conditions, PGE’s final shortlist of resources as follows:
•Group A, as shown below, consisted of three bids that are top performing and PGE expected to enter commercial negotiation for all of these projects. Group A included 375 megawatts (MW) nameplate of renewable resources and 400 MW nameplate of battery storage; and
•Group B, as shown below, consisted of five bids, all of which represent capacity options via BESS facilities. These projects are also high performing and PGE may enter commercial negotiations with some or all of these projects, allowing flexibility to address any remaining capacity need. Group B includes 885 MW nameplate of battery storage.
The proposals for renewable resources provide various combinations of solar and battery storage options that include PPAs along with Company-owned resources via Build Transfer Agreements (BTA). The proposals for non-emitting dispatchable capacity resources provide battery storage options that include PPAs along with Company-owned resources via BTAs.
| 2023 RFP Final Shortlist | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Technology | Structure | MW | Company-owned MW | |||||
| Group A | 1 | Solar, Battery | PPA | 250 (1) | — | ||||
| 2 | Battery | BTA | 400 | 400 | |||||
| 3 | Solar, Battery | BTA | 125 (1) | 125 | |||||
| Group B | 4 | Battery | PPA | 185 | — | ||||
| 5 | Battery | PPA | 200 | — | |||||
| 6 | Battery | Hybrid (2) | 200 | 100 | |||||
| 7 | Battery | Hybrid (2) | 200 | 100 | |||||
| 8 | Battery | BTA | 100 | 100 |
(1) MW values do not include nameplate capacity of paired energy storage of 250 MW for project 1 and 125 MW for project 3.
(2) Hybrid commercial structure includes a PPA portion and a Company-owned portion of project resources.
On December 12, 2024, Project 1 in Group A notified PGE that it was withdrawing from commercial negotiations. PGE continues to negotiate with the remaining Group A projects and aims to finalize contracts over the course of 2025.
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RFP final shortlist projects were evaluated and selected based on conditions as of the final shortlist date and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, regulatory processes, inflationary impacts, supply chain constraints, supply cost increases (including the application of trade tariffs), and legislative uncertainty.
Additional details of the 2023 RFP (OPUC Docket UM 2274) are available on the OPUC website at www.oregon.gov/puc.
Both the 2021 and 2023 RFPs were the subject of regulatory and legal challenges initiated by NewSun Energy LLC, focused on the scoring methodology of the RFPs and OPUC acknowledgement of the final shortlists. However, two of NewSun’s challenges to the 2021 RFP were dismissed as moot in recent court decisions. PGE has joined the proceedings as an intervenor, and the remaining challenges are in various stages of litigation or regulatory review. PGE cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings or potential impact, if any, on its 2021 and 2023 All-Source RFP process.
2025 All-Source RFP
PGE filed notice with the OPUC in November 2024 that an RFP in 2025 was needed to procure resources to meet a forecasted 2029 capacity shortfall and to make continued progress toward decarbonization targets under HB 2021. These actions were consistent with the 2023 IRP Action Plan and CEP. PGE plans to file the draft 2025 All-Source RFP in the first half of 2025.
Transmission Upgrades
In alignment with local and regional transmission plans, the 2023 IRP Action Plan, and CEP, PGE is evaluating and implementing upgrades to existing transmission resources and expansions of current transmission networks. Transmission resource actions are intended to alleviate congestion, improve regional adequacy and reliability, enable decarbonization goals, and address growing customer demand.
On May 28, 2024, PGE signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding in the development of the North Plains Connector, an approximately 415-mile, high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission line to be constructed with endpoints near Bismarck, North Dakota and Colstrip, Montana. The parties have entered negotiations with the U.S. DOE to finalize the project objectives, terms, and conditions, including the Company’s participation, which is expected to involve a 20% ownership share of the approximately $3.2 billion total investment of the project. On August 6, 2024, the project was awarded a $700 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program to further support its development and would reduce the overall total investment of the project.
The North Plains Connector would be the nation’s first HVDC transmission connection among three regional U.S. electric energy markets, providing additional flexibility and the sharing of resources across multiple time zones. PGE's resource planning process indicates the need for transmission to provide additional transfer capacity, access to diverse energy resources, access to enhanced wholesale markets, and to ease congestion on the existing western transmission system. PGE continues to explore the North Plains Connector as a resource to meet those load-service needs.
The United States Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) selected the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (CTWS), with PGE as a subrecipient under the grant, for a $250 million grant to upgrade the existing 230 kV Bethel-Round Butte Transmission line to 500 kV. The project will accelerate the development of transmission capacity, enabling new carbon-free generation in Central and Eastern Oregon to reach customer demand loads in Western Oregon. The added capacity and associated upgrades will also increase resiliency of the transmission system as well as resiliency of the CTWS communities by increasing resources available to CTWS to support adaptation and response strategies. See “Federal Grants” in this Overview for further discussion.
Building a resilient grid—To serve communities with clean energy, PGE’s grid of the future will need to be smart and adaptive. Highlights of PGE’s key investments and plans for building a resilient grid include:
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•Wildfire Mitigation—PGE has a Wildfire Mitigation Program under which an annual Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP) is developed and submitted to the OPUC, as required by State law, to coordinate activities across the Company and with State-wide stakeholders. The 2025 WMP Update forecasts $53 to $57 million in operations and maintenance costs and an additional $57 to $78 million in capital investments, for the year ending 2025, to continue system hardening efforts, expand situational awareness capabilities, implement specific inspection and maintenance along with vegetation management, raise community and customer awareness, and take operational actions within high fire risk zones. PGE strives to improve regional safety by reducing the risk that PGE’s electric utility infrastructure could cause a wildfire, while limiting the impacts of PSPS events and other mitigation activities on customers and increasing the resiliency of PGE assets to wildfire damage. During 2024, PGE invested $40 million in capital projects related to wildfire mitigation and resiliency and utility asset management, consistent with the 2024 WMP. See the “Wildfire Mitigation” section in Note 7, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for further discussion.
•Virtual Power Plant (VPP)—PGE’s VPP is comprised of Distributed Energy Resources and flexible loads that are managed through technology platforms to provide grid and power operations services. PGE’s customer offerings related to flexible load programs, rooftop solar, battery storage, and electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions support grid reliability and increase portfolio flexibility and resource diversity. These Distributed Energy Resources and flexible loads are the foundation of PGE’s VPP that increasingly provides a growing suite of grid and system services over time. When coordinated through the Company’s Distributed Energy Resources Management Systems, Distributed Energy Resource and flexible loads support cost-effective decarbonization, advance customer and community energy resiliency, promote customer engagement with the energy system, and unlock additional grid services that enhance PGE’s operation of a dynamic two-way system. Customer participation in the VPP helps avoid customer service interruptions and reduces exposure to scarcity pricing in energy markets. On July 8, 2024, customer actions, orchestrated through the VPP, reduced load by more than 100 MW. As their participation in PGE’s VPP grows, customer actions provide increasing benefit and help avoid customer service interruptions and reduce exposure to scarcity pricing in energy markets.
•Distribution System Plan (DSP)—In 2021 and 2022, PGE filed its inaugural DSP in two parts, which were accepted by the OPUC in March 2022 and February 2023, respectively. The OPUC Staff finalized their review of modifications to the current DSP guidelines in the fourth quarter of 2024 and PGE filed its next DSP in December 2024, fully compliant with the updated requirement. The DSP outlines distribution system assets, describes how the Company plans for new load, including distributed resources such as EVs and Solar Photovoltaic installations, and presents the vision for modernizing the grid to enable accelerated decarbonization and customer participation in meeting PGE’s clean energy goals.
Electrify the economy—To help Oregon reach its decarbonization goals, PGE is working to build a safe, reliable, and affordable, economy-wide, clean energy future. The Company is committed to increasing electrification of buildings and supporting vehicle electrification for customers, as well as its own vehicle fleet.
Transportation electrification (TE) is one of the most significant ways to reduce GHG emissions in Oregon. PGE is engaged with customers and communities to manage EV charging load, develop infrastructure projects aimed at improving accessibility to EV charging stations, build electric fleet partnerships, and offer programs to supporting customers’ transitions to TE.
In 2021, the Oregon legislature enacted HB 2165, ensuring the OPUC has clear and broad authority to allow electric company investments in infrastructure to support TE.
In 2023, PGE’s second TE plan was filed and accepted by the OPUC in October 2023. The TE plan considers current and planned activities, along with forecasted EV loads and potential system impacts. The 2023 TE plan represents a continuation of the approach and programmatic efforts found within PGE’s 2019 TE plan while also outlining the Company’s current strategy to integrate TE into utility business in order to plan, service, and manage EV load.
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In the 2023 to 2025 period covered by the 2023 TE plan, capital expenditures are expected to be approximately
$14 million.
Businesses and families continue to turn to electricity to serve their home and workplace needs. PGE continues to pursue advanced technologies to enhance the grid, pursue distributed generation and energy storage, and develop microgrids and the use of data and analytics to better predict demand and support energy-saving customer programs.
Laws and Regulations
Executive Orders—A series of Presidential executive orders were recently issued that relate to changes in energy and environmental policies. These orders aim to accelerate fossil fuel development, reverse climate change and environmental justice initiatives, and halt wind farm construction on federal lands and waters. Key actions include potential tariffs on natural gas imports, reviewing agency actions that burden domestic energy resources, pausing disbursement of federal funding, streamlining permitting processes, and declaring a national emergency to expedite energy projects, particularly on the West Coast.
PGE is analyzing these executive orders to understand their potential impact on grant funding, which include Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Community Benefits Plans, and potential supply tariffs, including natural gas used as fuel that is imported from Canada. PGE plans to collaborate with industry groups to engage with the administration when appropriate, while closely monitoring the implementation and legal challenges arising from these executive orders. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of executive orders or the impact they may have on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Federal Grants—In November 2021, the $1.2 trillion IIJA, which includes approximately $550 billion of new federal spending, was signed into law. PGE continues to pursue multiple areas under the IIJA, and other state and federal programs, for potential grant funding of projects. These projects target improvements in electrical system reliability and resiliency, wildfire situational awareness and mitigation, greater communications capabilities, advancements in customer usage analytics using artificial intelligence, renewable resources and advanced electrical grid support, hydro generation operations, hydrogen production, and regional transmission capacity constraints.
As of December 31, 2024, PGE has been associated with the submission of 42 grant applications as the Prime or Sub-recipient/Supporter and has been awarded 10 grants totaling $315 million, including the following:
•U.S. DOE Bethel-Round Butte Transmission Line Upgrade—The U.S. DOE selected the CTWS, with PGE as a subrecipient under the grant, for a $250 million grant to upgrade the existing 230 kV Bethel-Round Butte Transmission line to 500 kV. The US DOE and CTWS, as the prime recipient, entered into a Cooperative Agreement on August 13, 2024. Subsequently CTWS entered into a subrecipient agreement with PGE on December 1, 2024. These agreements memorialize the funding and scope for the multiyear line upgrade. See “Transmission Upgrades” in this Overview for further discussion.
•U.S. DOE Grid Edge Devices—The U.S. DOE selected and subsequently entered into an agreement on October 1, 2024 with PGE leading a consortium for a $50 million grant for the Grid Edge Devices project. The project will enable real-time information at each meter to improve the visibility of the electrical system to grid operators, providing detection of potential operational problems and shorten outage times, ultimately helping to anticipate and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather on grid resiliency.
As of December 31, 2024, PGE has incurred an immaterial amount of costs associated with its Federal grants, and continues to assess the impacts of these federal grants on the Company’s financial position and results of operations, including the effects of the Presidential executive orders noted above. Although PGE continues to apply for additional grants, the Company cannot predict the ultimate timing and success of securing funding from federal programs.
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Inflation Reduction Act of 2022—The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) was signed into law in August 2022 with a majority of the provisions effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022.
The United States Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service released extensive rules addressing credit transfer eligibility and application, including but not limited to, required registration, filing, and documentation for transferors and transferees to elect and claim a credit transfer. In December 2023, PGE received approval from the OPUC to transfer 2023 PTCs and record any difference in the full value and the discounted value in a property balancing account. Consistent with options available under the IRA, the Company transferred 2023 credits with the final transfer occurring in the first quarter of 2024. On April 17, 2024, PGE received approval from the OPUC to transfer 2024 and 2025 PTCs and record any difference between the full value and the discounted value in a property balancing account. On December 11, 2024, PGE received approval from the OPUC to transfer 2024 ITCs and return the net proceeds from the sale to PGE customers. PGE has entered into agreements to transfer 2023 to 2025 tax credits and transferred $112 million and $24 million, net of discounts, for cash proceeds in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Company believes the tax incentives in the IRA provide additional investment opportunities for PGE and provide benefits to customers. Increased capital expenditures in such investment opportunities would likely result in additional financing needs through debt and equity instruments. PGE continues to monitor for potential impacts to its business due to executive orders that may change tax incentives under IRA programs. See “Executive Orders” in this Overview section, for further information.
HB 2021—Among other things, HB 2021 requires retail electricity providers to reduce GHG emissions associated with serving Oregon retail electricity consumers to certain targets: 80% reduction by 2030; 90% by 2035; and 100% by 2040, compared to a baseline emission level. The baseline emission level is calculated for each provider by using average annual emissions associated with power generated and purchased for retail load for the years 2010 through 2012, which provide a representative sample of various hydroelectric production years.
HB 2021 requires utilities to develop a CEP for meeting the reduction targets, concurrent with each IRP. In reviewing a CEP, the OPUC must ensure that utilities create a plan that is in the public interest, demonstrate continual progress toward meeting the targets, and take actions as soon as practicable that facilitate rapid reduction of GHG emissions. Further, the CEP must result in an affordable, reliable, and clean electric system. The law does not require particular GHG percentage reductions be attained until 2030. The law contains a cost cap and reliability related provisions that can slow or pause compliance with the GHG targets, if implicated. The OPUC has a current open docket, UM 2273, in which provisions regarding the cost cap are being investigated.
A separate law adopted in 2009 requires retail electricity providers to report annually to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) the GHG emissions associated with electricity used to serve retail customers. The OPUC must use the data reported to the ODEQ to determine whether the GHG targets have been met.
RPS standards and related laws—In 2016, Oregon Senate Bill (SB) 1547 increased the 2007 benchmarks for the percentage of electricity that must come from renewable sources by dates certain and required the elimination of coal as a fuel for generation of electricity used to serve Oregon utility customers no later than 2030.
The Company has a 20% ownership share in Colstrip and, in response to SB 1547, has accelerated depreciation of Colstrip to December 31, 2025. In order to meet PGE’s regulatory, legislative, and reliability requirements, the Company continues to evaluate the continuation of its ownership in Colstrip. See Note 19, Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for information regarding legal proceedings related to Colstrip.
Any reduction in generation from Colstrip has the potential to provide additional capacity availability on the Colstrip transmission facilities, which stretch from eastern Montana to near the western end of that state to serve markets in the Pacific Northwest and neighboring states. PGE has an approximate 15% ownership interest in, and capacity on, the Colstrip transmission facilities. See “Investing in a Clean Energy Future” in this Overview for information regarding development in eastern Montana.
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Other provisions of SB 1547:
•establish RPS thresholds of 27% by 2025, 35% by 2030, 45% by 2035, and 50% by 2040, for the percentage of electricity that must come from renewable sources;
•limit the life of RECs generated from facilities that become operational after 2022 to five years, but continue unlimited lifespan for all existing RECs and allow for the generation of additional unlimited RECs for a period of five years for projects online before December 31, 2022; and
•provide opportunity to pursue recovery of energy storage costs related to renewable energy in the Company’s RAC filings.
PGE believes it is on track to meet the 2025 RPS threshold. For a more comprehensive review of Environmental Matters, see “Environmental Matters” in Item 1.—Business.
EPA Regulations for Electric Generating Facilities—On April 25, 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released final regulations pertaining to electric generation facilities. The regulations include:
•GHG regulations for new natural gas-based turbines and existing coal-based units, pursuant to section 111 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The rule finalizes: i) guidelines for GHG emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired steam generating electric units; and ii) revisions to existing performance standards for new, reconstructed, or heavily modified fossil fuel-fired stationary combustion turbine electric generating units.
•Supplemental Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category (the ELG Rule), which applies to wastewater discharges from coal-based generating units and establishes pollution control requirements, building upon the 2015 and 2020 ELG Rules. The rule includes a subcategory of requirements for coal plants that will be retired or repowered by the end of 2028 and provides additional compliance pathways for coal plants that retire by the end of 2034.
•Updated Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, pursuant to section 112 of the CAA, which sets emissions limits for filterable particulate matter for coal-based generating units. The rule reduces those limits from the standards that were originally set in 2012.
PGE continues to evaluate each of these rules to assess the impact it may have on the Company’s continuing investment in Colstrip, which could be material. PGE notes that a substantial number of legal challenges have been filed regarding these rules. These challenges, or attempts by the federal government to withdraw or modify the regulations, if successful, could affect the applicability to PGE and Colstrip, specifically. To the extent these regulations result in increased compliance costs, the Company expects to seek recovery of those costs through the ratemaking process.
In addition, the regulations included Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) from Electric Utilities – Legacy CCR Surface Impoundments. This rule builds on 2015 regulations, which apply to active power plants that dispose of coal combustion residuals in surface impoundments or landfills, by regulating inactive surface impoundments at inactive power plants, and CCR management units at active and inactive power plants. PGE has assessed the potential impact of the CCR regulation changes and believes it will not have a material impact on the Company’s current Asset Retirement Obligations.
Regulatory Matters
PGE focuses on providing reliable, clean power to customers at affordable prices while providing a fair return to investors. To achieve this goal the Company must execute effectively within its regulatory framework and maintain prudent management of key financial, regulatory, and environmental matters that may affect customer prices and investor returns. The following discussion provides detail on such matters.
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General Rate Case—On December 20, 2024, the OPUC issued a Final order (Order 24-454) in the 2025 GRC requested by PGE on February 29, 2024 that calls for the following:
•capital structure of 50% debt and 50% equity;
•ROE of 9.34%;
•cost of capital of 6.991%; and
•rate base of $6.8 billion.
The Final order results in an annual revenue requirement increase of $100 million, as required by the OPUC. The changes in revenue requirement from PGE’s originally filed 2025 GRC to the Final order consist of the following (in millions):
| As filed (1) | $ | 208 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjustments from initial filing through Closing briefs (2) | (26) | |||
| As filed at Closing briefs | 182 | |||
| Adjustments from Closing briefs to Final order: | ||||
| Operating and maintenance (O&M) reductions (3) | (59) | |||
| ROE (4) | (8) | |||
| Capital-related reductions (5) | (15) | |||
| Clearwater (6) | 6 | |||
| Other (7) | (6) | |||
| Subtotal | (82) | |||
| Final order | $ | 100 |
(1) Excluding $17 million related to NVPC and other Supplemental filings.
(2) Consists of adjustments related to load, capital forecast updates, ROE adjustments, and other revenue requirement items updated during the rate review process.
(3) Reduction relates primarily to: i) the Final order’s method of applying inflation rates to 2023 actual balances for general wages and salaries and Generation O&M, and ii) amounts related to incentives and stock compensation.
(4) The OPUC’s Final order authorized an ROE of 9.34%. At the time of Closing briefs, PGE’s adjusted requested ROE was 9.5%, which was also PGE’s previously approved ROE.
(5) The Final order and related revenue requirement reflects the following items: i) an adjustment for actual plant placed in-service compared to amounts forecasted in Closing briefs with cost recovery expected to be pursued in future regulatory proceedings and, ii) other immaterial items removed from rate base.
(6) Per the OPUC's Final order, Clearwater is to be excluded from this rate case as prudency is being determined in a separate proceeding, OPUC Docket UE 427. The target rate effective date for Clearwater in UE 427 has been delayed to March 1, 2025. This adjustment reflects the removal of the revenue requirement of Clearwater from rate base, net of NVPC benefits. Under the RAC, PGE will continue to defer the revenue requirement, net of NVPC benefits, from the in-service date of January 2024 until Clearwater is reflected in customer prices.
(7) Primarily comprised of reductions of certain working capital and inventory items and other revenue credit items.
Other key items in the 2025 GRC Final order include:
•Invitation for PGE to file for a balanced cost-recovery tracker mechanism to incorporate the approximately $375 million Seaside Grid BESS system into rates under an expedited regulatory review; and
•Acceptance of PGE's rate base methodology in this GRC, which, after adjustments, resulted in $6.8 billion and included the following key elements:
◦A reduction of $402 million related to Clearwater to reflect the delay of the target rate effective date to March 1, 2025 and allow for further regulatory review;
◦A reduction of $112 million to reflect the planned sale of PTCs and inclusion of ITCs as a reduction of rate base and expected to be amortized as a refund to customers over the life of the related battery assets;
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◦A reduction of $69 million primarily related to actual plant placed in-service compared to amounts forecasted in Closing briefs and cost recovery expected to be pursued in future regulatory proceedings; and
◦A reduction of $61 million for amounts removed from rate base related to working capital, materials and supplies, and fuel.
All items included within NVPC have been resolved in OPUC Docket UE 436 and reflect the treatment of Clearwater in the GRC Final order. New customer prices, as approved by the OPUC, became effective January 1, 2025.
More information about the 2025 GRC (OPUC Docket UE 435) and NVPC (OPUC Docket UE 436) is available on the OPUC website at www.oregon.gov/puc.
Declared states of emergency—The OPUC has approved a pre-authorized deferral of costs associated with qualifying declared states of emergency, which would include federal or state declared emergencies with impacts on PGE’s service territory. Under this mechanism, PGE could provide notice of an event that qualifies within 30 days of the declared state of emergency and would not need to seek OPUC approval to apply deferred accounting treatment for incremental costs related to the emergency, subject to an earnings test. The OPUC maintains responsibility to review utility requests to amortize deferred amounts in customer prices, including a review of utility prudence in a future proceeding, among other requirements.
Beginning January 13, 2024, the Company’s service territory encountered a severe winter weather event that included snow, ice, and high winds over several days that caused catastrophic damage to physical assets and resulted in widespread customer power outages. Along with over a dozen mutual assistance crews, PGE repaired damage and restored power to over 500,000 customers throughout the storm and the days that followed. As a result of the historic winter storm, Oregon’s Governor declared a state of emergency on January 18, 2024, which allows PGE to seek recovery of incremental storm expenses through the previously filed emergency deferral. On February 9, 2024, PGE filed a Notice of Deferral with the OPUC under Docket UM 2190 for emergency restoration costs related to the January storm. As of December 31, 2024, PGE had deferred $46 million, including interest, as a regulatory asset for costs associated with repairing damage to transmission and distribution systems and restoring power to customers.
As of September 30, 2024, PGE's forecasted preliminary regulated return on equity for the full-year 2024 exceeded the OPUC's authorized rate of return. Consequently, under the earnings test the Company's third quarter results included a $17 million decrease to the deferral and a corresponding charge to earnings. However, as of December 31, 2024, PGE's preliminary return on equity, based on actual results, did not exceed the OPUC's authorized rate of return. As a result, the $17 million reduction recorded in the third quarter has been reversed as of December 31, 2024.
PGE believes that the full amount of the deferral is probable of recovery and plans to file with the OPUC in mid-2025, seeking recovery to begin during 2026. The OPUC has significant discretion in making the final determination of recovery based on its determination of prudency and interpretation of the earnings test application, either of which could result in all or a portion of the deferral being disallowed. Any disallowance would be a charge to earnings, which could be material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. For further information, see “January 2024 storm and damage” in Note 7, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
RCE—Under the RCE mechanism, PGE is allowed to pursue recovery of 80% of costs for RCEs above amounts forecasted in the Company’s AUT, without application of an earnings test, with the remaining 20% flowing through operating expenses and subject to the existing PCAM. As of December 31, 2024, PGE’s deferred balance related to RCEs was $90 million, which includes costs from multiple qualified RCEs during the year, the most significant of which was related to the January storm event. PGE files the results of the PCAM annually with the OPUC no later than July 1, initiating a regulatory review process that typically results in a final determination and order from the
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OPUC by the end of the year of filing, with any resulting refund or collection impacting customer prices effective January 1 of the following year. RCE costs incurred in 2024 will be included in the PCAM for 2024, which the Company expects to file no later than July 1, 2025. PGE believes the deferred amounts as of December 31, 2024 are probable of recovery. The OPUC has significant discretion in making the final determination of recovery. The OPUC’s conclusion of overall prudence could result in a portion, or all, of PGE’s deferrals being disallowed for recovery. Such disallowance would be recognized as a charge to earnings.
Power costs—Pursuant to the AUT process, PGE annually files an estimate of power costs for the following year. As approved by the OPUC, the 2024 AUT included a final increase in power costs for 2024, and a corresponding increase in annual revenue requirement of $216 million from 2023 levels, which were reflected in customer prices effective January 1, 2024. The 2025 AUT contains a $72 million increase in NVPC and has been included in customer prices beginning January 1, 2025. For more information regarding the PCAM, see “Power operations” within this Overview section of Item 7.
Portland Harbor Environmental Remediation Account (PHERA) mechanism—The EPA has listed PGE as one of over one hundred Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) related to the remediation of the Portland Harbor Superfund site. As of December 31, 2024, significant uncertainties still remained concerning the precise requirements for clean-up, the assignment of responsibility for clean-up costs, the final selection of a proposed remedy by the EPA, and the method of allocation of costs amongst PRPs. It is probable that PGE will share in a portion of these costs. In a Record of Decision (ROD) issued in 2017, the EPA outlined its selected remediation plan for clean-up of the Portland Harbor site, which had an estimated total cost of $1.7 billion. Stakeholders have raised concerns that EPA’s cost estimates are understated, and PGE estimates undiscounted total remediation costs for Portland Harbor per the ROD could range from $1.9 billion to $3.5 billion. The Company does not currently have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the amount, or range, of its potential costs for investigation or remediation of Portland Harbor. However, the Company may obtain sufficient information, prior to the final determination of allocation percentages among PRPs, to develop a reasonable estimate, or range, of its potential liability that would require recording an estimate, or low end of the range. The Company’s liability related to the cost of remediating Portland Harbor could be material to PGE’s financial position. The impact of such costs to the Company’s results of operations is mitigated by the PHERA mechanism. As approved by the OPUC, the recovery mechanism allows the Company to defer and recover estimated liabilities and incurred legal and technical analysis expenditures related to the Portland Harbor Superfund Site through a combination of third-party proceeds, including, but not limited to, insurance recoveries, and customer prices, as necessary. The mechanism established annual prudency reviews of environmental expenditures and third-party proceeds, and annual expenditures in excess of $6 million, excluding contingent liabilities, are subject to an annual earnings test. PGE’s results of operations may be impacted to the extent such expenditures were to be deemed imprudent by the OPUC or disallowed per the prescribed earnings test. For further information regarding the PHERA mechanism, see “EPA Investigation of Portland Harbor” in Note 19, Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Decoupling—The decoupling mechanism, previously authorized by the OPUC through 2022, was intended to provide for recovery of margin lost as a result of a reduction in electricity sales attributable to energy efficiency, customer-owned generation, and conservation efforts by residential and certain commercial customers. The mechanism provided for collection from (or refund to) customers if weather-adjusted use per customer was less (or more) than that projected in the Company’s most recent GRC.
In the 2022 GRC, parties reached an agreement that eliminated PGE’s decoupling mechanism upon the effective date of new customer prices that resulted in May 2022. Pursuant to the 2022 GRC Order, the OPUC adopted the agreement such that deferrals would not occur after 2022, although amortization of then previously recorded deferrals was to continue as scheduled until collected or refunded in future customer prices. For the year ended December 31, 2022, with OPUC approval, PGE collected $5 million in customer prices over a one-year period that began January 1, 2024.
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In the 2024 GRC filing, the Company included a concept proposal that would have led to resuming decoupling, with certain modifications. PGE then made a tariff filing that proposed weather-normalized decoupling, although at a public meeting in June 2024, the OPUC permanently suspended PGE’s proposed tariff, effectively denying the proposal.
Renewable recovery framework—As previously authorized by the OPUC, the RAC is a primary method available to recover costs associated with renewable resources and the inclusion of prudent costs of energy storage projects associated with renewables, under certain conditions. The RAC allows PGE to recover prudently incurred costs of renewable resources through filings made each year, outside of a GRC. During 2024, the Company did not submit a request for recovery of any renewable resources under the RAC. In 2023, the Company filed for Clearwater, which went into service January 5, 2024. Per the OPUC's Final order in the 2025 GRC, Clearwater was excluded from the rate case as prudency is being determined in a separate proceeding, OPUC Docket UE 427. The target rate effective date for price changes for Clearwater in UE 427 is March 1, 2025. Under the RAC, PGE will continue to defer the revenue requirement, net of NVPC benefits, from the in-service date in January 2024 until Clearwater is reflected in customer prices. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has recorded a $40 million regulatory liability, which represents the deferred revenue requirement that PGE believes is probable of recovery, net of NVPC that is probable of refund to customers under the RAC. For further information, see “Alternative Revenue Programs” in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and “Clearwater RAC” in Note 7, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
New Large Load—In October 2023, in Docket UE 416, the OPUC directed a docket be opened to investigate new load connection costs and in December 2023, the OPUC established Docket UE 430 for that purpose. Following a lengthy regulatory process, on December 20, 2024, PGE filed Advice No. 24-38 with the OPUC. This filing introduces several proposed changes to PGE policies and tariffs that, if approved, would: i) reasonably protect other customers from the cost to connect new large load customers; ii) improve transmission system planning and capacity by managing capacity requests over one MW; iii) provide fair recovery of distribution investment costs from large load users; and iv) implement contractual requirements designed to appropriately allocate and recover distribution and transmission costs and mitigate the risk of stranded assets, while providing flexibility to meet large customer needs.
Operating Activities
In addition to providing electricity from PGE’s own generation portfolio, to meet retail load requirements and balance energy supply with customer demand, manage risk, and administer its long-term wholesale contracts, the Company purchases and sells electricity in the wholesale market. To fuel its generation portfolio, PGE purchases natural gas in the United States and Canada and sells excess gas back into the wholesale market. The Company also performs portfolio management and wholesale market sales services for third parties in the region and purchases and sells environmental credits in the wholesale marketplace.
PGE participates in the western EIM, which allows, among other things, more renewable energy integration into the grid by better complementing the variable output of renewable resources. The Company recently signed the implementation agreement to join the EDAM, to build on the success of the western EIM and help provide PGE and its customers access to more affordable, reliable and clean energy. Utilities that participate in the EDAM, expected to begin operating in 2026, will bid their anticipated energy demand and generating resources into the market a day ahead of expected usage. The EDAM will then optimize generation resources and the energy needed for all market participants, allowing them to receive the least costly and cleanest energy to meet their energy needs. The EDAM is expected to build upon existing technology and systems the Company has deployed and leverage PGE’s transmission system to connect regional resources, such as hydropower and wind facilities in the Pacific Northwest and solar facilities in California and the desert southwest, across a common market.
In its ongoing effort to benefit retail and wholesale customers, in 2023, PGE joined the Western Power Pool’s resource adequacy program known as the Western Resource Adequacy Program (WRAP), which has announced that it is on a path to begin binding operation in 2027. The WRAP represents a regional framework to more
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effectively address resource adequacy, enhance reliability, integrate clean energy, and manage costs through resource diversification and capacity sharing across a wide geographic footprint and broad pool of participants across the west.
PGE generates revenues and cash flows primarily from the sale and distribution of electricity to its retail customers. The impact of seasonal weather conditions on demand for electricity can cause the Company’s revenues, cash flows, and income from operations to fluctuate from period to period. Summer peak deliveries have continued to exceed those of the winter months for nearly ten years, generally resulting from growing air conditioning demand and the trend toward a warmer overall climate. In August 2023, demand reached a new all-time high, surpassing the previous mark, which was set in summer 2021. Historically, PGE had experienced its highest average megawatt deliveries and retail energy sales during the winter heating season and recorded its current winter peak load in December 2022. For further information regarding seasonal fluctuations, see “Seasonality” in the Customers and Revenues section in Item 1.—“Business.” Retail customer price changes and customer usage patterns, which can be affected by the economy, also have an effect on revenues. Wholesale power availability and price, hydro and wind generation, and fuel costs for thermal plants can also affect income from operations. PGE has taken measures to enhance the availability of supply chain-constrained items that are needed to serve new and existing customers, such as securing inventory of critical materials to improve reliability, reserving manufacturing capacity with strategic partners, and evaluating availability with established and new suppliers. PGE’s materials and supplies forecasting process is designed to secure materials availability as well as help mitigate cost increases through long-term agreements, supplier engagement, and expanding the supply base.
Customers and demand—The following tables present total energy deliveries and the average number of retail customers by type for 2024 and 2023.
| Energy deliveries (MWh in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | % Increase/ (Decrease) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail: | ||||||||||||
| Residential | 7,732 | 7,952 | (2.8) | % | ||||||||
| Commercial (PGE sales only) | 6,509 | 6,601 | (1.4) | |||||||||
| Direct Access | 515 | 577 | (10.7) | |||||||||
| Total Commercial | 7,024 | 7,178 | (2.1) | |||||||||
| Industrial (PGE sales only) | 5,032 | 4,578 | 9.9 | |||||||||
| Direct Access | 1,909 | 1,715 | 11.3 | |||||||||
| Total Industrial | 6,941 | 6,293 | 10.3 | |||||||||
| Total (PGE sales only) | 19,273 | 19,131 | 0.7 | |||||||||
| Total Direct Access | 2,424 | 2,292 | 5.8 | |||||||||
| Total retail energy deliveries | 21,697 | 21,423 | 1.3 | |||||||||
| Wholesale energy deliveries | 9,722 | 6,950 | 39.9 | |||||||||
| Total energy deliveries | 31,419 | 28,373 | 10.7 |
| Average number of retail customers | 2024 | 2023 | % Increase/ (Decrease) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 829,721 | 88 | % | 815,920 | 88 | % | 1.7 | % | |||||||
| Commercial | 113,518 | 12 | 112,204 | 12 | 1.2 | ||||||||||
| Industrial | 208 | — | 196 | — | 6.1 | ||||||||||
| Direct access | 497 | — | 540 | — | (8.0) | ||||||||||
| Total | 943,944 | 100 | % | 928,860 | 100 | % | 1.6 |
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In 2024, retail energy deliveries increased 1.3% from 2023, with increases in demand from industrial customers outweighing the decreases seen in the residential and commercial classes. The industrial class has experienced an increase in energy deliveries, due primarily to continued growth in the high-tech and digital services sectors. Compared to the prior year, weather had a negative impact on deliveries. The first quarter of 2023 was unseasonably cold, whereas the same period of 2024 was mild, as was the fourth quarter of 2024. Normally, the first and fourth quarters have the highest demand for heating.
Residential energy deliveries, which are most sensitive to fluctuations in temperatures, were 2.8% lower in 2024 than 2023, due to a 4.4% decrease in average usage per customer, which resulted largely from mild temperatures, and was partially offset by a 1.7% increase in the average number of customers. PGE has seen the number of rooftop solar installations increase in its service territory over the past few years, which continues to reduce the average usage per customer.
Commercial energy deliveries decreased 2.1% from the prior year due in large part to the mild temperatures in 2024. While COVID-19 related recovery has largely occurred, continued impacts of programmatic energy efficiency and uncertainty in economic conditions have tempered commercial growth in 2024.
Industrial energy deliveries increased 10.3% in 2024 due to continued strength in the high-tech manufacturing and digital service sector. Several large customers experienced continued growth in 2024 and new data center facilities came online.
Total heating degree-days, an indication of electricity use for heating, declined 5% in 2024 from 2023 in total, and was 9% below the 15-year moving average. In 2024, heating degree-days were lower in each quarter of the year, except for the fourth quarter, which was only slightly higher. The fourth quarter, which is normally a high heating demand period, in 2023, was among the warmest ever recorded. Correspondingly, cooling degree-days, a similar indication of the extent to which customers were likely to have used electricity for cooling, exceeded the 15-year average by 20%, although were 16% below the 2023 total, which was 43% above average, illustrating that the two most recent summer seasons have been exceedingly warm compared to historical averages.
The following table presents the number of heating and cooling degree-days in 2024 and 2023, along with the current 15-year averages, reflecting the influence that weather had on comparative energy deliveries.
| Heating Degree-Days | Cooling Degree-Days | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 15-Year Average | 2024 | 2023 | 15-Year Average | |||||||||||
| 1st quarter | 1,755 | 1,927 | 1,838 | — | — | — | ||||||||||
| 2nd quarter | 547 | 554 | 608 | 108 | 195 | 108 | ||||||||||
| 3rd quarter | 36 | 45 | 62 | 643 | 687 | 514 | ||||||||||
| 4th quarter | 1,324 | 1,319 | 1,529 | — | 16 | 6 | ||||||||||
| Total | 3,662 | 3,845 | 4,037 | 751 | 898 | 628 | ||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) from the 15-year average | (9) | % | (5) | % | 20 | % | 43 | % |
On a weather-adjusted basis, total retail deliveries increased 3.1% from 2023. The increase was driven by a 10.7% growth in industrial deliveries, and a 0.5% increase in weather-adjusted deliveries to residential customers, as average use per customer has declined from the highs seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by a 0.9% decline in commercial energy deliveries. The Company projects that retail energy deliveries for 2025 will be between 2.5% and 3.5% above 2024 weather-adjusted levels, reflecting continued growth in industrial deliveries.
ESSs supplied Direct Access customers with energy representing 11% of PGE’s total retail energy deliveries during 2024 and 2023. The maximum retail load allowed to be supplied under the fixed three-year and minimum five-year opt-out programs represent 12% of the Company’s total retail energy deliveries for 2024. With the adoption of the
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New Large Load Direct Access program in 2020, as much as 17% of the Company’s 2024 energy deliveries could have been supplied by ESSs.
Power operations—PGE utilizes a combination of its own generating and energy storage resources and wholesale market transactions to meet the energy needs of, and obtain reasonably-priced power for, its retail customers, manage risk, and administer its long-term wholesale contracts. Based on numerous factors, including plant availability, customer demand, river flows, wind conditions, and current wholesale prices, the Company continuously makes economic dispatch decisions in an effort to obtain reasonably-priced power for its retail customers. PGE also purchases wholesale natural gas in the United States and Canada to fuel its generating portfolio and sells excess gas back into the wholesale market. As a result, the amount of power generated and purchased in the wholesale market to meet the Company’s retail load requirement can vary from period to period and impacts NVPC and income from operations.
The following table provides information regarding the performance of the Company’s generation portfolio.
| Plant availability (1) | Actual energy provided compared to projected levels (2) | Actual energy provided as a percentage of total retail load | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Thermal: | |||||||||||||||
| Natural gas | 82 | % | 85 | % | 98 | % | 99 | % | 36 | % | 40 | % | |||
| Coal (3) | 78 | 90 | 93 | 99 | 6 | 8 | |||||||||
| Wind (4) | 92 | 98 | 101 | 88 | 10 | 7 | |||||||||
| Hydro | 93 | 89 | 96 | 79 | 4 | 4 |
(1)Plant availability represents the percentage of the year plants were available for operations, which is impacted by planned maintenance and forced, or unplanned, outages.
(2)Projected levels of energy are included as part of PGE’s AUT. Such projections establish the power cost component of retail prices for the following calendar year. Any shortfall is generally replaced with power from higher cost sources, while any excess generally displaces power from higher cost sources.
(3)Plant availability reflects Colstrip, which PGE does not operate.
(4)Plant availability includes Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility and Clearwater, which PGE does not operate.
Energy received from PGE-owned and jointly-owned thermal plants in 2024 compared to 2023 decreased by 3%. This decrease is primarily driven by economic dispatch decisions. Energy expected to be received from thermal resources is projected annually in the AUT based on forecast market prices, variable costs to run the plant, and the constraints of the plant. PGE’s thermal generating plants require varying levels of annual maintenance, which is generally performed during the second quarter of the year.
Total energy received from all hydroelectric sources, both PGE-owned generation and purchased, increased 39% in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to the addition of capacity under two purchased hydro contracts in 2024. Energy purchased from mid-Columbia and other regional hydroelectric projects increased 45% while energy generated by the Company-owned facilities increased 11% in 2024. Energy expected to be received from hydroelectric resources in 2024 was projected in the AUT based on a modified hydro study, which utilizes 80 years of historical stream flow data. For further detail on regional hydro results, see “Purchased power and fuel” in the Results of Operations section in this Item 7.
Energy received from PGE-owned wind resources and under contracts increased 56% in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to the addition of Clearwater in 2024. Energy expected to be received from wind generating resources is projected annually in the AUT based on historical generation. Wind generation forecasts are developed using a 5-year rolling average of historical wind levels or forecast studies when historical data is not available.
Under the PCAM, PGE may share with customers a portion of cost variances associated with NVPC. Customer prices can be adjusted annually to absorb a portion of the difference between the forecasted NVPC included in customer prices (baseline NVPC, which is reset annually by means of the AUT filings) and actual NVPC for the
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year, if such differences exceed a prescribed “deadband” limit, which ranges from $15 million below to $30 million above baseline NVPC. To the extent actual NVPC, subject to certain adjustments, is outside the deadband range, the PCAM provides for 90% of the excess variance to be collected from, or refunded to, customers. Pursuant to a regulated earnings test, a refund will occur only to the extent that it results in PGE’s actual regulated return on equity (ROE) for the given year being no less than 1% above the Company’s latest authorized ROE, while a collection will occur only to the extent that it results in PGE’s actual regulated ROE for that year being no greater than 1% below the Company’s authorized ROE. The following is a summary of the results of the Company’s PCAM as calculated for regulatory purposes for 2024 and 2023:
•For 2024, actual NVPC was below baseline NVPC by $78 million, which was outside the established deadband range. Pursuant to the PCAM and related earnings test, because PGE’s preliminary regulatory ROE was below 10.5%, there is no estimated refund to customers under the PCAM for 2024. A final determination regarding the 2024 PCAM results will be made by the OPUC through a public filing and review in 2025.
•For 2023, actual NVPC was above baseline NVPC by $5 million, which was within the established deadband range. Accordingly, no estimated collection from customers was recorded as of December 31, 2023.
As approved by the OPUC in PGE’s 2024 GRC, the RCE mechanism allows PGE to pursue recovery of 80% of costs for RCEs above amounts forecasted in the Company’s AUT, with the remaining 20% flowing through operating expenses and subject to the existing PCAM. For more on the 2024 RCE, see Note 7, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
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Results of Operations
The following tables provide financial and operational information to be considered in conjunction with management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations.
The results of operations are as follows for the years presented (dollars in millions):
| Years Ended December 31, | % Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Amount | Amount | |||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 3,440 | $ | 2,923 | 18 | % | ||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||
| Purchased power and fuel | 1,418 | 1,190 | 19 | |||||||
| Generation, transmission and distribution | 436 | 374 | 17 | |||||||
| Administrative and other | 403 | 341 | 18 | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 496 | 458 | 8 | |||||||
| Taxes other than income taxes | 175 | 164 | 7 | |||||||
| Total operating expenses | 2,928 | 2,527 | 16 | |||||||
| Income from operations | 512 | 396 | 29 | |||||||
| Interest expense, net * | 211 | 173 | 22 | |||||||
| Other income: | ||||||||||
| Allowance for equity funds used during construction | 23 | 19 | 21 | |||||||
| Miscellaneous income, net | 26 | 31 | (16) | |||||||
| Other income, net | 49 | 50 | (2) | |||||||
| Income before income taxes | 350 | 273 | 28 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 37 | 45 | (18) | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 313 | $ | 228 | 37 | % |
* Includes an allowance for borrowed funds used during construction of $15 million in 2024 and $13 million in 2023.
2024 Compared to 2023
Net income for 2024 increased $85 million from 2023, as higher Purchased power and fuel costs were more than offset by increases in Retail revenues authorized by the OPUC in the AUT in anticipation of higher NVPC. In 2023, the opposite was true as higher Purchased power and fuel expenses exceeded the corresponding increases in prices resulting from the AUT. Retail revenues also increased due to an overall increase in deliveries, although that demand impact was somewhat offset by the lower average price result of the relative mix of deliveries among customer classes. Temperature variations in 2024 had a lesser impact on demand than what was experienced in 2023, although total system load increased 12% year over year, as the industrial class continued to show strength, and wholesale sales continue to increase. The Company saw a 13% increase in the average variable power cost per MWh driven primarily by higher physical power and natural gas prices due in part to severe weather events in the first quarter of 2024. Wholesale revenues increased during 2024, driven by a 40% increase in deliveries, which contributed to reducing NVPC. Generation, transmission and distribution expenses were up primarily due to vegetation management and major maintenance activities. The increase in Administrative and general expense reflects increases in various categories including compensation and benefits, customer related items, and regulatory and professional services expense. Increases in Depreciation and amortization expense, driven by higher depreciable asset balances, and Interest expense, net, due to higher long-term debt balances, were anticipated and largely offset in net income by increased revenues.
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Total revenues consist of the following for the years presented (in millions):
| 2024 | 2023 | % Increase (Decrease) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail: | ||||||||||
| Residential | $ | 1,457 | $ | 1,263 | 15 | % | ||||
| Commercial | 914 | 800 | 14 | |||||||
| Industrial | 435 | 349 | 25 | |||||||
| Subtotal | 2,806 | 2,412 | 16 | |||||||
| Direct Access: | ||||||||||
| Commercial | 10 | 8 | 25 | |||||||
| Industrial | 23 | 19 | 21 | |||||||
| Subtotal | 33 | 27 | 22 | |||||||
| Subtotal Retail | 2,839 | 2,439 | 16 | |||||||
| Alternative revenue programs, net of amortization | (40) | 11 | (464) | |||||||
| Other accrued (deferred) revenues, net | 16 | (3) | (633) | |||||||
| Total retail revenues | 2,815 | 2,447 | 15 | |||||||
| Wholesale revenues | 558 | 418 | 33 | |||||||
| Other operating revenues | 67 | 58 | 16 | |||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 3,440 | $ | 2,923 | 18 | % |
Total retail revenues—The following items contributed to the increase in Total retail revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | $ | 2,447 |
|---|---|---|
| Change in prices as a result of the AUT, approved by the OPUC (partially offset in Purchased power and fuel) | 226 | |
| Average price of energy deliveries due primarily to customer price increases | 146 | |
| Retail energy deliveries driven by changes in customer load | 20 | |
| Boardman settlement refund, net of amortization | 8 | |
| Recovery of deferrals for 2020 Wildfire, 2021 ice storm, (offset in Generation, Transmission and Distribution expense) and COVID-19 (offset in Retail revenues) | 5 | |
| Clearwater RAC deferral (largely offset in Purchased power, Depreciation and amortization, and Income tax expense) | (39) | |
| Combination of various supplemental tariffs and adjustments | 2 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | 2,815 | |
| Change in Total retail revenues | $ | 368 |
Wholesale revenues result primarily from sales of electricity and environmental credits to utilities and power marketers made in the Company’s efforts to meet the needs of, and secure reasonably priced power for, its retail customers, manage risk, and administer its current long-term wholesale contracts. Such sales can vary significantly from year to year as a result of economic conditions, power and fuel prices, hydro and wind availability, and customer demand.
In 2024, a $140 million, or 33%, increase from 2023 in wholesale revenues occurred as sales volumes increased 40%, which resulted in a $166 million increase, and the Company sold $26 million more environmental credits in 2024 than in the prior year. Partly offsetting the increase was a 27% decrease in average prices received when the Company sold power into the wholesale market. Elevated sales prices existed during 2023 and resulted from several factors, including reduced hydro generation in the region, the economic recovery, strong demand, and ongoing
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capacity limitations in the region. In 2024, milder weather and lower natural gas prices contributed to bring average sales prices down from the levels seen in 2023.
Other operating revenues increased $9 million, or 16%, in 2024 from 2023, primarily as a result of the amortization of deferrals related to the transmission rate case that are offset in Retail revenues.
Purchased power and fuel expense includes the cost of power purchased and fuel used to generate electricity to meet PGE’s retail load requirements, as well as the cost of settled electric and natural gas financial contracts.
The following items contributed to the change in Purchased power and fuel for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 (dollars in millions, except for average variable power cost per MWh):
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | $ | 1,190 |
|---|---|---|
| Average variable power cost per MWh | 121 | |
| Total system load | 194 | |
| 2024 RCE deferral | (87) | |
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | 1,418 | |
| Change in Purchased power and fuel | $ | 228 |
| Average variable power cost per MWh: | ||
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | $ | 43.26 |
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | $ | 49.08 |
| Total system load (MWh in thousands): | ||
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | 27,169 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | 30,348 |
For the year ended December 31, 2024, the $121 million increase related to the change in average variable power cost per MWh was primarily driven by a 7% increase in the average cost for purchased power due largely to fixed capacity fees for hydro contracts in 2024, and a 12% increase in the average cost for the Company’s own generation, driven mainly by price risk management activity. The $194 million increase related to total system load was primarily due to the change in mix of sources of energy with purchased power increasing 22% resulting in a $176 million increase, and a 5% increase in energy obtained from PGE’s own generation resulting in a $18 million increase.
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PGE’s sources of energy, total system load, and retail load requirement for the years presented are as follows:
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Sources of energy (MWh in thousands): | |||||||||||
| Generation: | |||||||||||
| Thermal: | |||||||||||
| Natural gas | 10,939 | 36 | % | 10,981 | 40 | % | |||||
| Coal | 1,910 | 6 | 2,214 | 8 | |||||||
| Total thermal | 12,849 | 42 | 13,195 | 48 | |||||||
| Hydro | 1,267 | 4 | 1,144 | 4 | |||||||
| Wind | 2,922 | 10 | 1,918 | 7 | |||||||
| Total generation | 17,038 | 56 | 16,257 | 59 | |||||||
| Purchased power: | |||||||||||
| Hydro | 6,752 | 22 | 4,646 | 17 | |||||||
| Wind | 1,386 | 5 | 846 | 3 | |||||||
| Solar | 1,119 | 4 | 1,055 | 4 | |||||||
| Natural Gas | 94 | — | 184 | 1 | |||||||
| Waste, Wood and Landfill Gas | 170 | 1 | 163 | 1 | |||||||
| Source not specified | 3,789 | 12 | 4,018 | 15 | |||||||
| Total purchased power | 13,310 | 44 | 10,912 | 41 | |||||||
| Total system load | 30,348 | 100 | % | 27,169 | 100 | % | |||||
| Less: wholesale sales | (9,722) | (6,950) | |||||||||
| Retail load requirement | 20,626 | 20,219 |
Purchased power in the table above includes power received from QFs as follows:
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| Sources of energy (MWhs in thousands): | ||||
| PURPA purchased power: | ||||
| Hydro | 31 | 28 | ||
| Wind | 29 | 25 | ||
| Solar | 580 | 592 | ||
| Waste, Wood, Landfill Gas, and Other | 117 | 114 | ||
| Total | 757 | 759 |
The following table presents the forecasted April-to-September 2025 and actual April-to-September 2024 and 2023 runoff at particular points of major rivers relevant to PGE’s hydro resources:
| Runoff as a Percent of Normal* | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | 2025 Forecast | 2024 Actual | 2023Actual | |||||
| Columbia River at The Dalles, Oregon | 85 | % | 74 | % | 83 | % | ||
| Mid-Columbia River at Grand Coulee, Washington | 80 | 74 | 79 | |||||
| Clackamas River at Estacada, Oregon | 87 | 91 | 101 | |||||
| Deschutes River at Moody, Oregon | 98 | 93 | 98 |
* Volumetric water supply forecasts and historical averages for the Pacific Northwest region are prepared by the Northwest River Forecast Center, with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and other cooperating agencies.
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Actual NVPC, which consists of Purchased power and fuel expense net of Wholesale revenues, increased $87 million in 2024 compared with 2023. The increase attributable to changes in Purchased power and fuel expense was the result of a 13% increase in the average variable power cost per MWh and a 12% increase in total system load. This was partially offset by an increase in wholesale revenues driven by a 40% increase in the volume of wholesale energy deliveries and a 5% lower average price per MWh sold.
The following items contributed to the increase in actual NVPC for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | $ | 773 |
|---|---|---|
| Purchased power and fuel expense | 314 | |
| Wholesale revenues | (140) | |
| 2024 RCE deferral | (87) | |
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | 860 | |
| Change in NVPC | $ | 87 |
For further information regarding NVPC in relation to the PCAM, see “Power operations” in the Overview section of this Item 7.
Generation, transmission and distribution expense increased $62 million or 17% for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, with the change attributed largely to the following items (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | $ | 374 |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetation management, inspection, wildfire mitigation, and distribution maintenance expenses | 33 | |
| Generation facility maintenance expenses driven by major maintenance activities and increased run hours | 31 | |
| Service restoration and storm response costs | (5) | |
| Miscellaneous expenses | 3 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | 436 | |
| Change in Generation, transmission and distribution | $ | 62 |
In the table above, $24 million related to vegetation management, $5 million related to wildfire mitigation, and $4 million related to major maintenance have been offset through customer prices or specific regulatory mechanisms.
Administrative and other expense increased $62 million, 18%, for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 due largely to the following items (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | $ | 341 |
|---|---|---|
| Employee compensation including stock compensation and benefits expenses | 23 | |
| Regulatory and Professional service costs | 13 | |
| Customer related costs and bad debt expense | 11 | |
| Workers’ compensation and general liability insurance | 7 | |
| Amortization of COVID-19 bad debt expense deferral | 4 | |
| Miscellaneous expenses | 4 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | 403 | |
| Change in Administrative and other | $ | 62 |
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In addition to the $4 million related to amortization of COVID-19 bad debt expense deferral, another $2 million increase is due to other regulatory-related programs that have been offset through customer prices or specific regulatory mechanisms.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $38 million or 8% for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to year ended December 31, 2023, with the change largely resulting from the following items (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | $ | 458 |
|---|---|---|
| Capital additions | 43 | |
| Activity related to regulatory programs (offset elsewhere on the income statement) | (5) | |
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | 496 | |
| Change in Depreciation and amortization | $ | 38 |
Taxes other than income taxes expense increased $11 million, or 7%, in 2024 compared with 2023, primarily due to higher franchise fees and property tax expenses.
Interest expense increased $38 million, or 22%, in 2024 compared with 2023 driven by higher average balances of outstanding debt.
Other income, net decreased $1 million, or 2%, in 2024 compared to 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to $2 million in lower regulatory interest income and $2 million in lower pension non-service costs offset by $4 million higher AFUDC equity income driven by higher construction work-in progress balances in 2024.
Income tax expense decreased $8 million, or 18%, in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily driven by increased PTC benefits partially offset by higher pre-tax income as compared to the prior year.
2023 Compared to 2022
For a comparison of the Company’s results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 to the year ended December 31, 2022, see Item 7.—” Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 20, 2024.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Discussions, forward-looking statements, and projections in this section, and similar statements in other parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are subject to PGE’s assumptions regarding the availability and cost of capital. See “Capital and credit market conditions could adversely affect the Company’s access to capital, cost of capital, and ability to execute its strategic plan.” in Item 1A.—“Risk Factors,” for further information.
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Capital Requirements
The following table presents actual capital expenditures and debt maturities for 2024 and projected capital expenditures and future debt maturities for 2025 through 2029 (in millions, excluding AFUDC):
| Years Ending December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | |||||||||||||||||
| Ongoing capital expenditures (1) | $ | 851 | $ | 860 | $ | 895 | $ | 890 | $ | 920 | $ | 920 | ||||||||||
| Transmission | 150 | 240 | 255 | 390 | 420 | 515 | ||||||||||||||||
| Clearwater | 18 | 5 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| BESS projects | 243 | 165 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Total capital expenditures (2) | $ | 1,262 | $ | 1,270 | $ | 1,150 | $ | 1,280 | $ | 1,340 | $ | 1,435 | ||||||||||
| Long-term debt maturities | $ | 80 | $ | 170 | $ | — | $ | 160 | $ | 100 | $ | 200 |
(1) Consists primarily of upgrades to, and replacement of, generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, as well as new customer connects. Includes accrued capital additions, preliminary engineering, removal costs, and certain intangible working capital assets.
(2) Amounts subsequent to 2024 are estimates as of the date of this report and may be affected by economic conditions, including but not limited to, impacts of inflation, changes to the cost of materials and labor, and financing costs.
During 2024, PGE funded its capital expenditures through a combination of cash from operations in the amount of $778 million, proceeds from the issuance of FMBs in the total amount of $450 million, net proceeds from the issuance of shares pursuant to the at-the-market offering program of $346 million, and $170 million in net proceeds from a term loan. Capital expenditures in 2025 are expected to be approximately $1.3 billion. PGE plans to fund the 2025 capital expenditures with cash from operations during 2025, which is expected to range from $900 million to $1 billion, the issuance of debt securities of up to $550 million, issuances of shares pursuant to the at-the-market offering program, and the issuance of commercial paper, as needed. The actual timing and amount of any such issuances of debt, equity, and commercial paper will be dependent upon the timing and amount of capital expenditures and debt payments. For a discussion concerning PGE’s ability to fund its future capital requirements, see “Debt and Equity Financings” in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this Item 7.
Liquidity
PGE’s access to short-term debt markets, including revolving credit from banks, helps provide necessary liquidity to support the Company’s current operating activities, including the purchase of power and fuel. Long-term capital requirements are driven largely by capital expenditures for generation, transmission, and distribution facilities to support both new and existing customers, along with information technology systems and debt refinancing activities. PGE’s liquidity and capital requirements can also be significantly affected by other working capital needs, including margin deposit requirements related to wholesale market activities, which can vary depending upon the Company’s forward positions and the corresponding price curves.
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The following summarizes PGE’s cash flows for the periods presented (in millions):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | $ | 5 | $ | 165 | ||
| Net cash provided by (used in): | ||||||
| Operating activities | 778 | 420 | ||||
| Investing activities | (1,297) | (1,358) | ||||
| Financing activities | 526 | 778 | ||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | 7 | (160) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | $ | 12 | $ | 5 |
2024 Compared to 2023
Cash Flows from Operating Activities—Cash flows from operating activities are generally determined by the amount and timing of cash received from customers and payments made to vendors, as well as the nature and amount of non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, and pension and other postretirement benefit costs included in net income during a given period. The following items contributed to the net change in cash flows from operations for 2024 compared to 2023 (dollars in millions):
| Increase/ (Decrease) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Net income | $ | 85 |
| Accounts receivable and unbilled revenue | (37) | |
| Margin deposit activity | 78 | |
| Accounts payable | 213 | |
| Regulatory deferral activity | (190) | |
| Depreciation and amortization | 38 | |
| Deferred income taxes | 15 | |
| Tax credit sales | 88 | |
| Alternative revenue programs | 51 | |
| Other miscellaneous changes | 17 | |
| Net change in cash flow from operations | $ | 358 |
For additional information regarding changes in Net income, see the Results of Operations section in this Item 7.
Cash provided by operations includes the recovery in customer prices of non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization. The Company estimates that such charges in 2025 will range from $550 million to $575 million. Combined with all other sources, cash provided by operations in 2025 is estimated to range from $900 million to $1 billion.
Cash provided by operations includes the recovery in customer prices of cash charges related to various long-term contractual obligations such as interest on long-term debt and purchased power and fuel contracts. PGE’s anticipated employer contributions for its defined benefit pension plan and other postretirement plans is $24 million in 2025, $25 million in 2026, $22 million in 2027, $19 million in 2028, and $18 million in 2029. Contributions are expected to be covered by cash provided by operations. For additional information regarding contractual obligations, see Note 16, Commitments and Guarantees, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Cash Flows from Investing Activities—Cash flows used in investing activities consist primarily of capital expenditures related to new construction and improvements to PGE’s generation, transmission, and distribution
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facilities. The $61 million decrease in net cash used in investing activities in 2024 compared with 2023 is primarily due to Clearwater, which was placed in service in January 2024, offset by capital expenditures related to BESS projects and other new construction and improvements to PGE’s distribution, transmission, and generation facilities.
The Company plans for $1.3 billion of capital expenditures in 2025 related to upgrades to and replacement of generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure as well as costs related to BESS projects. PGE plans to fund the 2025 capital expenditures with cash from operations during 2025, as discussed above, as well as with the issuance of debt, issuances of shares pursuant to the at-the-market offering program, and short-term debt as necessary. For additional information, see “Capital Requirements” and “Debt and Equity Financings” in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this Item 7.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities—Financing activities provide supplemental cash for both day-to-day operations and capital requirements as needed. During 2024, cash provided by financing activities was primarily the result of the funding of $450 million in FMBs, $346 million in proceeds from the issuance of common stock pursuant to at-the-market offering programs, and $220 million in proceeds from the term loan. This was partially offset by payments of dividends in the amount of $200 million and $130 million of long-term debt.
2023 Compared to 2022
For a comparison of liquidity and capital resources and the Company’s cash flow activities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, see Item 7.—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on February 20, 2024.
Credit Ratings and Debt Covenants
PGE’s secured and unsecured debt is rated investment grade by Moody’s and S&P, with current credit ratings and outlook as follows:
| Moody’s | S&P | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Issuer credit rating | A3 | BBB+ | |
| Senior secured debt | A1 | A | |
| Commercial paper | P-2 | A-2 | |
| Outlook | Negative | Stable |
In June 2024, Moody’s revised the Company’s outlook from Stable to Negative. This change is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s liquidity or collateral obligations.
In the event Moody’s and/or S&P reduce their credit rating on PGE’s unsecured debt below investment grade, the Company could be subject to higher fees on its revolving credit facility. The Company could also be subject to requests by certain of its wholesale, commodity, and transmission counterparties to post additional performance assurance collateral in connection with its price risk management activities. The performance assurance collateral can be in the form of cash deposits or letters of credit, depending on the terms of the underlying agreements, and are based on the contract terms and commodity prices and can vary from period to period. Cash deposits provided as collateral are classified as Margin deposits in PGE’s consolidated balance sheets, while any letters of credit issued are not reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
As of December 31, 2024, PGE had posted $143 million of collateral with these counterparties, consisting of $125 million in cash and $18 million in bank letters of credit. Based on the Company’s energy portfolio, estimates of energy market prices, and the level of collateral outstanding as of December 31, 2024, the amount of additional collateral that could be requested upon a single agency downgrade to below investment grade is $92 million and increases to $94 million by December 31, 2025 and decreases to $44 million by December 31, 2026. The amount of additional collateral that could be requested upon a dual agency downgrade to below investment grade as of
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December 31, 2024 is $187 million and decreases to $185 million by December 31, 2025 and $102 million by December 31, 2026.
PGE’s financing arrangements do not contain ratings triggers that would result in the acceleration of required interest and principal payments in the event of a ratings downgrade. However, the cost of borrowing and issuing letters of credit under the credit facilities would increase.
The Indenture securing PGE’s outstanding FMBs constitutes a direct first mortgage lien on substantially all regulated utility property, other than expressly excepted property. Interest is payable semi-annually on FMBs. The issuance of FMBs requires that PGE meet earnings coverage and security provisions set forth in the Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust securing the bonds. PGE estimates that on December 31, 2024, under the most restrictive issuance test in the Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust, the Company could have issued up to $677 million of additional FMBs. Any issuances of FMBs would be subject to market conditions and amounts could be further limited by regulatory authorizations or by covenants and tests contained in other financing agreements. PGE also has the ability to release property from the lien of the Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust under certain circumstances, including bond credits, deposits of cash, or certain sales, exchanges, or other dispositions of property.
PGE’s credit facilities contain customary covenants and credit provisions, including a requirement that limits consolidated indebtedness, as defined in the credit agreements, to 65.0% of total capitalization (debt to total capital ratio). As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s debt to total capital ratio, as calculated under the credit agreements, was 55.1%.
Debt and Equity Financings
PGE’s ability to secure sufficient short- and long-term capital at a reasonable cost is determined by its financial performance and outlook, credit ratings, capital expenditure requirements, alternatives available to investors, market conditions, and other factors, such as the volatility in the capital markets in response to inflationary pressures and interest rate increases by the federal reserve. Management believes that the availability of its revolving credit facility, the expected ability to issue short- and long-term debt and equity securities, and cash expected to be generated from operations provide sufficient cash flow and liquidity to meet the Company’s anticipated capital and operating requirements for the foreseeable future.
Short-term Debt—Pursuant to an order issued by the FERC on January 18, 2024, PGE has authorization to issue short-term debt up to a total of $900 million through February 6, 2026. The following table shows available liquidity as of December 31, 2024 (in millions):
| December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Outstanding | Available | ||||||||
| Revolving credit facility (1) | $ | 750 | $ | — | $ | 750 | ||||
| Letters of credit (2) | 320 | 85 | 235 | |||||||
| Total credit | $ | 1,070 | $ | 85 | 985 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 12 | |||||||||
| Total liquidity | $ | 997 |
(1)Scheduled to expire in September 2029. PGE has elected to limit its borrowings under the revolving credit facility to cover any potential need to repay outstanding commercial paper. As of December 31, 2024, PGE had no of commercial paper outstanding, therefore, the elected available credit capacity is $750 million.
(2)PGE has four letter of credit facilities under which the Company can request letters of credit for an original term not to exceed one year.
As of December 31, 2024, PGE had a $750 million unsecured revolving credit facility scheduled to expire in September 2029. The facility allows for unlimited extension requests, provided that lenders with a pro-rata share of more than 50% of the facility approve the extension request. The revolving credit facility supplements operating
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cash flows and provides a primary source of liquidity. In addition, the credit facility offers the potential for adjustments to interest rate margins and fees based on PGE’s achievement of certain annual sustainability-linked metrics related to its non-emitting generation capacity and the percentage of management comprised of women and employees who identify as black, indigenous, and people of color. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the revolving credit facility may be used as backup for commercial paper borrowings, to permit the issuance of standby letters of credit, and to provide cash for general corporate purposes. PGE may borrow for one, three, or six months at a fixed interest rate established at the time of the borrowing, or at a variable interest rate for any period up to the then remaining term of the applicable credit facility.
The Company has a commercial paper program under which it may issue commercial paper for terms of up to 270 days, limited to the unused amount of credit under the revolving credit facility. The Company has elected to limit its borrowings under the revolving credit facility to cover any potential need to repay commercial paper that may be outstanding at the time. As of December 31, 2024, PGE had no commercial paper outstanding.
PGE typically classifies borrowings under the revolving credit facility and outstanding commercial paper as Short-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets.
Under the revolving credit facility, as of December 31, 2024, PGE had no borrowings or commercial paper outstanding, and no letters of credit issued. As a result, as of December 31, 2024, the aggregate unused available credit capacity under the revolving credit facility was $750 million.
In addition, PGE has four letter of credit facilities under which the Company has total capacity of $320 million. The issuance of such letters of credit is subject to the approval of the issuing institution. Under these facilities, which are considered off-balance sheet arrangements, letters of credit for a total of $85 million were outstanding as of December 31, 2024. PGE works to optimize its use of its letter of credit facility to manage energy trading margin.
Long-term Debt—During 2024, PGE issued and funded a total of $670 million of Long-term Debt and repaid a total of $130 million.
On February 22, 2024, PGE entered into a Bond Purchase Agreement related to the sale of $450 million in FMBs. The Bonds were issued and funded in full on February 22, 2024 and consist of:
•a series, due in 2029, in the amount of $100 million that will bear interest from its issuance date at an annual rate of 5.15%;
•a series, due in 2034, in the amount of $100 million that will bear interest from its issuance date at an annual rate of 5.36%; and
•a series, due in 2054, in the amount of $250 million that will bear interest from its issuance date at an annual rate of 5.73%.
On November 14, 2024, PGE obtained a 366-day term loan from lenders in the aggregate principal of $300 million under a 366-Day Bridge Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the Agreement, on November 14, 2024, PGE drew a loan from the Lenders in the aggregate principal of $220 million, utilizing a portion of the proceeds to make a scheduled $80 million repayment of a 3.51% Series of First Mortgage Bonds. The term loan bears interest for the relevant interest period at the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus Term SOFR Adjustment Rate of 10 basis points and Applicable Margin of 80.0 basis points. The interest rate is subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the loan. On December 31, 2024, PGE repaid $50 million of the term loan, leaving an outstanding balance of $170 million.
As of December 31, 2024, total long-term debt outstanding, net of $15 million of unamortized debt expense, was $4,524 million, of which $170 million is scheduled to mature in 2025.
Equity—On April 28, 2023, PGE entered into an equity distribution agreement under which it could sell up to $300 million of its common stock through at-the-market offering programs. In 2023, pursuant to the terms of the equity
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distribution agreement, PGE entered into separate forward sale agreements with forward counterparties. In March 2024, the Company issued 1,714,972 shares pursuant to the forward sale agreements and received net proceeds of $78 million. In 2024, PGE entered into additional forward sale agreements with forward counterparties, exhausting the $300 million facility. In the third quarter of 2024, the Company issued 2,351,070 shares pursuant to the additional forward sale agreements and received net proceeds of $100 million. In October 2024, the Company issued 2,788,431 shares pursuant to the additional forward sale agreements, settling the transaction, and received net proceeds of $119 million.
On July 26, 2024, PGE entered into an equity distribution agreement under which it could sell up to $400 million of its common stock through at-the-market offering programs. In the fourth quarter the Company entered into forward sale agreements for 1,420,049 shares. In December 2024, the Company issued 1,066,549 shares pursuant to the forward sale agreements and received net proceeds of $50 million. The Company could have physically settled the remaining amount by delivering 353,500 shares in exchange for cash of $17 million as of December 31, 2024. Any proceeds from the issuances of common stock will be used for general corporate purposes and investments in renewables and non-emitting dispatchable capacity.
For additional information on the at-the-market offering program, see Note 13, Equity-based Plans, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Capital Structure—PGE’s financial objectives include maintaining a common equity ratio (common equity to total consolidated capitalization, including current debt maturities and excluding lease obligations) of approximately 50% over time. Achievement of this objective helps the Company maintain investment grade debt ratings and provides access to long-term capital at favorable interest rates. The Company’s common equity ratio was 45.6% and 44.6% as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires that management apply accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the statements. The following accounting policies represent those that management believes are particularly important to the consolidated financial statements and that require the use of estimates, assumptions, and judgments to determine matters that are inherently uncertain.
Regulatory Accounting
As a rate-regulated enterprise, PGE applies regulatory accounting, which includes the recognition of regulatory assets and liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Regulatory assets represent probable future revenue associated with certain incurred costs that are expected to be recovered from customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory liabilities represent probable future reductions in revenues associated with amounts that are expected to be credited or refunded to customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory accounting is appropriate as long as prices are established or subject to approval by independent third-party regulators, prices are designed to recover the specific enterprise’s cost-of-service, and, in view of demand for service, it is reasonable to assume that prices set at levels that will recover costs can be charged to and collected from customers. Amortization of regulatory assets and liabilities is reflected in the statement of income over the period in which they are included in customer prices.
If future recovery of regulatory assets is not probable, PGE would expense such items in the period such determination is made. Further, if PGE determines that all or a portion of its utility operations no longer meet the criteria for continued application of regulatory accounting, the Company would be required to write off those regulatory assets and liabilities related to operations that no longer meet requirements for regulatory accounting. Discontinued application of regulatory accounting would have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
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For additional information on PGE’s regulatory assets and liabilities, see “Regulatory Matters” in the Overview section in this Item 7., and Note 7, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Asset Retirement Obligations
PGE recognizes AROs for legal obligations related to dismantlement and restoration costs associated with the future retirement of tangible long-lived assets. Upon initial recognition of AROs that are measurable, the probability-weighted future cash flows for the associated retirement costs, discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate, are recognized as both a liability and as an increase in the capitalized carrying amount of the related long-lived assets. Due to the long lead time involved, a market-risk premium cannot be determined for inclusion in future cash flows. In estimating the liability, management must utilize significant judgment and assumptions in determining whether a legal obligation exists to remove assets. Other estimates may be related to lease provisions, ownership agreements, licensing issues, cost estimates, inflation, and certain legal requirements. Estimates for ARO liabilities are generally based on site-specific studies and are periodically subject to updates and changes that may arise over time.
Capitalized asset retirement costs related to electric utility plant are depreciated over the estimated life of the related asset and included in Depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of income. For revisions to ARO liabilities in which the related asset is no longer in service, the corresponding offset is recorded as a Regulatory asset on the consolidated balance sheets, except for those AROs related to non-utility assets which is charged to Depreciation and amortization on the consolidated statements of income. Accretion of the ARO liability is classified as Depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of income. Accumulated asset retirement removal costs that do not qualify as AROs have been reclassified from accumulated depreciation to regulatory liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
As a co-owner of Colstrip, PGE has provided surety bonds, which are considered off-balance sheet arrangements, of $22 million as of December 31, 2024 on behalf of the operator to ensure the operation and maintenance of remedial and closure actions are carried out related to the Administrative Order on Consent Regarding Impacts Related to Wastewater Facilities Comprising the Closed-Loop System at Colstrip Steam Electric Station, Colstrip Montana (the AOC) as required by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. It is possible that each co-owner of Colstrip will be required, at some future point, to post additional financial assurance to support further performance by the operator of closure and remediation actions under the AOC.
For additional information on AROs, see Note 8, Asset Retirement Obligations, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Contingencies
PGE has various unresolved legal and regulatory matters about which there is inherent uncertainty, with the ultimate outcome contingent upon several factors. Such contingencies are evaluated using the best information available. A loss contingency is accrued, and disclosed if material, when it is probable that an asset has been impaired, or a liability incurred, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. If a range of probable loss is established, the minimum amount in the range is accrued, unless some other amount within the range appears to be a better estimate. If the probable loss cannot be reasonably estimated, no accrual is recorded, but the loss contingency and the reasons to the effect that it cannot be reasonably estimated are disclosed. A loss contingency will also be disclosed when it is reasonably possible that a liability has been incurred if the estimate or range of potential loss is material. Established accruals reflect management’s assessment of inherent risks, credit worthiness, and complexities involved in the process. There can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of any particular contingency.
For additional information on contingencies, see Note 19, Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
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FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000784977-24-000034.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this report includes statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to expectations, beliefs, plans, assumptions and objectives concerning future results of operations, business prospects, loads, outcome of litigation and regulatory proceedings, capital expenditures, market conditions, events or performance, and other matters. Words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “will likely result,” “will continue,” “should,” “based on,” “conditioned upon,” “considers,” “could,” “expected,” “forecast,” “goals,” “needs,” “promises,” “subject to,” “targets,” or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed. PGE’s expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis including, but not limited to, management’s examination of historical operating trends and data contained either in internal records or available from third parties, but there can be no assurance that PGE’s expectations, beliefs, or projections will be achieved or accomplished.
In addition to any assumptions and other factors and matters referred to specifically in connection with forward-looking statements, factors that could cause actual results or outcomes for PGE to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements include:
•governmental policies, legislative action, and regulatory audits, investigations and actions, including those of the FERC, the OPUC, the SEC, and the Division of Enforcement of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) with respect to allowed rates of return, financings, electricity pricing and price structures, acquisition and disposal of facilities and other assets, construction and operation of plant facilities, transmission of electricity, recovery of power costs, operating expenses, deferrals, timely recovery of costs, and capital investments, energy trading activities, and current or prospective wholesale and retail competition;
•economic conditions that result in decreased demand for electricity, reduced revenue from sales of excess energy during periods of low wholesale market prices, impaired financial stability of vendors and service providers and elevated levels of uncollectible customer accounts;
•inflation and volatility in interest rates;
•changing customer expectations and choices that may reduce customer demand for PGE’s services may impact the Company’s ability to make and recover its investments through rates and earn its authorized return on equity, including the impact of growing distributed and renewable generation resources, changing customer demand for enhanced electric services, and an increasing risk that customers procure electricity from registered ESSs or the adoption of community choice aggregation;
•the timing or outcome of legal and regulatory proceedings and issues including, but not limited to, the matters described in Regulatory Matters of the “Overview” in this Item 7. and Note 19, Contingencies in the
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.— “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K;
•natural or human-caused disasters and other risks, including, but not limited to, earthquake, flood, ice, drought, extreme heat, lightning, wind, fire, accidents, equipment failure, acts of terrorism, computer system outages and other events that disrupt PGE operations, damage PGE facilities and systems, cause the release of harmful materials, cause fires, and subject the Company to liability;
•unseasonable or severe weather and other natural phenomena, such as the greater size and prevalence of wildfires in Oregon in recent years, which could affect public safety, customers’ demand for power and PGE’s ability and cost to procure adequate power and fuel supplies to serve its customers, access the wholesale energy market, or operate its generating facilities and transmission and distribution systems, and the Company’s costs to maintain, repair, and replace such facilities and systems, and recovery of costs;
•PGE’s ability to effectively implement a PSPS and de-energize its system in the event of heightened wildfire risk or implement effective system hardening programs, the inability of which could lead to potential liability if energized systems are involved in wildfires that cause harm, as well as the risk that damages from wildfires may not be recoverable through rates or insurance, resulting in impact to the financial condition or reputation of the Company;
•operational factors affecting PGE’s power generating facilities and battery storage facilities, including forced outages, fires, unscheduled delays, hydro and wind conditions, and disruption of fuel supply, any of which may cause the Company to incur repair costs or purchase replacement power at increased costs;
•default or nonperformance on the part of any parties from whom PGE purchases fuel, capacity, or energy, which may cause the Company to incur costs to purchase replacement power and related renewable attributes at increased costs;
•complications arising from PGE’s jointly-owned plant, including changes in ownership, adverse regulatory outcomes or legislative actions, or operational failures that result in legal or environmental liabilities or unanticipated costs related to replacement power or repair costs;
•delays in the supply chain and increased supply costs, failure to complete capital projects on schedule or within budget, inability to complete negotiations on contracts for capital projects, failure of counterparties to perform under agreements, or the abandonment of capital projects, any of which could result in the Company’s inability to recover project costs, or impact PGE’s competitive position, market share, or results of operations in a material way;
•volatility in wholesale power and natural gas prices, including but not limited to volatility caused by macroeconomic and international issues, that could require PGE to post additional collateral or issue additional letters of credit pursuant to power and natural gas purchase agreements;
•changes in the availability and price of wholesale power and fuels, including natural gas and coal, and the impact of such changes on the Company’s power costs;
•capital market conditions, including availability of capital, volatility of interest rates, reductions in demand for investment-grade commercial paper, volatility of equity markets as well as changes in PGE’s credit ratings, any of which could have an impact on the Company’s cost of capital and its ability to access the capital markets to support requirements for working capital, construction of capital projects, the repayments of maturing debt, and stock-based compensation plans, which are relied upon in part to retain key executives and employees;
•future laws, regulations, and proceedings that could increase the Company’s costs of operating its thermal generating plants, or affect the operations of such plants by imposing requirements for additional emissions controls or significant emissions fees or taxes, particularly with respect to coal-fired generating facilities, in order to mitigate carbon dioxide, mercury, and other gas emissions;
•changes in, and compliance with, environmental laws and policies, including those related to threatened and endangered species, fish, and wildlife;
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•the effects of climate change, whether global or local in nature, including unseasonable or extreme weather and other natural phenomena that may affect energy costs or consumption, increase the Company’s costs, cause damage to PGE facilities and system, or adversely affect its operations;
•changes in residential, commercial, or industrial customer growth, or demographic patterns, including changes in load resulting in future transmission constraints, in PGE’s service territory;
•the effectiveness of PGE’s risk management policies and procedures;
•cybersecurity attacks, data security breaches, physical attacks and security breaches, or other malicious acts that cause damage to the Company’s generation, transmission, or distribution facilities, information technology systems, inhibit the capability of equipment or systems to function as designed or expected, or result in the release of confidential customer, vendor, employee, or Company information;
•employee workforce factors, including potential strikes, work stoppages, transitions in senior management, the ability to recruit and retain key employees and other talent, and turnover due to macroeconomic trends such as voluntary resignation of large numbers of employees similar to that experienced by other employers and industries since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic;
•new federal, state, and local laws that could have adverse effects on operating results;
•failure to achieve the Company’s greenhouse gas emission goals or being perceived to have either failed to act responsibly with respect to the environment or effectively respond to legislative requirements concerning greenhouse gas emission reductions, any of which could lead to adverse publicity and have adverse effects on the Company's operations and/or damage the Company's reputation;
•social attitudes regarding the electric utility and power industries;
•political and economic conditions;
•the impact of widespread health developments, and responses to such developments (such as voluntary and mandatory quarantines, including government stay at home orders, as well as shut downs and other restrictions on travel, commercial, social, and other activities), which could materially and adversely affect, among other things, demand for electric services, customers’ ability to pay, supply chains, personnel, contract counterparties, liquidity and financial markets;
•changes in financial or regulatory accounting principles or policies imposed by governing bodies;
•risks and uncertainties related to current or future All-Source RFP projects, including, but not limited to regulatory processes, transmission capabilities, system interconnections, inflationary impacts, supply chain constraints, supply cost increases (including application of tariffs impacting solar module imports), permitting and construction delays, and legislative uncertainty; and
•acts of war or terrorism.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by law, PGE undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors or assess the impact of any such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
Overview
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to provide an understanding of the business environment, results of operations, and financial condition of PGE. MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements contained in this report, and other periodic and current reports filed with the SEC.
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PGE is a vertically-integrated electric utility engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the State. The Company participates in wholesale markets by purchasing and selling electricity and natural gas in an effort to meet the needs of, and obtain reasonably-priced power for, its retail customers, manage risk, and administer its long-term wholesale contracts. In addition, PGE continues to develop products and service offerings for the benefit of retail and wholesale customers. The Company generates revenues and cash flows primarily from the sale and distribution of electricity to retail customers in its service territory.
Company Strategy
The Company exists to power the advancement of society. PGE energizes lives, strengthens communities, and fosters energy solutions that promote social, economic, and environmental progress. The Company is committed to being a clean energy leader and delivering steady growth and returns to shareholders. PGE is focused on working with customers, communities, policy makers, and other stakeholders to deliver affordable, safe, reliable electricity service to all, while increasing opportunities to deliver clean and renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and responding to evolving customer expectations. At the same time, the Company is building an increasingly smart, integrated, and interconnected grid that spans from residential customers to other utilities within the region. PGE is transforming all aspects of its business to empower its workforce to be even more results oriented to serve customers well. To create a clean energy future, PGE is focused on the following strategic imperatives:
•Decarbonize Power—Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with electricity served to retail customers by at least 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2040;
•Electrify the Economy—Increase beneficial electricity use to capture the benefits of new technologies while building an increasingly clean, flexible and reliable grid; and
•Advance Performance—Improve safety, efficiency, and system and equipment reliability while maintaining affordable energy service and growing earnings per share 5% to 7% annually.
Climate Change
State-mandated GHG emissions reduction targets—In June 2021, the Oregon legislature passed House Bill (HB) 2021, establishing a 100% clean electricity by 2040 framework for PGE and other investor-owned utilities and electric service suppliers in the State. A number of provisions in the bill align with PGE’s strategic direction, and highlight Oregon’s ambitious, economy-wide goals to combat climate change. The GHG emissions reduction targets applicable to these regulated entities are an 80% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2040 and every year thereafter. For more information regarding HB 2021 and the baseline to which the target reductions apply, see “HB 2021” in the Laws and Regulations section of this Overview.
Empowering customers and communities—PGE’s customers have a desire for purchasing clean energy, as over 233 thousand residential and small commercial customers voluntarily participate in PGE’s Green Future Program, the largest renewable power program by participation in the nation. In 2017, Oregon’s most populous city, Portland, and most populous county, Multnomah, each passed resolutions to achieve 100 percent clean and renewable electricity by 2035 and 100 percent economy-wide clean and renewable energy by 2050. Other jurisdictions in PGE’s service area have similar goals and continue to consider similar goals for the future.
The Company implemented a customer subscription option, the Green Future Impact Program, which is a renewable energy program that allows large business and municipality customers to have a choice in how they source their electricity. Under the Green Future Impact Program, customers can enroll in a Customer-Supplied Option (CSO) or PGE-Supplied Option (PSO). Under the CSO, participants are responsible for finding a renewable energy facility that meets established requirements and bringing those resources to PGE. Under the PSO, customers who enrolled in Phase I can receive energy from PGE-provided purchased power agreements (PPAs) for renewable resources and customers who enroll in Phase II can receive energy either from PGE-provided PPAs for renewable resources or energy from renewable resources that are PGE owned, under certain conditions.
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As of December 31, 2023, the Green Future Impact Program has an approved capacity of 750 MW nameplate. Through this voluntary program, the Company seeks to support the customers’ clean energy acceleration, achieve PGE sustainability goals, mitigate cost and manage risk, and reliably integrate power.
The Climate Pledge—In 2021, PGE joined The Climate Pledge, a commitment to be net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040, which is a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s goal of 2050. As a signatory to The Climate Pledge, PGE agrees to: i) measure and report GHG emissions on a regular basis; ii) implement decarbonization strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business changes and innovations, including efficiency improvements, renewable energy, materials reductions, and other carbon emission elimination strategies; and iii) neutralize any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent, and socially-beneficial offsets.
Severe weather—In recent years, PGE’s territory has experienced unprecedented heat, historic ice and snowstorms, and wildfires. On January 13, 2024, the Company’s service territory encountered the first of a series of severe winter weather events, including snow, ice, and high winds that caused catastrophic damage to physical assets and resulted in widespread customer power outages. For more information regarding the January 2024 severe winter weather events, see “Declared States of Emergency” within this Overview section of this Item 7. August 2023 experienced a record-breaking heat wave with temperatures in the region reaching all-time recorded highs for the month. This resulted in a peak load demand of 4,498 MW, beating the Company’s previous all-time peak load demand, and surpassing the prior summer peak load by nearly 6%. The increase and severity of extreme weather events highlights the importance of combating the effects of climate change through decarbonizing the power supply and investing in a more reliable and resilient grid.
Investing in a Clean Energy Future
The Resource Planning Process—PGE’s resource planning process includes working with customers, stakeholders, and regulators to chart the course toward a clean, affordable, and reliable energy future. With the passage of HB 2021, PGE created a Clean Energy Plan (CEP), which articulates the Company’s strategy to meet the 2030, 2035, and 2040 emission reduction targets through an equitable transition to a decarbonized grid. The CEP is based on, and was filed in connection with, the Company’s 2023 IRP. PGE filed its first combined IRP and CEP with the OPUC on March 31, 2023. That filing projects PGE’s resource and capacity needs over the next 20 years and proposes an Action Plan to meet near-term needs, subject to the new HB 2021 emissions reduction requirements.
Throughout the remainder of 2023, PGE refreshed its forecasts, first in an Addendum filed July 7, 2023 then several times in subsequent comments in the CEP and IRP docket with the OPUC (LC 80). PGE currently estimates a total resource need of approximately 3,500 to 4,500 MW of renewable energy and non-emitting capacity in order to meet the Company’s 2030 emissions reduction target. Through the 2021 All-Source RFP, PGE procured 311 MW of wind resources and 475 MW of capacity, leaving a remaining need to procure approximately 2,700 to 3,700 MW.
On January 25, 2024, the OPUC acknowledged PGE’s IRP, subject to certain conditions, providing regulatory support for the Company to pursue the near-term resource additions articulated in the Action Plan. However, the OPUC declined to acknowledge the CEP, directing the Company to provide additional forecast of its emission reductions based on new analysis in the CEP/IRP Update to be filed in January 2025. PGE will continue to pursue its 2023 All-Source RFP while revising forecasts of emissions in the CEP.
2021 All- Source RFP
In 2021, PGE initiated its 2021 All-Source RFP public process, seeking approximately 1,000 MW of renewable resources and non-emitting dispatchable capacity, to fill the need identified in the 2019 IRP action plan and to meet a portion of the Company’s estimated 2030 need.
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Pursuant to the 2021 All-Source RFP process, PGE has entered into agreements to acquire the following:
•Clearwater Wind Development—PGE and NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc. entered into agreements to construct a 311 MW wind energy facility, which will be part of the larger Clearwater Wind Development in Eastern Montana. PGE will own 208 MW of production capacity of the 311 MW in these agreements, with an initial expected investment of approximately $415 million, excluding an allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC). Subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC will own the remaining 103 MW of production capacity and will sell their portion of the output to PGE under a 30-year PPA. Subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC were to design, build, and operate the facility. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has recorded $411 million, including AFUDC, in construction work-in-progress related to Clearwater. Substantial completion of the project was achieved on January 5, 2024 at a placed-in-service cost of $419 million, with $6 million in expected trailing costs remaining.
•Seaside Grid—PGE entered into an agreement to construct a 200 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Portland, Oregon. PGE will own the resource, with an investment of approximately $360 million, excluding AFUDC. The project has an estimated commercial operation date of June 30, 2025.
•Constable BESS—PGE entered into an agreement to construct a 75 MW BESS in Hillsboro, Oregon. PGE will own the resource, with an investment of approximately $150 million, excluding AFUDC. The project has an estimated commercial operation date of December 31, 2024.
•Troutdale Grid—PGE entered into a storage capacity agreement for a 200 MW BESS in Troutdale, Oregon. NextEra Energy Resources, LLC will own the resource and will sell the capacity to PGE under a 20-year storage capacity agreement. The project has an estimated commercial operation date of December 31, 2024.
The Clearwater agreements and all BESS agreements represent the final procurement from the 2021 All-Source RFP. Resources required to meet the remaining 2030 need are anticipated to be procured through future acquisition processes, including, but not limited to, the 2023 All-Source RFP and future RFPs.
All BESS projects will be directly interconnected to PGE’s system. Energy discharge of BESS projects is reflective of the emission characteristics of the energy utilized to charge the facility. BESS projects do not add incremental emissions to the grid, and therefore, are non-emitting dispatchable capacity resources. The BESS agreements will qualify for the federal investment tax credit (ITC). The Clearwater agreements will qualify for PTCs and will be eligible under Oregon’s RPS. The agreements will be subject to prudency review by the OPUC.
In February 2022, NewSun Energy LLC (NewSun) filed a petition for judicial review in the Marion County Circuit Court against the OPUC, challenging the scoring methodology in the 2021 All-Source RFP. PGE joined in the case as an intervenor. NewSun also filed a motion to stay the 2021 All-Source RFP process, which the Court subsequently denied. The OPUC filed a motion to dismiss the case and PGE joined the OPUC’s motion to dismiss. NewSun opposed the motion. In May 2022, the Court granted the motion to dismiss to which NewSun responded in June 2022 by filing a notice of appeal with the Court of Appeals of the State of Oregon. After receiving multiple extensions, NewSun filed its opening brief in the appeal in February 2023 and PGE filed a response brief on June 1, 2023. On August 1, 2023, PGE filed a notice asking the Court to dismiss the case. That motion remains pending. Oral argument in this case is scheduled for March 18, 2024.
In October 2022, NewSun filed a petition in Deschutes County Circuit Court seeking review of the OPUC order acknowledging, with conditions, PGE’s 2021 All-Source RFP shortlist. PGE intervened in this case and, on March 16, 2023, filed a motion to dismiss. On September 7, 2023, the judge granted PGE’s motion to dismiss. On November 19, 2023, NewSun filed a notice of appeal in the Court of Appeals of the State of Oregon.
PGE cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings or potential impact, if any, to its ongoing 2021 All-Source RFP process.
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2023 All-Source RFP
PGE filed notice with the OPUC on January 31, 2023 that an RFP in 2023 was needed to procure resources to meet a forecasted 2026 capacity shortfall and to make continued progress toward decarbonization targets under HB 2021. These actions were consistent with the 2023 IRP Action Plan and CEP. The filing included PGE’s request for a partial waiver of the OPUC’s competitive bidding rules, which was approved by the OPUC on April 18, 2023, and outlined PGE’s recommended timeline for obtaining necessary regulatory approvals. PGE filed the draft 2023 All-Source RFP with the OPUC on May 19, 2023 and regulatory approval was granted in January 2024. The Company issued the RFP to market on February 2, 2024, seeking bids for resources that can provide non-emitting dispatchable capacity and renewable generation. The Company will accept and evaluate bids during the first quarter of 2024 and present a shortlist of top-performing projects for OPUC acknowledgement later in the year.
Transmission Upgrades
In alignment with local and regional transmission plans, the 2023 IRP Action Plan, and CEP, PGE is evaluating and implementing upgrades to existing transmission resources and expansions of current transmission networks. Transmission resource actions are intended to alleviate congestion, improve regional adequacy and reliability, enable decarbonization goals, and address growing customer demand.
Building a resilient grid—To serve communities with clean energy, PGE’s grid of the future will need to be smart and adaptive. Highlights of PGE’s key investments and plans for building a resilient grid include:
•Wildfire Mitigation—PGE plans and implements a Wildfire Mitigation Program (WMP), developing and coordinating activities across the Company and with state-wide stakeholders. The 2024 WMP forecasts $45 million in operations and maintenance costs and an additional $43 to $49 million in capital investments to continue system hardening efforts, expand situational awareness capabilities, implement specific inspection and maintenance along with vegetation management, raise community and customer awareness, and take operational actions within high fire risk zones. PGE strives to improve regional safety by reducing the risk that PGE’s electric utility infrastructure could cause a wildfire, while limiting the impacts of PSPS events and other mitigation activities on customers and increasing the resiliency of PGE assets to wildfire damage. During 2023, PGE invested $18 million in capital projects related to wildfire mitigation and resiliency and utility asset management, consistent with the 2023 WMP.
•Virtual Power Plant (VPP)—PGE’s VPP is a production resource comprised of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and flexible loads that are managed through technology platforms to provide grid and power operations services. PGE’s customer offerings related to energy efficiency and flexible load programs, rooftop solar, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging solutions support grid reliability and increase portfolio flexibility and resource diversity. These distributed energy resources are the foundation of PGE’s VPP that will provide a growing suite of grid and system services over time. When coordinated through the Company’s DER Management Systems, DERs and flexible loads support cost-effective decarbonization, advance customer and community energy resiliency, promote customer engagement with the energy system, and unlock additional grid services that enhance PGE’s operation of a dynamic two-way system. In 2023, PGE saw record energy demand of 4,498 MW on August 14. Customer actions that day, orchestrated through the VPP, reduced load by more than 90 MW, helping avoid customer service interruptions and reducing exposure to scarcity pricing in energy markets.
•Distribution System Plan (DSP)—In 2021 and 2022, PGE filed its inaugural DSP in two parts, which were accepted by the OPUC in March 2022 and February 2023, respectively. The DSP outlines distribution system assets, describes how the Company plans for new load including distributed resources such as electric vehicles (EVs) and Solar Photovoltaic installations, and presents the vision for modernizing the grid to enable accelerated decarbonization and customer participation in meeting PGE’s clean energy goals. The Company is in the process of compiling the next DSP, which is expected to be filed by the first quarter of 2025.
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Electrify the economy—To help Oregon reach its decarbonization goals, PGE is working to build a safe, reliable, and affordable, economy-wide, clean energy future. The Company is committed to increasing electrification of buildings and supports the accelerating pace of vehicle electrification for our customers, as well as its own vehicle fleet.
Transportation electrification is one of the most significant ways to reduce GHG emissions in Oregon. PGE is engaged with customers and communities to manage electric vehicle (EV) charging load, develop infrastructure projects aimed at improving accessibility to electric vehicle charging stations, build fleet partnerships, and offer programs to encourage customers to advance transportation electrification.
In 2021, the Oregon legislature enacted HB 2165, ensuring the OPUC has clear and broad authority to allow electric company investments in infrastructure to support transportation electrification. In 2023, PGE’s second Transportation Electrification (TE) plan was filed and accepted by the OPUC. The TE plan considers current and planned activities, along with EV forecasts and potential system impacts. The 2023 TE plan represents a continuation of the approach and programmatic efforts found within PGE’s 2019 TE plan while also outlining the Company’s current strategy to integrate TE into utility business in order to plan, service, and manage EV load.
In the 2023 to 2025 period covered by the 2023 TE plan, capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $25 million. The final 2023 TE plan was accepted by the OPUC on October 17, 2023. In October 2023, the OPUC accepted the planned activities associated with TE.
Businesses and families continue to turn to electricity to serve their home and workplace needs. PGE continues to pursue advanced technologies to enhance the grid, pursue distributed generation and energy storage, and develop microgrids and the use of data and analytics to better predict demand and support energy-saving customer programs.
Laws and Regulations
Federal Grants—In November 2021, the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which includes approximately $550 billion of new federal spending, was signed into law. PGE continues to pursue multiple areas under the IIJA, and other state and federal programs, for potential grant funding of projects. These projects target improvements in electrical system reliability and resiliency, wildfire situational awareness and mitigation, greater communications capabilities, advancements in customer usage analytics using artificial intelligence, renewable resources and advanced electrical grid support, hydro generation operations, hydrogen production, and regional transmission capacity constraints.
As of December 31, 2023, PGE has submitted 16 full federal grant applications and has been awarded eight grants totaling $314.4 million, including the following:
•U.S. DOE Bethel-Round Butte Transmission Line Upgrade—The U.S. DOE selected the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (CTWS), in partnership with PGE, for a $250 million grant to upgrade the existing 230 kV Bethel-Round Butte Transmission line to 500 kV. The project will accelerate the development of transmission capacity, enabling new carbon-free generation in Central and Eastern Oregon to reach customer demand loads in Western Oregon. The added capacity and associated upgrades will also increase resiliency of the transmission system as well as resiliency of the CTWS Tribal communities by increasing resources available to the Tribes to support adaptation and response strategies. The U.S. DOE and PGE are negotiating the final funding and scope for the line upgrade as part of a multi-year process.
•U.S. DOE Smart Grid Chip—The U.S. DOE selected a PGE-led consortium for a $50 million grant for the Smart Grid Chip project. The project will enable real-time information at each meter to improve the visibility of the electrical system to grid operators, providing detection of potential operational problems and shorten outage times, ultimately helping to anticipate and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather on grid resiliency. The DOE and PGE are negotiating the final funding and scope for the project as part of a multi-year process.
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PGE is in the process of assessing the impacts of these federal grants on the Company’s results of operations. Although PGE continues to apply for additional grants, the Company cannot predict the ultimate timing and success of securing funding from federal programs.
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022—The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) was signed into law in August 2022 with a majority of the provisions effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022.
The United States Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service released extensive rules addressing credit transfer eligibility and application, including but not limited to, required registration, filing, and documentation for transferors and transferees to elect and claim a credit transfer. On December 12, 2023, PGE received approval from the OPUC to transfer 2023 production tax credits and record any difference in the full value and the discounted value in a property balancing account. Consistent with options available under the IRA, PGE sold credits during 2023 and intends to sell credits in the future.
Compared to previous resource planning processes, the Company believes the new tax incentives will provide additional investment opportunities for PGE and result in lower customer prices. Increased capital expenditures in such investment opportunities would likely result in additional financing needs through debt and equity instruments.
HB 3143—In June 2023, the Oregon Legislature passed HB 3143, which was signed by the Governor on August 1, 2023. HB 3143 allows the OPUC to authorize the State’s investor-owned utilities, including PGE, to issue bonds and securitize debt for expenses associated with declared emergency events. The bill enables PGE, after a public process and rigorous review and approval by the OPUC, to issue, at a minimum, investment grade bonds to pay for the costs of declared emergencies.
HB 2021—In June 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed HB 2021, which, among other things, requires retail electricity providers to reduce GHG emissions associated with serving Oregon retail electricity consumers 80% by 2030, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2040, compared to their baseline emissions levels. For PGE, the baseline levels are the average annual emissions for the years 2010, 2011, and 2012 associated with the electricity sold to its retail electricity consumers as reported to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ).
HB 2021 requires utilities to develop a CEP for meeting the targets, concurrent with each IRP, and to develop a DSP that establishes reasonable costs for retail electricity consumers. In reviewing a CEP, the OPUC must ensure that utilities plan for equitable implementation, demonstrate continual progress, and take actions as soon as practicable that facilitate rapid reduction of GHG emissions.
Regulated entities are required to, and will continue to, report annual GHG emissions to the ODEQ, as they are required to do today. In threshold years, and every year thereafter, the OPUC will use the data reported to the ODEQ for that compliance year to determine whether the reduction targets are met.
Utilizing the methodology per the ODEQ’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Protocol for investor-owned utilities, PGE’s preliminary percentage of 2023 retail load served by non-emitting resources is 32 percent as of December 31, 2023.
Governor executive order—In 2020, the Governor of Oregon issued Executive Order 20-04 that directed State agencies to integrate climate change and the State’s GHG emissions reduction goals into their plans, budgets, investments, and decisions to the extent allowed by law. Among other things, Executive Order 20-04, which remains in place until withdrawn or superseded:
•directed the OPUC to encourage electric companies to support transportation electrification infrastructure;
•directed the ODEQ to adopt a program to cap and reduce GHG emissions within the State from large stationary sources, transportation fuels, and other liquid or gaseous fuels including natural gas. In response, in 2021, the ODEQ adopted the Climate Protection Plan, which among various provisions, included an exemption for electricity generation from the Company’s natural gas-fired resources; and
•modified the reduction goals of the State’s Clean Fuels Program and extended the program while increasing the required reduction in average carbon intensity of transportation fuels.
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PGE continues to monitor activities of State agencies that have utilized Executive Order 20-04 to shape State policy or seek to implement it through their own regulatory authority.
RPS standards and other laws—In 2016, Oregon Senate Bill (SB) 1547 set a benchmark for the percentage of electricity that must come from renewable sources and required the elimination of coal as a fuel for generation of electricity used to serve Oregon utility customers no later than 2030.
PGE ceased coal fired operation at its Boardman generating facility (Boardman) in 2020 and decommissioning of the plant is substantially complete. The Company has a 20% ownership share in Colstrip Units 3 and 4 coal-fired generation plant (Colstrip) and in response to SB 1547, PGE filed a tariff request in 2016 with the OPUC and received approval to accelerate recovery of the Company’s investment in Colstrip from 2042 to 2030.
Effective May 9, 2022, PGE’s depreciation rates and associated customer prices changed as approved by the OPUC in the Company’s 2022 General Rate Case (GRC) to reflect further accelerated depreciation of Colstrip from 2030 to December 31, 2025. In order to meet PGE’s regulatory and legislative requirements, the Company continues to evaluate the possibility of exiting ownership in Colstrip. See Note 19, Contingencies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for information regarding legal proceedings related to Colstrip.
Any reduction in generation from Colstrip has the potential to provide additional capacity availability on the Colstrip transmission facilities, which stretch from eastern Montana to near the western end of that state to serve markets in the Pacific Northwest and neighboring states. PGE has an approximate 15% ownership interest in, and capacity on, the Colstrip transmission facilities. See “Investing in a Clean Energy Future” in this Overview for information regarding development in eastern Montana.
Other provisions of SB 1547:
•establish RPS thresholds of 27% by 2025, 35% by 2030, 45% by 2035, and 50% by 2040;
•limit the life of renewable energy credits (RECs) generated from facilities that become operational after 2022 to five years, but continue unlimited lifespan for all existing RECs and allow for the generation of additional unlimited RECs for a period of five years for projects online before December 31, 2022; and
•provide opportunity to pursue recovery of energy storage costs related to renewable energy in the Company’s RAC filings.
For a more comprehensive review of Environmental Matters, see “Environmental Matters” in Item 1.—Business.
Regulatory Matters
PGE focuses on providing reliable, clean power to customers at affordable prices while providing a fair return to investors. To achieve this goal the Company must execute effectively within its regulatory framework and maintain prudent management of key financial, regulatory, and environmental matters that may affect customer prices and investor returns. The following discussion provides detail on such matters.
General Rate Case—In February 2023, PGE filed with the OPUC a GRC based on a 2024 test year (2024 GRC). All items, including NVPC, have been resolved. The OPUC authorized a:
•capital structure of 50% debt and 50% equity;
•return on equity of 9.5%; and
•cost of capital of 6.993%, which reflects updates for actual and forecasted debt costs.
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The OPUC approved an annual revenue requirement increase of $391 million and an average rate base of $6.2 billion. New customer prices, as approved by the OPUC, became effective January 1, 2024.
Key elements of the OPUC’s Orders in the 2024 GRC include:
•resolution of all issues concerning recovery of costs included in the 2024 GRC for the Faraday Resiliency and Repowering Project;
•provision, which will sunset after December 31, 2025, to recover 80% of costs for Reliability Contingency Events (RCE), as defined in the settlement, above amounts forecasted in the AUT without application of an earnings test, and allowance for the remaining 20% to flow through the existing PCAM;
•establishment of a balancing account that will sunset after December 31, 2026, for recovery of routine vegetation management expenses; and
•authorization of a tariff filing, which the Company submitted to the OPUC on January 26, 2024, that proposes for residential and small non-residential customers weather-normalized decoupling that would sunset after December 31, 2025.
Complete details of the 2024 GRC (OPUC Docket UE 416) is available on the OPUC Internet website at www.oregon.gov/puc.
COVID-19 impacts—In March 2020, PGE filed an application with the OPUC for deferral of lost revenue and certain incremental costs, such as bad debt expense, related to COVID-19. PGE’s deferral application was approved by the OPUC in October 2020 with final stipulations for the Term Sheet approved in November 2020.
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, PGE’s deferred balance was $14 million and $22 million, respectively, comprised primarily of bad debt expense in excess of what was collected in customer prices. PGE filed a request for amortization of deferred amounts on December 16, 2022, which reflected a $12 million adjustment primarily related to bad debt write-offs being lower than estimated. On March 21, 2023, Advice No. 22-45 was approved by the OPUC, allowing for amortization of deferred amounts over a two-year period beginning April 1, 2023.
Wildfire mitigation—Under SB 762, enacted in July 2021, PGE encountered incremental costs and investments related to intensifying efforts on its system to mitigate the risk of wildfire and improve resiliency to wildfire damage. These efforts include enhanced tree and brush clearing, hardening equipment, and making emergency plans in close partnership with local, state, and federal land and emergency management agencies to further expand the use of a PSPS, if the need should arise. Pursuant to SB 762, PGE submitted its 2023 risk-based Wildfire Mitigation Plan to the OPUC in December 2022 and it was approved in Order 23-221 on June 26, 2023.
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, PGE’s deferred balance related to wildfire mitigation, net of amortization, was $29 million and $28 million, respectively. The 2023 balance is comprised of:
•Base Rates - The outcome of PGE’s 2022 GRC provided an annual amount of $24 million to be collected in base rates in regard to wildfire mitigation efforts beginning May 9, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, there was $1 million in the balancing account.
•Previously Deferred - Prior to establishing the base rates collection noted above, PGE had deferred incremental costs related to wildfire mitigation and as of December 31, 2023 this balance is $28 million. On July 1, 2022, PGE filed an application for reauthorization of OPUC Docket UM 2019 to defer incremental wildfire mitigation costs that exceed the amount granted in base rates. On May 10, 2023, in Order No. 23-173, the OPUC approved an automatic adjustment clause mechanism to recover wildfire mitigation costs (capital and expense). PGE and certain parties agreed to a stipulation, which was adopted by the OPUC on October 18, 2023, that allows PGE to begin amortizing $27 million comprised of $23 million related to the September 30, 2023 deferred operating expense balance of $31 million and $4 million for capital related revenue requirement.
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Beginning January 1, 2024, PGE will remove collections related to wildfire mitigation costs (for both capital and expense) from base prices and include the forecasted costs within the automatic adjustment clause in a separate tariff to begin April 1, 2024. Differences between actual and forecasted costs will be recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities within the automatic adjustment clause balancing account, which will not be subject to an earnings test.
Declared states of emergency—In September 2021, the OPUC issued an order that approved a pre-authorized deferral of costs associated with declared states of emergency. Qualifying events would include federal or state declared emergencies with impacts on PGE’s service territory. Previously the Company had to file a request for deferred accounting when an event of that nature occurred, and had to seek OPUC approval of such deferred accounting applications to be effective. With this order, PGE would provide notice of an event that qualifies within 30 days of the declared state of emergency and would not need to seek OPUC approval to apply deferred accounting treatment for incremental costs related to the emergency. The OPUC maintains responsibility to review utility requests to amortize deferred amounts in customer prices, including a review of utility prudence in a future proceeding, among other requirements. As of December 31, 2023, PGE had not recorded any costs under this deferral order.
Beginning January 13, 2024, the Company’s service territory encountered a severe winter weather event that included snow, ice, and high winds over several days that caused catastrophic damage to physical assets and resulted in widespread customer power outages. Along with over a dozen mutual assistance crews, PGE repaired damage and restored power to over 500,000 customers throughout the storm and the days that followed.
PGE currently estimates the incremental incurred and future costs to repair damage to PGE’s transmission and distribution systems and restore power to customers could range from $50 million to $60 million, with $35 million to $45 million of that range estimated to represent operating expenses associated with transmission and distribution. As a result of the historic winter storm, Oregon’s Governor declared a state of emergency on January 18, 2024, which will allow PGE to seek recovery of incremental storm expenses through the previously filed emergency deferral. On February 9, 2024, PGE filed a Notice of Deferral with the OPUC, under Docket UM 2190, related to the emergency restoration costs for the January storm and expects to defer a significant portion of these costs as regulatory assets.
Due to the storm and corresponding impact on power markets, PGE has incurred a substantial amount of incremental net variable power costs compared to what was anticipated in the 2024 AUT. PGE believes that a portion of the storm will qualify as a Reliability Contingency Event (RCE) as approved by the OPUC in PGE’s 2024 GRC. Under the RCE mechanism, PGE is allowed to pursue recovery of 80% of costs for RCEs above amounts forecasted in the Company’s AUT, with the remaining 20% flowing through operating expenses and subject to the existing PCAM. Estimates of the total cost for the RCE are still under development, however the Company believes total costs could be in the range of $85 million to $100 million. Full impacts cannot be determined until all settlements and invoices are received for the period to which the RCE applies. PGE expects to defer a significant majority of these costs through its various OPUC approved mechanisms over net variable power costs.
PGE believes it has adequate liquidity to cover the event.
Power costs—Pursuant to the AUT process, PGE annually files an estimate of power costs for the following year. As approved by the OPUC, the 2023 AUT included a final increase in power costs for 2023, and a corresponding increase in annual revenue requirement of $186 million from 2022 levels, which were reflected in customer prices effective January 1, 2023. The 2024 AUT contains a $216 million increase in NVPC that will be recovered in customer prices beginning January 1, 2024. For more information regarding the PCAM, see “Power operations” within this Overview section of Item 7.
Portland Harbor Environmental Remediation Account (PHERA) mechanism—The EPA has listed PGE as one of over one hundred Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) related to the remediation of the Portland Harbor
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Superfund site. As of December 31, 2023, significant uncertainties still remained concerning the precise requirements for clean-up, the assignment of responsibility for clean-up costs, the final selection of a proposed remedy by the EPA, and the method of allocation of costs amongst PRPs. It is probable that PGE will share in a portion of these costs. In a Record of Decision (ROD) issued in 2017, the EPA outlined its selected remediation plan for clean-up of the Portland Harbor site, which had an estimated total cost of $1.7 billion. Stakeholders have raised concerns that EPA’s cost estimates are understated, and PGE estimates undiscounted total remediation costs for Portland Harbor per the ROD could range from $1.9 billion to $3.5 billion. The Company does not currently have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the amount, or range, of its potential costs for investigation or remediation of Portland Harbor. However, the Company may obtain sufficient information, prior to the final determination of allocation percentages among PRPs, to develop a reasonable estimate, or range, of its potential liability that would require recording an estimate, or low end of the range. The Company’s liability related to the cost of remediating Portland Harbor could be material to PGE’s financial position. The impact of such costs to the Company’s results of operations is mitigated by the PHERA mechanism. As approved by the OPUC, the recovery mechanism allows the Company to defer and recover estimated liabilities and incurred legal and technical analysis expenditures related to the Portland Harbor Superfund Site through a combination of third-party proceeds, including, but not limited to, insurance recoveries, and customer prices, as necessary. The mechanism established annual prudency reviews of environmental expenditures and third-party proceeds, and annual expenditures in excess of $6 million, excluding contingent liabilities, are subject to an annual earnings test. PGE’s results of operations may be impacted to the extent such expenditures were to be deemed imprudent by the OPUC or disallowed per the prescribed earnings test. For further information regarding the PHERA mechanism, see “EPA Investigation of Portland Harbor” in Note 19, Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Decoupling—The decoupling mechanism, previously authorized by the OPUC through 2022, was intended to provide for recovery of margin lost as a result of a reduction in electricity sales attributable to energy efficiency, customer-owned generation, and conservation efforts by residential and certain commercial customers. The mechanism provided for collection from (or refund to) customers if weather-adjusted use per customer was less (or more) than that projected in the Company’s most recent GRC.
In the 2022 GRC, parties reached an agreement that eliminated PGE’s decoupling mechanism upon the effective date of new customer prices that resulted in May 2022. Pursuant to the 2022 GRC Order, the OPUC adopted the agreement such that deferrals would not occur after 2022, although amortization of then previously recorded deferrals was to continue as scheduled until collected or refunded in future customer prices. For the year ended December 31, 2022, with OPUC approval, PGE is collecting $5 million in customer prices over a one-year period that began January 1, 2024. In the 2024 GRC filing, the Company included a concept proposal that could lead to resuming decoupling, with certain modifications. As stipulated in the 2024 GRC settlement agreement, PGE made a tariff filing, on January 26, 2024, that proposes weather-normalized decoupling, which would begin April 1, 2024 and sunset after December 31, 2025, for residential and small non-residential customers. The proposal seeks a 3% annual limit on collections or refunds and a balancing account, which would carry forward to subsequent years for refund or recovery, to capture any amounts that exceed the limit.
Deferral of Boardman revenue requirement—In 2020, intervenors filed a deferral application with the OPUC that would have required PGE to defer and refund the revenue requirement associated with the Company’s Boardman coal-fired generating plant (Boardman) then included in customer prices as established in the Company’s 2019 GRC. Customer prices resulting from the 2022 GRC Order no longer included any revenue requirement related to Boardman after new customer prices took effect on May 9, 2022. The OPUC found that the deferral was warranted with amortization subject to an earnings test.
Subsequently, PGE and parties submitted stipulations to the OPUC reflecting agreements that resolved all matters related to this deferral and stated that PGE would refund $6.5 million to customers. On June 5, 2023, the OPUC issued Order 23-195, which approved the stipulations. The refund amount, plus interest, is being amortized into customer prices over a two-year period that began July 1, 2023.
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Renewable recovery framework—As previously authorized by the OPUC, the RAC is a primary method available to recover costs associated with renewable resources. The RAC allows PGE to recover prudently incurred costs of renewable resources through filings made each year, outside of a GRC. Under the RAC, during 2023, the Company submitted a filing for Clearwater that went into service January 5, 2024. PGE estimates the requested tariff, to begin June 1, 2024, will result in an overall $28 million reduction in annual revenues, which results from customer credits. The Company plans to defer the revenue requirement between January 5, 2024 and May 31, 2024 for consideration in a future regulatory proceeding.
In the 2019 GRC Order, the OPUC authorized the inclusion of prudent costs of energy storage projects associated with renewables in future RAC filings, under certain conditions.
Operating Activities
In addition to electricity provided by PGE’s own generation portfolio, to meet retail load requirements and balance energy supply with customer demand, manage risk, and administer its long-term wholesale contracts, the Company purchases and sells electricity in the wholesale market. PGE also performs portfolio management and wholesale market sales services for third parties in the region. The Company participates in the western EIM, which allows, among other things, more renewable energy integration into the grid by better complementing the variable output of renewable resources. The Company also purchases natural gas in the United States and Canada to fuel its generation portfolio and sells excess gas back into the wholesale market.
PGE generates revenues and cash flows primarily from the sale and distribution of electricity to its retail customers in Oregon. The impact of seasonal weather conditions on demand for electricity can cause the Company’s revenues, cash flows, and income from operations to fluctuate from period to period. Historically, PGE had experienced its highest MWa deliveries and retail energy sales during the winter heating season and recorded its current winter peak load in December 2022. Summer peak deliveries have continued to exceed those of the winter months for several years, generally resulting from air conditioning demand and the trend toward a warmer overall climate. During the summer of 2023, demand reached a new all-time high, surpassing the previous mark, which was set in 2021. For further information regarding seasonal fluctuations, see “Seasonality” in the Customers and Revenues section in Item 1.—“Business.” Retail customer price changes and customer usage patterns, which can be affected by the economy, also have an effect on revenues. Wholesale power availability and price, hydro and wind generation, and fuel costs for thermal plants can also affect income from operations. PGE has taken measures to enhance the availability of supply chain-constrained items that are needed to serve new and existing customers, such as advance ordering of critical materials, pre-securing manufacturing capacity with strategic partners, and evaluating availability with established and new suppliers. PGE has also taken measures to help mitigate cost increases through long term agreements, supplier engagement and expanding the supply base.
Customers and demand—The following tables present total energy deliveries and the average number of retail customers by type for 2023 and 2022.
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| Energy deliveries (MWh in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | % Increase/ (Decrease) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail: | ||||||||||||
| Residential | 7,952 | 8,088 | (1.7) | % | ||||||||
| Commercial (PGE sales only) | 6,601 | 6,650 | (0.7) | |||||||||
| Direct Access | 577 | 548 | 5.3 | |||||||||
| Total Commercial | 7,178 | 7,198 | (0.3) | |||||||||
| Industrial (PGE sales only) | 4,578 | 4,167 | 9.9 | |||||||||
| Direct Access | 1,715 | 1,778 | (3.5) | |||||||||
| Total Industrial | 6,293 | 5,945 | 5.9 | |||||||||
| Total (PGE sales only) | 19,131 | 18,905 | 1.2 | |||||||||
| Total Direct Access | 2,292 | 2,326 | (1.5) | |||||||||
| Total retail energy deliveries | 21,423 | 21,231 | 0.9 | % | ||||||||
| Wholesale energy deliveries | 6,950 | 6,000 | 15.8 | |||||||||
| Total energy deliveries | 28,373 | 27,231 | 4.2 | % |
| Average number of retail customers | 2023 | 2022 | % Increase/ (Decrease) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 815,920 | 88 | % | 809,573 | 88 | % | 0.8 | % | |||||||
| Commercial | 112,204 | 12 | 112,127 | 12 | 0.1 | ||||||||||
| Industrial | 196 | — | 192 | — | 2.1 | ||||||||||
| Direct access | 540 | — | 552 | — | (2.2) | ||||||||||
| Total | 928,860 | 100 | % | 922,444 | 100 | % | 0.7 | % |
In 2023, retail energy deliveries increased 0.9% from 2022, with increases in demand from industrial customers outweighing the decreases seen in the residential and commercial classes. The industrial class has experienced an increase in energy deliveries, due primarily to continued growth in the high-tech and digital services sectors. Compared to the prior year, weather had a negative impact on deliveries, as warm weather in the fourth quarter more than offset cooler temperatures early in the year. In 2022, PGE began to see decreases in average residential usage on a weather-adjusted, year over year basis, however expects that the shift that has occurred with respect to hybrid work schedules will have lasting impacts on average usage.
Residential energy deliveries, which are most sensitive to fluctuations in temperatures, were 1.7% lower in 2023 than 2022, due to a 2.5% decrease in average usage per customer, which resulted largely from warmer fourth quarter temperatures, and was partially offset by an 0.8% increase in the average number of customers.
Commercial energy deliveries were fairly stable in 2023 with the prior year, showing a decrease of 0.3%. While COVID-19 related recovery has largely occurred, continued impacts of programmatic energy efficiency and uncertainty in economic conditions have tempered commercial growth in 2023.
Industrial energy deliveries increased 5.9% in 2023 due to continued strength in the high-tech manufacturing and digital service sector. Several large customers experienced continued growth in 2023 and new data center facilities came online.
Total heating degree-days, an indication of electricity use for heating, declined 6% in 2023 from 2022 in total, and was 6% below the 15-year moving average. However, while 2023 began with low temperatures and high seasonal heating demand, that pattern reversed in the second quarter as heating degree-days fell below prior year and seasonal averages. Correspondingly, cooling degree-days, a similar indication of the extent to which customers were
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likely to have used electricity for cooling, exceeded the 15-year average by 50%, although were only 4% above the 2022 total, illustrating that the two most recent summer seasons have been exceedingly warm compared to historical averages. The Company experienced a new record winter peak load in December 2022 of 4,113 MW and a new summer peak in August 2023 of 4,498 MW. The warm temperatures persisted through the balance of the year, with actual temperatures in the fourth quarter, which is normally a high heating demand period, being among the warmest ever recorded.
The following table presents the number of heating and cooling degree-days in 2023 and 2022, along with the current 15-year averages, reflecting the influence that weather had on comparative energy deliveries.
| Heating Degree-Days | Cooling Degree-Days | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 15-Year Average | 2023 | 2022 | 15-Year Average | |||||||||||
| 1st quarter | 1,927 | 1,761 | 1,840 | — | — | — | ||||||||||
| 2nd quarter | 554 | 760 | 628 | 195 | 75 | 101 | ||||||||||
| 3rd quarter | 45 | 6 | 65 | 687 | 745 | 493 | ||||||||||
| 4th quarter | 1,319 | 1,576 | 1,552 | 16 | 45 | 5 | ||||||||||
| Total | 3,845 | 4,103 | 4,085 | 898 | 865 | 599 | ||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) from the 15-year average | (6) | % | — | % | 50 | % | 44 | % |
On a weather-adjusted basis, total retail deliveries increased 1.4 % from 2022. The increase was driven by a 5.9% growth in industrial deliveries, partially offset by a 0.2% decline in commercial energy deliveries and a 0.5% decrease in weather-adjusted deliveries to residential customers, as average use per customer has declined from the highs seen during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company projects that retail energy deliveries for 2024 will be between 2% and 3% above 2023 weather-adjusted levels, reflecting continued growth in industrial deliveries.
ESSs supplied Direct Access customers with energy representing 11% of PGE’s total retail energy deliveries during 2023 and 2022. The maximum retail load allowed to be supplied under the fixed three-year and minimum five-year opt-out programs represent 12% of the Company’s total retail energy deliveries for 2023. With the adoption of the New Large Load Direct Access program in 2020, as much as 17% of the Company’s 2023 energy deliveries could have been supplied by ESSs.
Power operations—PGE utilizes a combination of its own generating resources and wholesale market transactions to meet the energy needs of, and obtain reasonably-priced power for, its retail customers, manage risk, and administer its long-term wholesale contracts. Based on numerous factors, including plant availability, customer demand, river flows, wind conditions, and current wholesale prices, the Company continuously makes economic dispatch decisions in an effort to obtain reasonably-priced power for its retail customers. PGE also purchases wholesale natural gas in the United States and Canada to fuel its generating portfolio and sells excess gas back into the wholesale market. As a result, the amount of power generated and purchased in the wholesale market to meet the Company’s retail load requirement can vary from period to period and impacts NVPC and income from operations.
The following table provides information regarding the performance of the Company’s generation portfolio.
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| Plant availability (1) | Actual energy provided compared to projected levels (2) | Actual energy provided as a percentage of total retail load | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Thermal: | |||||||||||||||
| Natural gas | 85 | % | 86 | % | 99 | % | 81 | % | 54 | % | 41 | % | |||
| Coal (3) | 90 | 89 | 99 | 100 | 11 | 11 | |||||||||
| Wind (4) | 98 | 82 | 88 | 81 | 9 | 9 | |||||||||
| Hydro | 89 | 94 | 69 | 81 | 6 | 5 |
(1)Plant availability represents the percentage of the year plants were available for operations, which is impacted by planned maintenance and forced, or unplanned, outages.
(2)Projected levels of energy are included as part of PGE’s AUT. Such projections establish the power cost component of retail prices for the following calendar year. Any shortfall is generally replaced with power from higher cost sources, while any excess generally displaces power from higher cost sources.
(3)Plant availability reflects Colstrip, which PGE does not operate.
(4)Plant availability includes Wheatridge, which PGE does not operate.
Energy received from PGE-owned and jointly-owned thermal plants in 2023 compared to 2022 increased by 27%. This increase is primarily driven by economic dispatch decisions and to replace shortfalls from hydro and wind resources. Energy expected to be received from thermal resources is projected annually in the AUT based on forecast market prices, variable costs to run the plant, and the constraints of the plant. PGE’s thermal generating plants require varying levels of annual maintenance, which is generally performed during the second quarter of the year.
Total energy received from all hydroelectric sources, both PGE-owned generation and purchased, decreased 21% in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to less favorable hydro conditions in the current period. Energy purchased from mid-Columbia and other regional hydroelectric projects decreased 26% while energy generated by the Company-owned facilities increased 11% in 2023. Energy expected to be received from hydroelectric resources is projected annually in the AUT based on a modified hydro study, which utilizes 80 years of historical stream flow data. For further detail on regional hydro results, see “Purchased power and fuel” in the Results of Operations section in this Item 7.
Energy received from PGE-owned wind resources and under contracts increased 7% in 2023 compared to 2022. While 2023 saw less favorable wind conditions, unplanned plant outages in 2022 that did not reoccur resulted in the overall net increase year over year. Energy expected to be received from wind generating resources is projected annually in the AUT based on historical generation. Wind generation forecasts are developed using a 5-year rolling average of historical wind levels or forecast studies when historical data is not available.
Under the PCAM, PGE may share with customers a portion of cost variances associated with NVPC. Customer prices can be adjusted annually to absorb a portion of the difference between the forecasted NVPC included in customer prices (baseline NVPC) and actual NVPC for the year, if such differences exceed a prescribed “deadband” limit, which ranges from $15 million below to $30 million above baseline NVPC. To the extent actual NVPC, subject to certain adjustments, is outside the deadband range, the PCAM provides for 90% of the excess variance to be collected from, or refunded to, customers. Pursuant to a regulated earnings test, a refund will occur only to the extent that it results in PGE’s actual regulated return on equity (ROE) for the given year being no less than 1% above the Company’s latest authorized ROE, while a collection will occur only to the extent that it results in PGE’s actual regulated ROE for that year being no greater than 1% below the Company’s authorized ROE. The following is a summary of the results of the Company’s PCAM as calculated for regulatory purposes for 2023 and 2022:
•For 2023, actual NVPC was above baseline NVPC by $5 million, which was within the established deadband range. Accordingly, no estimated collection from customers was recorded as of December 31, 2023. A final determination regarding the 2023 PCAM results will be made by the OPUC through a public filing and review in 2024.
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•For 2022, actual NVPC was above baseline NVPC by $23 million, which was within the established deadband range. Accordingly, no estimated collection from customers was recorded as of December 31, 2022.
Results of Operations
The following tables provide financial and operational information to be considered in conjunction with management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations.
The results of operations are as follows for the years presented (dollars in millions):
| Years Ended December 31, | % Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Amount | Amount | |||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 2,923 | $ | 2,647 | 10 | % | ||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||
| Purchased power and fuel | 1,190 | 988 | 20 | |||||||
| Generation, transmission and distribution | 374 | 348 | 7 | |||||||
| Administrative and other | 341 | 340 | — | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 458 | 417 | 10 | |||||||
| Taxes other than income taxes | 164 | 157 | 4 | |||||||
| Total operating expenses | 2,527 | 2,250 | 12 | |||||||
| Income from operations | 396 | 397 | — | |||||||
| Interest expense, net * | 173 | 156 | 11 | |||||||
| Other income: | ||||||||||
| Allowance for equity funds used during construction | 19 | 14 | 36 | |||||||
| Miscellaneous income, net | 31 | 17 | 82 | |||||||
| Other income, net | 50 | 31 | 61 | |||||||
| Income before income taxes | 273 | 272 | — | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 45 | 39 | 15 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 228 | $ | 233 | (2) | % |
* Includes an allowance for borrowed funds used during construction of $13 million in 2023 and $7 million in 2022.
2023 Compared to 2022
Net income for 2023 decreased $5 million from 2022. In 2023, higher Purchased power and fuel costs more than offset increases in Retail revenues authorized by the OPUC in the AUT in anticipation of higher NVPC. Retail revenues also increased due to an overall increase in deliveries, although that demand impact was more than offset by the average price result of the relative mix of deliveries among customer classes. Warm temperatures in the latter portion of 2023 suppressed demand from residential customers while the industrial class continued to show strength. The impact of higher natural gas and electricity prices coupled with increased customer demand added upward pressure on Purchased power and fuel expense. Wholesale sales increased, driven largely by economic dispatch decisions and portfolio positions, which contributed to reducing NVPC. Operating expenses reflect the additional charges that resulted from the amortization of prior deferrals, vegetation management and wildfire mitigation efforts, and increased run hours at generation facilities in 2023.The increase in Depreciation and amortization reflect higher utility plant balances and charges resulting from prior regulatory deferrals. Interest expense rose primarily due to higher long-term debt and outstanding commercial paper balances. Other income was up due to favorable market changes on the non-qualified benefit trust, higher AFUDC equity income driven by higher construction work-in-progress balances in 2023, the recognition of previously deferred equity interest income
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in conjunction with amortization of regulatory deferrals that began in 2023, and higher other regulatory interest income, all of which was partially offset by a prior year settlement gain on a benefit plan.
Total revenues consist of the following for the years presented (in millions):
| 2023 | 2022 | % Increase (Decrease) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail: | ||||||||||
| Residential | $ | 1,263 | $ | 1,158 | 9 | % | ||||
| Commercial | 800 | 723 | 11 | |||||||
| Industrial | 349 | 289 | 21 | |||||||
| Subtotal | 2,412 | 2,170 | 11 | |||||||
| Direct Access: | ||||||||||
| Commercial | 8 | 12 | (33) | |||||||
| Industrial | 19 | 23 | (17) | |||||||
| Subtotal | 27 | 35 | (23) | |||||||
| Subtotal Retail | 2,439 | 2,205 | 11 | |||||||
| Alternative revenue programs, net of amortization | 11 | 11 | — | |||||||
| Other accrued (deferred) revenues, net | (3) | 7 | (143) | |||||||
| Total retail revenues | 2,447 | 2,223 | 10 | |||||||
| Wholesale revenues | 418 | 363 | 15 | |||||||
| Other operating revenues | 58 | 61 | (5) | |||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 2,923 | $ | 2,647 | 10 | % |
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Total retail revenues—The following items contributed to the increase in Total retail revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | $ | 2,223 |
|---|---|---|
| Change in prices as a result of the AUT, approved by the OPUC (partially offset in Purchased power and fuel) | 186 | |
| Recovery of deferrals for 2020 Labor Day wildfire and 2021 ice storm | 26 | |
| Retail energy deliveries driven by changes in customer load | 18 | |
| PCAM collection, offset in Purchased power and fuel expense | 14 | |
| Wildfire mitigation revenue (offset in Generation, transmission and distribution) | 12 | |
| Colstrip depreciation life adjustment (offset in Depreciation and amortization expense) | 9 | |
| Boardman settlement refund, net of amortization | (5) | |
| Average price of energy deliveries due primarily to the relative mix of deliveries among customer classes | (44) | |
| Combination of various supplemental tariffs and adjustments | 8 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | 2,447 | |
| Change in Total retail revenues | $ | 224 |
Wholesale revenues result from sales of electricity to utilities and power marketers made in the Company’s efforts to meet the needs of, and secure reasonably priced power for, its retail customers, manage risk, and administer its current long-term wholesale contracts. Such sales can vary significantly from year to year as a result of economic conditions, power and fuel prices, hydro and wind availability, and customer demand.
In 2023, a $55 million, or 15%, increase from 2022 in wholesale revenues occurred as sales volumes increased 16%, which resulted in a $57 million increase. Partly offsetting that increase was a $2 million decrease in average prices received when the Company sold power into the wholesale market. Elevated sales prices continued during 2023 and have resulted from several factors, including reduced hydro generation in the region, the economic recovery, strong demand, and ongoing capacity limitations in the region.
Other operating revenues decreased $3 million, or 5%, in 2023 from 2022, primarily as a result of market conditions in 2022 that allowed the Company to sell natural gas in excess of amounts needed for the Company’s generation portfolio back into the wholesale market at gains that have exceeded those experienced during 2023.
Purchased power and fuel expense includes the cost of power purchased and fuel used to generate electricity to meet PGE’s retail load requirements, as well as the cost of settled electric and natural gas financial contracts.
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The following items contributed to the increase in Purchased power and fuel for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 (dollars in millions, except for average variable power cost per MWh):
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | $ | 988 |
|---|---|---|
| Average variable power cost per MWh | 278 | |
| Total system load | (91) | |
| 2021 PCAM deferral amortization | 15 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | 1,190 | |
| Change in Purchased power and fuel | $ | 202 |
| Average variable power cost per MWh: | ||
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | $ | 37.71 |
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | $ | 43.26 |
| Total system load (MWh in thousands): | ||
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | 26,215 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | 27,169 |
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the $278 million increase related to the change in average variable power cost per MWh was primarily driven by a 17% increase in the average cost for purchased power, and a 77% increase in the average cost of power from the Company’s own generation, driven primarily by the settlement of physical and financial gas contracts. The $91 million decrease related to total system load was primarily due to the change in mix of sources of energy with purchased power declining 16% resulting in a $131 million decrease, offset by a 23% increase in energy obtained from PGE’s own generation resulting in a $40 million increase.
PGE’s sources of energy, total system load, and retail load requirement for the years presented are as follows:
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Sources of energy (MWh in thousands): | |||||||||||
| Generation: | |||||||||||
| Thermal: | |||||||||||
| Natural gas | 10,981 | 40 | % | 8,242 | 31 | % | |||||
| Coal | 2,214 | 8 | 2,186 | 8 | |||||||
| Total thermal | 13,195 | 48 | 10,428 | 39 | |||||||
| Hydro | 1,144 | 4 | 1,027 | 4 | |||||||
| Wind | 1,918 | 7 | 1,765 | 7 | |||||||
| Total generation | 16,257 | 59 | 13,220 | 50 | |||||||
| Purchased power: | |||||||||||
| Hydro | 4,646 | 17 | 6,297 | 24 | |||||||
| Wind | 846 | 3 | 824 | 3 | |||||||
| Solar | 1,055 | 4 | 723 | 3 | |||||||
| Natural Gas | 184 | 1 | 33 | — | |||||||
| Waste, Wood and Landfill Gas | 163 | 1 | 168 | 1 | |||||||
| Source not specified | 4,018 | 15 | 4,961 | 19 | |||||||
| Total purchased power | 10,912 | 41 | 13,006 | 50 | |||||||
| Total system load | 27,169 | 100 | % | 26,226 | 100 | % | |||||
| Less: wholesale sales | (6,950) | (6,000) | |||||||||
| Retail load requirement | 20,219 | 20,226 |
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Purchased power in the table above includes power received from qualifying facilities under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) as follows:
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
| Sources of energy (MWhs in thousands): | ||||
| PURPA purchased power: | ||||
| Hydro | 28 | 36 | ||
| Wind | 25 | 25 | ||
| Solar | 592 | 588 | ||
| Waste, Wood, Landfill Gas, and Other | 114 | 101 | ||
| Total | 759 | 750 |
The following table presents the forecasted April-to-September 2024 and actual April-to-September 2023 and 2022 runoff at particular points of major rivers relevant to PGE’s hydro resources:
| Runoff as a Percent of Normal* | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | 2024Forecast | 2023Actual | 2022Actual | |||||
| Columbia River at The Dalles, Oregon | 81 | % | 83 | % | 107 | % | ||
| Mid-Columbia River at Grand Coulee, Washington | 79 | 79 | 110 | |||||
| Clackamas River at Estacada, Oregon | 92 | 101 | 139 | |||||
| Deschutes River at Moody, Oregon | 99 | 98 | 92 |
* Volumetric water supply forecasts and historical averages for the Pacific Northwest region are prepared by the Northwest River Forecast Center, with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and other cooperating agencies.
Actual NVPC, which consists of Purchased power and fuel expense net of Wholesale revenues, increased $147 million in 2023 compared with 2022. The increase attributable to changes in Purchased power and fuel expense was the result of a 15% increase in the average variable power cost per MWh and a 4% increase in total system load. The increase in actual NVPC was also a result of the 1% lower average price per MWh sold and a 16% increase in the volume of wholesale energy deliveries.
The following items contributed to the increase in Actual NVPC for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | $ | 626 |
|---|---|---|
| Purchased power and fuel expense | 187 | |
| Wholesale revenues | (55) | |
| 2021 PCAM deferral amortization | 15 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | 773 | |
| Change in NVPC | $ | 147 |
For further information regarding NVPC in relation to the PCAM, see “Power operations” in the Overview section of this Item 7.
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Generation, transmission and distribution expense increased $26 million or 7% for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, with the change attributed largely to the following items (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | $ | 348 |
|---|---|---|
| Amortizations of previously deferred 2020 wildfire and 2021 ice storm costs | 18 | |
| Higher vegetation management, inspection, wildfire mitigation, and distribution maintenance expenses | 15 | |
| Increase in generation facility maintenance expenses driven by major maintenance activities and increased run hours | 13 | |
| Lower service restoration and storm response costs | (7) | |
| Release of deferred amounts pursuant to earnings test in 2022 | (16) | |
| Miscellaneous expenses | 3 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | 374 | |
| Change in Generation, transmission and distribution | $ | 26 |
Administrative and other expense increased $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 due largely to the following items (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | $ | 340 |
|---|---|---|
| Amortization of COVID-19 bad debt expense deferral | 9 | |
| Regulatory program amortization | 3 | |
| Lower employee compensation and benefits expenses | (4) | |
| Lower professional service expenses | (8) | |
| Miscellaneous expenses | 1 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | 341 | |
| Change in Administrative and other | $ | 1 |
PGE commenced amortization of previously deferred COVID-19 related bad debt expenses on April 1, 2023. PGE amortized $9 million of COVID-19 related bad debt expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. See Note 7, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements,” for more information.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $41 million or 10% for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to year ended December 31, 2022, with the change largely resulting from the following items (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | $ | 417 |
|---|---|---|
| Capital additions | 20 | |
| Activity related to regulatory programs (offset elsewhere on the income statement) | 13 | |
| Accelerated depreciation of the Colstrip facility as approved by the OPUC’s 2022 GRC Order | 9 | |
| Miscellaneous expenses | (1) | |
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | 458 | |
| Change in Depreciation and amortization | $ | 41 |
Taxes other than income taxes expense increased $7 million, or 4%, in 2023 compared with 2022, primarily due to higher franchise fees and property tax expenses.
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Interest expense increased $17 million, or 11%, in 2023 compared with 2022 driven by higher average balances of outstanding debt, partially offset by higher AFUDC debt income driven by higher construction work-in-progress balances in 2023.
Other income, net increased $19 million, or 61%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to $11 million in favorable market changes on the non-qualified benefit trust, $11 million in higher regulatory interest income, and $6 million higher AFUDC equity income driven by higher construction work-in-progress balances in 2023.
The increase was partially offset by the execution of a buyout of the Non-represented Retiree Medical Plan in 2022, resulting in a $11 million settlement gain. For more information, see Note 11, Employee Benefits, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplemental Data.”
Income tax expense increased $6 million, or 15%, in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily driven by lower research and development tax credit benefits. The increase was partially offset by lower expenses from flow-through items.
2022 Compared to 2021
For a comparison of the Company’s results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 to the year ended December 31, 2021, see Item 7.—” Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 16, 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Discussions, forward-looking statements, and projections in this section, and similar statements in other parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are subject to PGE’s assumptions regarding the availability and cost of capital. See “Capital and credit market conditions could adversely affect the Company’s access to capital, cost of capital, and ability to execute its strategic plan.” in Item 1A.—“Risk Factors,” for further information.
Capital Requirements
The following table presents actual capital expenditures and debt maturities for 2023 and projected capital expenditures and future debt maturities for 2024 through 2028 (in millions, excluding AFUDC):
| Years Ending December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | |||||||||||||||||
| Ongoing capital expenditures (1) | $ | 792 | $ | 895 | $ | 865 | $ | 895 | $ | 890 | $ | 920 | ||||||||||
| Transmission | 144 | 170 | 180 | 255 | 265 | 435 | ||||||||||||||||
| Clearwater Wind Development | $ | 405 | $ | 10 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
| BESS projects | $ | 121 | $ | 235 | $ | 155 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Total capital expenditures (2) | $ | 1,462 | $ | 1,310 | $ | 1,200 | $ | 1,150 | $ | 1,155 | $ | 1,355 | ||||||||||
| Long-term debt maturities | $ | 260 | $ | 80 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 160 | $ | 100 |
(1) Consists primarily of upgrades to, and replacement of, generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, as well as new customer connects. Includes accrued capital additions, preliminary engineering, removal costs, and certain intangible working capital assets.
(2) Amounts subsequent to 2023 are estimates as of the date of this report and may be affected by economic conditions, including but not limited to, impacts of inflation, changes to the cost of materials and labor, and financing costs.
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During 2023, PGE funded its capital expenditures through a combination of cash from operations in the amount of $420 million, proceeds from the issuance of FMBs in the total amount of $600 million, and net proceeds from the issuance of shares pursuant to the equity forward sale agreement (EFSA) of $485 million. Capital expenditures in 2024 are expected to be approximately $1.3 billion. PGE plans to fund the 2024 capital expenditures with cash from operations during 2024, which is expected to range from $700 million to $800 million, the issuance of debt securities of up to $730 million, issuances of shares pursuant to the at the market offering program, and the issuance of commercial paper, as needed. The actual timing and amount of any other issuances of debt or commercial paper will be dependent upon the timing and amount of capital expenditures. For a discussion concerning PGE’s ability to fund its future capital requirements, see “Debt and Equity Financings” in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this Item 7.
Liquidity
PGE’s access to short-term debt markets, including revolving credit from banks, helps provide necessary liquidity to support the Company’s current operating activities, including the purchase of power and fuel. Long-term capital requirements are driven largely by capital expenditures for distribution, transmission, and generation facilities to support both new and existing customers, information technology systems, and debt refinancing activities. PGE’s liquidity and capital requirements can also be significantly affected by other working capital needs, including margin deposit requirements related to wholesale market activities, which can vary depending upon the Company’s forward positions and the corresponding price curves.
The following summarizes PGE’s cash flows for the periods presented (in millions):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | $ | 165 | $ | 52 | ||
| Net cash provided by (used in): | ||||||
| Operating activities | 420 | 674 | ||||
| Investing activities | (1,358) | (758) | ||||
| Financing activities | 778 | 197 | ||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | (160) | 113 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | $ | 5 | $ | 165 |
2023 Compared to 2022
Cash Flows from Operating Activities—Cash flows from operating activities are generally determined by the amount and timing of cash received from customers and payments made to vendors, as well as the nature and amount of non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, and pension and other postretirement benefit costs included in net income during a given period. The following items contributed to the net change in cash flows from operations for 2023 compared to 2022 (dollars in millions):
| Increase/ (Decrease) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Net income | $ | (5) |
| Accounts receivable and unbilled revenue | 37 | |
| Margin deposit activity | (113) | |
| Accounts payable | (323) | |
| Regulatory deferral activity | 85 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | 41 | |
| Proceeds from tax credit sales | 24 | |
| Net change in cash flow from operations | $ | (254) |
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For the year ended December 31, 2023, operating cash flows were significantly impacted by changes in working capital from December 31, 2022, primarily related to Accounts payable for purchased power and fuel costs and related margin deposits activity. In December 2022, PGE experienced elevated natural gas and power prices due to volatility in the wholesale markets, which led to increased cash used in operating activities for 2023 as cash payments for physical commodity purchases and related margin activity were made.
For additional information regarding changes in Net income, see the Results of Operations section in this Item 7.
Cash provided by operations includes the recovery in customer prices of non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization. The Company estimates that such charges in 2024 will range from $475 million to $525 million. Combined with all other sources, cash provided by operations in 2024 is estimated to range from $700 million to $800 million.
Cash provided by operations includes the recovery in customer prices of cash charges related to various long-term contractual obligations such as interest on long-term debt and purchased power and fuel contracts. PGE’s anticipated employer contributions for its defined benefit pension plan and other postretirement plans is $29 million in 2024, $24 million in 2025, 2026, and in 2027, and $23 million in 2028. Contributions are expected to be covered by cash provided by operations. For additional information regarding contractual obligations, see Note 16, Commitments and Guarantees, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Cash Flows from Investing Activities—Cash flows used in investing activities consist primarily of capital expenditures related to new construction and improvements to PGE’s generation, transmission, and distribution facilities. The $600 million increase in net cash used in investing activities in 2023 compared with 2022 is primarily due to capital expenditures related to new construction and improvements to PGE’s distribution, transmission, and generation facilities, which increased $592 million due primarily to the Clearwater Wind and BESS projects, as well as an $11 million increase related to proceeds from the sale of property in 2022 that did not recur.
The Company plans for $1.3 billion of capital expenditures in 2024 related to upgrades to and replacement of generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure as well as costs related to BESS projects. PGE plans to fund the 2024 capital expenditures with cash from operations during 2024, as discussed above, as well as with the issuance of debt, issuances of shares pursuant to the at the market offering program, and short-term debt as necessary. For additional information, see “Capital Requirements” and “Debt and Equity Financings” in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this Item 7.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities—Financing activities provide supplemental cash for both day-to-day operations and capital requirements as needed. During 2023, cash provided by financing activities was primarily the result of $485 million in proceeds from the issuance of common stock pursuant to the EFSA, funding of $600 million in FMBs, and $146 million due to the issuance of commercial paper. This was partially offset by a $260 million repayment of a term loan and payment of dividends in the amount of $179 million.
2022 Compared to 2021
For a comparison of liquidity and capital resources and the Company’s cash flow activities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, see Item 7.—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on February 16, 2023.
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Credit Ratings and Debt Covenants
PGE’s secured and unsecured debt is rated investment grade by Moody’s and S&P, with current credit ratings and outlook as follows:
| Moody’s | S&P | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Mortgage Bonds | A1 | A | |
| Senior unsecured debt | A3 | BBB+ | |
| Commercial paper | P-2 | A-2 | |
| Outlook | Stable | Stable |
In the event Moody’s and/or S&P reduce their credit rating on PGE’s unsecured debt below investment grade, the Company could be subject to higher fees on its revolving credit facility. The Company could also be subject to requests by certain of its wholesale, commodity, and transmission counterparties to post additional performance assurance collateral in connection with its price risk management activities. The performance assurance collateral can be in the form of cash deposits or letters of credit, depending on the terms of the underlying agreements, and are based on the contract terms and commodity prices and can vary from period to period. Cash deposits provided as collateral are classified as Margin deposits in PGE’s consolidated balance sheets, while any letters of credit issued are not reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
As of December 31, 2023, PGE had posted $132 million of collateral with these counterparties, consisting of $92 million in cash and $40 million in bank letters of credit. Based on the Company’s energy portfolio, estimates of energy market prices, and the level of collateral outstanding as of December 31, 2023, the amount of additional collateral that could be requested upon a single agency downgrade to below investment grade is $76 million and decreases to $60 million by December 31, 2024 and $10 million by December 31, 2025. The amount of additional collateral that could be requested upon a dual agency downgrade to below investment grade as of December 31, 2023 is $204 million and decreases to $188 million by December 31, 2024 and $82 million by December 31, 2025.
PGE’s financing arrangements do not contain ratings triggers that would result in the acceleration of required interest and principal payments in the event of a ratings downgrade. However, the cost of borrowing and issuing letters of credit under the credit facilities would increase.
The Indenture securing PGE’s outstanding FMBs constitutes a direct first mortgage lien on substantially all regulated utility property, other than expressly excepted property. Interest is payable semi-annually on FMBs. The issuance of FMBs requires that PGE meet earnings coverage and security provisions set forth in the Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust securing the bonds. PGE estimates that on December 31, 2023, under the most restrictive issuance test in the Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust, the Company could have issued up to $602 million of additional FMBs. Any issuances of FMBs would be subject to market conditions and amounts could be further limited by regulatory authorizations or by covenants and tests contained in other financing agreements. PGE also has the ability to release property from the lien of the Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust under certain circumstances, including bond credits, deposits of cash, or certain sales, exchanges, or other dispositions of property.
PGE’s credit facilities contain customary covenants and credit provisions, including a requirement that limits consolidated indebtedness, as defined in the credit agreements, to 65.0% of total capitalization (debt to total capital ratio). As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s debt to total capital ratio, as calculated under the credit agreements, was 56.2%.
Debt and Equity Financings
PGE’s ability to secure sufficient short- and long-term capital at a reasonable cost is determined by its financial performance and outlook, credit ratings, capital expenditure requirements, alternatives available to investors, market conditions, and other factors, such as the volatility in the capital markets in response to inflationary pressures and
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interest rate increases by the federal reserve. Management believes that the availability of its revolving credit facility, the expected ability to issue short- and long-term debt and equity securities, and cash expected to be generated from operations provide sufficient cash flow and liquidity to meet the Company’s anticipated capital and operating requirements for the foreseeable future.
Short-term Debt—Pursuant to an order issued by the FERC on January 18, 2024, PGE has authorization to issue short-term debt up to a total of $900 million through February 6, 2026. The following table shows available liquidity as of December 31, 2023 (in millions):
| December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Outstanding | Available | ||||||||
| Revolving credit facility (1) | $ | 750 | $ | — | $ | 750 | ||||
| Letters of credit (2) | 320 | 106 | 214 | |||||||
| Total credit | $ | 1,070 | $ | 106 | 964 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 5 | |||||||||
| Total liquidity | $ | 969 |
(1)Scheduled to expire September 2028. PGE has elected to limit its borrowings under the revolving credit facility to cover any potential need to repay outstanding commercial paper. As of December 31, 2023, PGE had $146 million of commercial paper outstanding, therefore, the elected available credit capacity is $604 million.
(2)PGE has four letter of credit facilities under which the Company can request letters of credit for an original term not to exceed one year.
As of December 31, 2023, PGE had a $750 million unsecured revolving credit facility scheduled to expire in September 2028. The facility allows for unlimited extension requests, provided that lenders with a pro-rata share of more than 50% of the facility approve the extension request. The revolving credit facility supplements operating cash flows and provides a primary source of liquidity. In addition, the credit facility offers the potential for adjustments to interest rate margins and fees based on PGE’s achievement of certain annual sustainability-linked metrics related to its non-emitting generation capacity and the percentage of management comprised of women and employees who identify as black, indigenous, and people of color. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the revolving credit facility may be used as backup for commercial paper borrowings, to permit the issuance of standby letters of credit, and to provide cash for general corporate purposes. PGE may borrow for one, three, or six months at a fixed interest rate established at the time of the borrowing, or at a variable interest rate for any period up to the then remaining term of the applicable credit facility.
The Company has a commercial paper program under which it may issue commercial paper for terms of up to 270 days, limited to the unused amount of credit under the revolving credit facility. The Company has elected to limit its borrowings under the revolving credit facility to cover any potential need to repay commercial paper that may be outstanding at the time. As of December 31, 2023, PGE had $146 million of commercial paper outstanding.
PGE typically classifies borrowings under the revolving credit facility and outstanding commercial paper as Short-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets.
Under the revolving credit facility, as of December 31, 2023, PGE had no borrowings, and no letters of credit issued. As a result, as of December 31, 2023, the aggregate unused available credit capacity under the revolving credit facility was $750 million, however, as PGE has elected to limit it’s borrowings to cover any potential need to repay outstanding commercial paper, the elected available credit capacity is $604 million.
In addition, PGE has four letter of credit facilities under which the Company has total capacity of $320 million. The issuance of such letters of credit is subject to the approval of the issuing institution. Under these facilities, which are considered off-balance sheet arrangements, letters of credit for a total of $106 million were outstanding as of December 31, 2023. PGE works to optimize its use of its letter of credit facility to manage energy trading margin.
Long-term Debt—During 2023, PGE issued and funded a total of $600 million of FMBs.
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In August 2023, PGE entered into a Bond Purchase Agreement related to the sale of $500 million in FMBs. The Bonds consist of:
•a series, due in 2030, in the amount of $50 million that bear interest at an annual rate of 5.44%;
•a series, due in 2033, in the amount of $150 million that bear interest at an annual rate of 5.48%;
•a series, due in 2038, in the amount of $100 million that bear interest at an annual rate of 5.68%;
•a series due in 2053, in the amount of $100 million that bear interest at an annual rate of 5.78%; and
•a series due in 2059, in the amount of $100 million that bear interest at an annual rate of 5.83%.
As of December 31, 2023, all series, totaling $500 million, were issued and funded in full.
On November 30, 2022, PGE entered into a Bond Purchase Agreement related to the sale of $200 million in First Mortgage Bonds (FMBs), $100 million of which was issued under PGE’s Green Financing Framework. The first half of FMBs funded in 2022 and the remaining $100 million funded in full on January 13, 2023.
On October 21, 2022, PGE obtained a 366-day term loan from lenders in the aggregate principal of $260 million under a 366-Day Bridge Credit Agreement. The term loan bore interest for the relevant interest period at the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus Term SOFR Adjustment Rate of 10 basis points and Applicable Margin of 87.5 basis points. The interest rate was subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the loan. On March 1, 2023, this term loan was repaid in full.
As of December 31, 2023, total long-term debt outstanding, net of $14 million of unamortized debt expense, was $3,985 million, of which $80 million is scheduled to mature in 2024.
Equity—On April 28, 2023, PGE entered into an equity distribution agreement under which it could sell up to $300 million of its common stock through at the market offering programs. As of December 31, 2023, pursuant to the terms of the equity distribution agreement, PGE entered into separate forward sale agreements with forward counterparties and under such agreements, the Company could have physically settled by delivering 1,714,971 shares to the counterparty in exchange for cash of $78 million. Any proceeds from the issuances of common stock will be used for general corporate purposes and investments in renewables and non-emitting dispatchable capacity.
In 2022, PGE entered into an EFSA in connection with the public offering of 10,100,000 shares of its common stock. Effective October 28, 2022, pursuant to the terms of the EFSA, the forward counterparties borrowed 11,615,000 shares of PGE’s common stock with an initial value of $499 million, including 1,515,000 shares in connection with the underwriters’ exercise of their option to purchase additional shares, from third parties in the open market and sold the shares to a group of underwriters. PGE receives proceeds from the sale of the common stock when the EFSA is physically settled. In March 2023, the Company issued 7,178,016 shares pursuant to the EFSA and received net proceeds of $300 million. In June 2023, the Company issued 2,212,610 shares pursuant to the EFSA and received net proceeds of $92 million. On July 12, 2023, the Company issued 2,224,374 shares pursuant to the EFSA, settling the equity forward transaction, and received net proceeds of $92 million.
For additional information on the EFSA, see Note 13, Equity-based Plans, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Capital Structure—PGE’s financial objectives include maintaining a common equity ratio (common equity to total consolidated capitalization, including current debt maturities and excluding lease obligations) of approximately 50% over time. Achievement of this objective helps the Company maintain investment grade debt ratings and provides access to long-term capital at favorable interest rates. The Company’s common equity ratio was 44.6% and 43.3% as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires that management apply accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the statements. The following accounting policies represent those that management believes are particularly important to the consolidated financial statements and that require the use of estimates, assumptions, and judgments to determine matters that are inherently uncertain.
Regulatory Accounting
As a rate-regulated enterprise, PGE applies regulatory accounting, which includes the recognition of regulatory assets and liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Regulatory assets represent probable future revenue associated with certain incurred costs that are expected to be recovered from customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory liabilities represent probable future reductions in revenues associated with amounts that are expected to be credited or refunded to customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory accounting is appropriate as long as prices are established or subject to approval by independent third-party regulators, prices are designed to recover the specific enterprise’s cost-of-service, and, in view of demand for service, it is reasonable to assume that prices set at levels that will recover costs can be charged to and collected from customers. Amortization of regulatory assets and liabilities is reflected in the statement of income over the period in which they are included in customer prices.
If future recovery of regulatory assets is not probable, PGE would expense such items in the period such determination is made. Further, if PGE determines that all or a portion of its utility operations no longer meet the criteria for continued application of regulatory accounting, the Company would be required to write off those regulatory assets and liabilities related to operations that no longer meet requirements for regulatory accounting. Discontinued application of regulatory accounting would have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
For additional information on PGE’s regulatory assets and liabilities, see “Regulatory Matters” in the Overview section in this Item 7., and Note 7, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Asset Retirement Obligations
PGE recognizes AROs for legal obligations related to dismantlement and restoration costs associated with the future retirement of tangible long-lived assets. Upon initial recognition of AROs that are measurable, the probability-weighted future cash flows for the associated retirement costs, discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate, are recognized as both a liability and as an increase in the capitalized carrying amount of the related long-lived assets. Due to the long lead time involved, a market-risk premium cannot be determined for inclusion in future cash flows. In estimating the liability, management must utilize significant judgment and assumptions in determining whether a legal obligation exists to remove assets. Other estimates may be related to lease provisions, ownership agreements, licensing issues, cost estimates, inflation, and certain legal requirements. Estimates for ARO liabilities are generally based on site-specific studies and are periodically subject to updates and changes that may arise over time.
Capitalized asset retirement costs related to electric utility plant are depreciated over the estimated life of the related asset and included in Depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of income. For revisions to ARO liabilities in which the related asset is no longer in service, the corresponding offset is recorded as a Regulatory asset on the consolidated balance sheets, except for those AROs related to non-utility assets which is charged to Depreciation and amortization on the consolidated statements of income. Accretion of the ARO liability is classified as Depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of income. Accumulated asset retirement removal costs that do not qualify as AROs have been reclassified from accumulated depreciation to regulatory liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
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As a co-owner of Colstrip, PGE has provided surety bonds, which are considered off-balance sheet arrangements, of $21 million as of December 31, 2023 on behalf of the operator to ensure the operation and maintenance of remedial and closure actions are carried out related to the Administrative Order on Consent Regarding Impacts Related to Wastewater Facilities Comprising the Closed-Loop System at Colstrip Steam Electric Station, Colstrip Montana (the AOC) as required by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. It is possible that each co-owner of Colstrip will be required, at some future point, to post additional financial assurance to support further performance by the operator of closure and remediation actions under the AOC.
For additional information on AROs, see Note 8, Asset Retirement Obligations, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Contingencies
PGE has various unresolved legal and regulatory matters about which there is inherent uncertainty, with the ultimate outcome contingent upon several factors. Such contingencies are evaluated using the best information available. A loss contingency is accrued, and disclosed if material, when it is probable that an asset has been impaired, or a liability incurred, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. If a range of probable loss is established, the minimum amount in the range is accrued, unless some other amount within the range appears to be a better estimate. If the probable loss cannot be reasonably estimated, no accrual is recorded, but the loss contingency and the reasons to the effect that it cannot be reasonably estimated are disclosed. A loss contingency will also be disclosed when it is reasonably possible that a liability has been incurred if the estimate or range of potential loss is material. Established accruals reflect management’s assessment of inherent risks, credit worthiness, and complexities involved in the process. There can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of any particular contingency.
For additional information on contingencies, see Note 19, Contingencies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000784977-23-000005.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this report includes statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to expectations, beliefs, plans, assumptions and objectives concerning future results of operations, business prospects, loads, outcome of litigation and regulatory proceedings, capital expenditures, market conditions, future events or performance, and other matters. Words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “will likely result,” “will continue,” “should,” or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed. PGE’s expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis including, but not limited to, management’s examination of historical operating trends and data contained either in internal records or available from third parties, but there can be no assurance that PGE’s expectations, beliefs, or projections will be achieved or accomplished.
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In addition to any assumptions and other factors and matters referred to specifically in connection with forward-looking statements, factors that could cause actual results or outcomes for PGE to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements include:
•governmental policies, legislative action, and regulatory audits, investigations and actions, including those of the FERC, the OPUC, the SEC, and the Division of Enforcement of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) with respect to allowed rates of return, financings, electricity pricing and price structures, acquisition and disposal of facilities and other assets, construction and operation of plant facilities, transmission of electricity, recovery of power costs, operating expenses, deferrals, timely recovery of costs, and capital investments, energy trading activities, and current or prospective wholesale and retail competition;
•economic conditions that result in decreased demand for electricity, reduced revenue from sales of excess energy during periods of low wholesale market prices, impaired financial stability of vendors and service providers and elevated levels of uncollectible customer accounts;
•inflation and interest rates;
•changing customer expectations and choices that may reduce customer demand for its services may impact PGE’s ability to make and recover its investments through rates and earn its authorized return on equity, including the impact of growing distributed and renewable generation resources, changing customer demand for enhanced electric services, and an increasing risk that customers procure electricity from registered ESSs or the adoption of community choice aggregation;
•the timing or outcome of legal and regulatory proceedings and issues including, but not limited to, the matters described in Regulatory Matters of the “Overview” in this Item 7. and Note 19, Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.— “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K;
•natural or human-caused disasters and other risks, including, but not limited to, earthquake, flood, ice, drought, extreme heat, lightning, wind, fire, accidents, equipment failure, acts of terrorism, computer system outages and other events that disrupt PGE operations, damage PGE facilities and systems, cause the release of harmful materials, cause fires, and subject the Company to liability;
•unseasonable or severe weather and other natural phenomena, such as the greater size and prevalence of wildfires in Oregon in recent years, which could affect public safety, customers’ demand for power and PGE’s ability and cost to procure adequate power and fuel supplies to serve its customers, PGE’s ability to access the wholesale energy market, PGE’s ability to operate its generating facilities and transmission and distribution systems, the Company’s costs to maintain, repair, and replace such facilities and systems, and recovery of costs;
•PGE’s ability to effectively implement a PSPS and de-energize its system in the event of heightened wildfire risk, which could lead to potential liability if energized systems are involved in wildfires that cause harm;
•operational factors affecting PGE’s power generating facilities and battery storage facilities, including forced outages, unscheduled delays, hydro and wind conditions, and disruption of fuel supply, any of which may cause the Company to incur repair costs or purchase replacement power at increased costs;
•default or nonperformance on the part of any parties from whom PGE purchases capacity or energy, which may cause the Company to incur costs to purchase replacement power and related renewable attributes at increased costs;
•complications arising from PGE’s jointly-owned plant, including changes in ownership, adverse regulatory outcomes or legislative actions, or operational failures that result in legal or environmental liabilities or unanticipated costs related to replacement power or repair costs;
•delays in the supply chain and increased supply costs, failure to complete capital projects on schedule or within budget, failure of counterparties to perform under agreements, or the abandonment of capital
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projects, any of which could result in the Company’s inability to recover project costs, or impact PGE’s competitive position, market share, or results of operations in a material way;
•volatility in wholesale power and natural gas prices, including but not limited to volatility caused by macroeconomic and international issues, that could require PGE to post additional collateral or issue additional letters of credit pursuant to power and natural gas purchase agreements;
•changes in the availability and price of wholesale power and fuels, including natural gas and coal, and the impact of such changes on the Company’s power costs;
•capital market conditions, including availability of capital, volatility of interest rates, reductions in demand for investment-grade commercial paper, volatility of equity markets as well as changes in PGE’s credit ratings, any of which could have an impact on the Company’s cost of capital and its ability to access the capital markets to support requirements for working capital, construction of capital projects, the repayments of maturing debt, and stock-based compensation plans, which are relied upon in part to retain key executives and employees;
•future laws, regulations, and proceedings that could increase the Company’s costs of operating its thermal generating plants, or affect the operations of such plants by imposing requirements for additional emissions controls or significant emissions fees or taxes, particularly with respect to coal-fired generating facilities, in order to mitigate carbon dioxide, mercury, and other gas emissions;
•changes in, and compliance with, environmental laws and policies, including those related to threatened and endangered species, fish, and wildlife;
•the effects of climate change, whether global or local in nature, including unseasonable or extreme weather and other natural phenomena that may affect energy costs or consumption, increase the Company’s costs, cause damage to PGE facilities and system, or adversely affect its operations;
•changes in residential, commercial, or industrial customer growth, or demographic patterns, in PGE’s service territory;
•the effectiveness of PGE’s risk management policies and procedures;
•cybersecurity attacks, data security breaches, physical attacks and security breaches, or other malicious acts that cause damage to the Company’s generation, transmission, or distribution facilities, information technology systems, inhibit the capability of equipment or systems to function as designed or expected, or result in the release of confidential customer, vendor, employee, or Company information;
•employee workforce factors, including potential strikes, work stoppages, transitions in senior management, the ability to recruit and retain key employees and other talent, and turnover due to macroeconomic trends such as voluntary resignation of large numbers of employees similar to that experienced by other employers and industries since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic;
•new federal, state, and local laws that could have adverse effects on operating results;
•failure to achieve the Company’s greenhouse gas emission goals or being perceived to have either failed to act responsibly with respect to the environment or effectively respond to legislative requirements concerning greenhouse gas emission reductions, any of which could lead to adverse publicity and have adverse effects on the Company's operations and/or damage the Company's reputation;
•political and economic conditions;
•the impact of widespread health developments, including the global COVID–19 pandemic, and responses to such developments (such as voluntary and mandatory quarantines, including government stay at home orders, as well as shut downs and other restrictions on travel, commercial, social, and other activities), which could materially and adversely affect, among other things, demand for electric services, customers’ ability to pay, supply chains, personnel, contract counterparties, liquidity and financial markets;
•changes in financial or regulatory accounting principles or policies imposed by governing bodies;
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•risks and uncertainties related to 2021 All-Source RFP final shortlist projects, including, but not limited to regulatory processes, inflationary impacts, supply chain constraints, supply cost increases (including application of tariffs impacting solar module imports), and legislative uncertainty; and
•acts of war or terrorism.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by law, PGE undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors or assess the impact of any such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
Overview
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to provide an understanding of the business environment, results of operations, and financial condition of PGE. MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements contained in this report, and other periodic and current reports filed with the SEC.
PGE is a vertically-integrated electric utility engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the State. The Company participates in wholesale markets by purchasing and selling electricity and natural gas in an effort to meet the needs of, and obtain reasonably-priced power for, its retail customers. The Company generates revenues and cash flows primarily from the sale and distribution of electricity to retail customers in its service territory. In addition, PGE continues to develop products and service offerings for the benefit of retail and wholesale customers.
Company Strategy
The Company exists to power the advancement of society. PGE energizes lives, strengthens communities, and fosters energy solutions that promote social, economic, and environmental progress. The Company is committed to being a clean energy leader and delivering steady growth and returns to shareholders. PGE is focused on working with customers, communities, policy makers, and other stakeholders to deliver affordable, safe, reliable electricity service to all, while increasing opportunities to deliver clean and renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and responding to evolving customer expectations. At the same time, the Company is building an increasingly smart, integrated, and interconnected grid that spans from residential customers to other utilities within the region. PGE is transforming all aspects of its business to empower its workforce to be even more results oriented to serve customers well. To create a clean energy future, PGE is focused on the following strategic initiatives:
•Decarbonize Power—Reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity served to retail customers by at least 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2040;
•Electrify the Economy—Increase beneficial electricity use to capture the benefits of new technologies while building an increasingly clean, flexible and reliable grid; and
•Advance our Performance—Improve efficiency, safety, and system and equipment reliability while maintaining affordable energy service and growing earnings per share 5% to 7% annually.
Climate Change
State-mandated GHG emissions reduction targets—In June 2021, the Oregon legislature passed HB 2021, establishing a 100% clean electricity by 2040 framework for PGE and other investor-owned utilities and electric service suppliers in the State. A number of provisions in the bill align with PGE’s strategic direction, and highlight Oregon’s ambitious, economy-wide goals to combat climate change. The GHG emissions reduction targets applicable to these regulated entities are an 80% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, 90% by 2035, and 100% by
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2040 and every year thereafter. For more information regarding HB 2021 and the baseline to which the target reductions apply, see “HB 2021” in the Laws and Regulations section of this Overview.
Empowering customers and communities—PGE’s customers have a desire for purchasing clean energy, as over 234 thousand residential and small commercial customers voluntarily participate in PGE’s Green Future Program, the largest renewable power program by participation in the nation. In 2017, Oregon’s most populous city, Portland, and most populous county, Multnomah, each passed resolutions to achieve 100 percent clean and renewable electricity by 2035 and 100 percent economy-wide clean and renewable energy by 2050. Other jurisdictions in PGE’s service area have similar goals and continue to consider similar goals for the future.
The Company implemented a customer subscription option, the Green Future Impact Program, which is a renewable energy program that allows large business and municipality customers to have a choice in how they source their electricity. Under the Green Future Impact Program, customers can enroll in a Customer-Supplied Option (CSO) or PGE-Supplied Option (PSO). Under the CSO, participants are responsible for finding a renewable energy facility that meets established requirements and bringing those resources to PGE. Under the PSO, customers who enrolled in Phase I can receive energy from PGE-provided purchased power agreements (PPAs) for renewable resources and customers who enroll in Phase II can receive energy from PGE-provided PPAs for renewable resources or energy from renewable resources that are PGE owned, under certain conditions.
As of December 31, 2022, the Green Future Impact Program has an approved capacity of 750 MW nameplate. Through this voluntary program, the Company seeks to support the customers’ clean energy acceleration, achieve PGE sustainability goals, mitigate cost and manage risk, and reliably integrate power.
The Climate Pledge—In 2021, PGE joined The Climate Pledge, a commitment to be net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040, which is a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s goal of 2050. As a signatory to The Climate Pledge, PGE agrees to: i) measure and report GHG emissions on a regular basis; ii) implement decarbonization strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business changes and innovations, including efficiency improvements, renewable energy, materials reductions, and other carbon emission elimination strategies; and iii) neutralize any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent, and socially-beneficial offsets.
Severe weather—In recent years, PGE’s territory has experienced unprecedented heat, historic ice and snowstorms, and wildfires. Beginning December 27, 2022, strong, sustained winds and heavy precipitation caused approximately 180,000 power outages across PGE’s service territory. PGE incurred approximately $5 million in operating expenses related to the storm, of which $4 million has been deferred under PGE’s major storm damage recovery mechanism. On September 9 and 10, 2022, extreme fire conditions and hot, strong wind gusts led PGE to implement a proactive Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in ten identified PSPS areas and seven additional preventive outage areas. The PSPS event impacted approximately 37,000 customer homes and businesses. Power was restored to all customers impacted by the PSPS on September 11, 2022. PGE incurred approximately $1 million in costs in preparation activities leading up to the event, which have been deferred under the wildfire mitigation deferral mechanism (see “Wildfire mitigation” in the “Regulatory Matters” section of this Overview for more information on the impact to PGE’s results of operations).
In June 2021, temperatures in the region reached all-time recorded highs, shattering the Company’s previous summer peak load demand reached in August 2017 and all time peak load established in December 1998. In 2021, Oregon also experienced an extreme wildfire season, following the 2020 destructive wildfire season, and a severe ice storm. The ice storm led to historic levels of customer power outages, and caused considerable expense for service restoration and damage repair (see “February 2021 ice storms and damage” in the “Regulatory Matters” section of this Overview for more information on the impact to PGE’s results of operation). The increase and severity of extreme weather events highlights the importance of combating the effects of climate change through decarbonizing the power supply and investing in a more reliable and resilient grid.
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Investing in a Clean Energy Future
The Resource Planning Process— PGE’s resource planning process includes working with customers, stakeholders, and regulators to chart the course toward a clean, affordable, and reliable energy future. In 2020, the OPUC acknowledged, subject to conditions and directives, the Company’s 2019 IRP and associated Action Plan. With the passage of HB 2021, PGE is preparing a Clean Energy Plan (CEP), which will articulate the Company’s strategy to meet the 2030, 2035, and 2040 emission reduction targets through an equitable transition to a decarbonized grid. The CEP is based on, and is required to be filed in connection with, the Company’s IRP. In 2021, PGE filed an extension waiver for the next IRP, which the OPUC approved. PGE anticipates filing its first combined IRP and CEP with the OPUC on March 31, 2023. That filing will project PGE’s resource and capacity needs over the next 20 years and propose an Action Plan to meet near-term needs, subject to the new HB 2021 emissions reduction requirements.
PGE estimates a need of approximately 3,000 to 4,000 MW in order to meet the Company’s 2030 emissions reduction target. PGE estimates that this need will be met by targeted acquisition of approximately 2,000 to 3,000 MW of non-emitting resources and adding approximately 1,000 MW of non-emitting dispatchable capacity through new acquisition or extending existing capacity contracts. The Company is in the process of evaluating and updating these projections in anticipation of the upcoming IRP and CEP filing.
2021 All- Source RFP
In 2021, PGE initiated its 2021 All-Source RFP public process, seeking approximately 1,000 MW of renewable resources and non-emitting dispatchable capacity, to fill the need identified in the 2019 IRP action plan and to meet a portion of the Company’s estimated 2030 need. PGE issued the final 2021 All-Source RFP in December 2021, and proposals were submitted in January 2022. PGE submitted a request for acknowledgement of the final shortlist to the OPUC on May 5, 2022 that included seven distinct projects submitted by five bidders for renewable resources and six distinct projects by four bidders for capacity resources.
On July 14, 2022, during a public meeting, the OPUC acknowledged, with conditions, PGE’s proposed final shortlist of renewable resources and non-emitting dispatchable capacity. Subsequently, on August 31, 2022, the OPUC issued its order, memorializing its July 14, 2022 acknowledgement, with conditions. Following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, PGE provided an opportunity for all bidders selected to the final shortlist to refresh their pricing. Updated pricing was received in August 2022 and PGE, in collaboration with an Independent Evaluator, updated scoring and ranking to reflect pricing changes from bidders. An updated Independent Evaluator's report was filed as an informational update to the OPUC on September 30, 2022.
Pursuant to the 2021 All-Source RFP process, PGE has entered into agreements to acquire the following:
•Clearwater Wind Development—PGE and NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc. entered into agreements to construct a 311 MW wind energy facility, which will be part of the larger Clearwater Wind development in Eastern Montana. PGE will own 208 MW of production capacity of the 311 MW in these agreements, with an investment of approximately $415 million, excluding an allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC). Subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC will own the remaining 103 MW of production capacity and will sell their portion of the output to PGE under a 30-year PPA. Subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC plan to design, build, and operate the facility. The agreements signed by PGE and subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC will be subject to prudency review on customers’ behalf by the OPUC. The project has an estimated commercial operation date of December 31, 2023.
PGE continues to negotiate with remaining bidders on the final shortlist, with expectations to finalize negotiations in the first half of 2023. PGE filed a status report on December 1, 2022 with the OPUC on the current status of negotiations to meet the remaining 2021 All Source RFP targets, including:
•Approximately 75 to 200 MW of renewable resources;
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•Approximately 375 MW of non-emitting dispatchable capacity resources that can be used to meet peak customer demand; and
•One or more resources for the Company’s Green Future Impact Program. Under the Green Future Impact Program, PGE plans to acquire up to 100 MW of new wind, solar, or hybrid renewable and battery storage resources to meet subscriber demand under the PGE supply option. The Company expects the Green Future Impact Program resources considered in the 2021 All-Source RFP to be incremental to the 150 MWa renewable energy target envisioned under the 2019 IRP Action Plan.
Renewable resources in PGE’s 2021 All-Source RFP must be eligible under Oregon’s RPS and qualify for the federal production tax credit (PTC) or the federal investment tax credit. All resources (dispatchable capacity or renewable) must be online by the end of 2024, with certain exceptions for long-lead time resources.
In February 2022, NewSun Energy LLC (NewSun) filed a petition for judicial review in the Marion County Circuit Court against the OPUC, challenging the scoring methodology in the 2021 All-Source RFP. PGE joined in the case as an intervenor. NewSun also filed a motion to stay the 2021 All-Source RFP process, which the Court subsequently denied. The OPUC filed a motion to dismiss the case and PGE joined the OPUC’s motion to dismiss. NewSun opposed the motion. In May 2022, the Court granted the motion to dismiss to which NewSun responded in June 2022 by filing a notice of appeal with the Court of Appeals of the State of Oregon. NewSun has requested multiple extensions to file opening briefs in the appeal.
On October 28, 2022, NewSun filed a petition in Deschutes County Circuit Court seeking review of the OPUC order acknowledging, with conditions, PGE’s 2021 All-Source RFP shortlist.
PGE cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings or potential impact, if any, to its ongoing 2021 All-Source RFP process.
2023 All-Source RFP
PGE filed notice with the OPUC on January 31, 2023 that an RFP in 2023 is needed to procure resources to meet a forecasted 2026 capacity shortfall and to make continued progress toward HB 2021’s decarbonization targets. These actions are consistent with the forthcoming 2023 IRP Action Plan and CEP. The filing includes PGE’s request for a waiver of the OPUC’s competitive bidding rules and outlines PGE’s recommended timeline for obtaining necessary regulatory approvals and issuing the RFP to the market in the third quarter of 2023. PGE desires to select a final shortlist and submit a request for acknowledgment to the OPUC in December of 2023.
Building a resilient grid—To serve communities with clean energy, PGE’s grid of the future will need to be smart and adaptive. Highlights of PGE’s key investments and plans for building a resilient grid include:
•Wildfire Mitigation—PGE’s Wildfire Mitigation & Resiliency organization plans and implements the Wildfire Mitigation Program, developing and coordinating activities across the company. Under the 2022 Wildfire Mitigation Plan, PGE completed approximately $15 million in capital projects that include installing weather stations and wildfire-detection cameras as well as further hardening the electricity grid in high risk fire areas. PGE expects 2023 capital project spend will be materially consistent with 2022.
•Virtual Power Plant (VPP)—PGE’s customer offerings related to energy efficiency programs, rooftop solar, battery storage and electric vehicle chargers aim to support grid reliability and increase portfolio flexibility and resource diversity. These distributed energy resources are the foundation of PGE’s VPP that will provide a growing suite of grid and system services over time. When coordinated through a VPP platform, distributed energy resources and flexible loads can help the Company achieve cost-effective decarbonization, advance customer and community energy resiliency, promote customer engagement with the energy system, and unlock additional grid services that enable PGE’s distribution system plan (DSP) vision of a dynamic two-way system. In 2022, PGE successfully used batteries in the VPP to contribute to
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system needs and improve grid reliability, demonstrating that, as distributed energy resources scale, PGE has the technology to use them to support resource adequacy and decarbonization goals.
•Distribution System Plan—In 2021, PGE filed its inaugural DSP, which lays out plans to build a grid that empowers customers to make energy management choices to support decarbonization and supports a two-way energy ecosystem with resources like batteries, EV charging, and solar panels where communities—especially underserved Oregonians—need them. The plan consists of two parts, the first of which was acknowledged by the OPUC on March 8, 2022. Part Two was filed on August 15, 2022.
Electrify the economy—To help Oregon reach its decarbonization goals, PGE is working to build a safe, reliable, and affordable, economy-wide, clean energy future. The Company is committed to increase electrification of buildings and support the accelerating pace of vehicle electrification for our customers, as well as our own vehicle fleet. In 2022, PGE completed approximately $11 million in capital projects related to electrifying PGE’s vehicle fleet.
Transportation electrification is one of the most significant ways to reduce GHG emissions in Oregon. PGE is engaged with customers and communities to develop infrastructure projects aimed at improving accessibility to electric vehicle charging stations, build fleet partnerships, and offer programs to encourage customers to advance transportation electrification.
In 2019, PGE filed with the OPUC its first Transportation Electrification plan, which considers current and planned activities, along with both existing and potential system impacts, in relation to Oregon’s GHG emissions reduction goals. In 2020, the OPUC accepted the plan and related costs and revenues associated with the Transportation Electrification and Electric Vehicle Charging pilot programs. In 2021, the Oregon legislature enacted HB 2165, ensuring the OPUC has clear and broad authority to allow electric company investments in infrastructure to support transportation electrification. PGE made a request to the OPUC to delay the filing of its next full Transportation Electrification plan until no later than June 1, 2023 to allow for time for review and evaluation of the plan in the context of the Company’s IRP and CEP filings. This request was approved by the OPUC on February 7, 2023.
Businesses and families continue to turn to electricity to serve their home and workplace needs and PGE continues to share information on the benefits of electric appliances, landscaping tools and equipment, and heat pumps, which provide efficient heating and cooling. In addition, the Company continues to pursue advanced technologies to enhance the grid, pursue distributed generation and energy storage, and develop microgrids and the use of data and analytics to better predict demand and support energy-saving customer programs.
Laws and Regulations
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed into law the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which includes approximately $550 billion of new federal spending. PGE is pursuing multiple areas under the IIJA for potential grant funding of projects. These projects target improvements in electrical system reliability and resiliency, wildfire situational awareness and mitigation, greater communications capabilities, advancements in customer usage analytics using artificial intelligence, renewable resources and advanced electrical grid support, hydro generation operations, hydrogen production, and regional transmission capacity constraints. As of 2022, PGE has submitted two full applications. PGE cannot predict the ultimate timing and success of securing funding from programs under the IIJA.
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022—The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) was signed into law by President Biden on August 16, 2022 with a majority of the provisions effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022. Among other provisions, the bill includes:
•implementation of a new corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) for applicable corporations with average adjusted financial statement income over a three-year period in excess of $1 billion per year;
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•an excise tax of 1% of the fair market value of any stock which is repurchased, reduced by any stock issued during the taxable year; and
•significant tax incentives for energy and climate initiatives, including:
◦A three-year extension and modification of PTCs for facilities that begin construction before December 31, 2024;
◦The ability to transfer or sell PTCs to other taxpayers;
◦Reestablished solar PTC which would allow PGE the opportunity to be competitive in owning solar resources in renewable RFPs;
◦An opt-out of Investment Tax Credit (ITC) normalization requirements on certain stand-alone storage projects;
◦Beginning January 1, 2025, the traditional resource-specific PTCs and ITCs are replaced with technology-neutral clean electricity credits. Critical normalization alternatives are retained with these credits; and
◦Several provisions supporting expanded transportation electrification.
The Company does not expect the excise tax on stock repurchases and the new CAMT to have an impact on the Company’s results of operations. PGE will be closely monitoring guidance from the IRS regarding the enhanced energy credits available under the IRA. Compared to previous resource planning processes, the Company believes the new tax incentives will provide additional investment opportunities for PGE and result in lower customer prices. Increased capital expenditures in such investment would likely result in additional financing needs through debt and equity instruments.
HB 2021—In June 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed HB 2021, which requires retail electricity providers to reduce GHG emissions associated with serving Oregon retail electricity consumers 80% by 2030, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2040, compared to their baseline emissions levels. The baseline levels for PGE are the average annual emissions for the years 2010, 2011, and 2012 associated with the electricity sold to its retail electricity consumers as reported to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ).
HB 2021 requires utilities to develop a CEP for meeting the targets, concurrent with each IRP, and to develop a DSP at reasonable costs to retail electricity consumers. In reviewing a CEP, the OPUC must ensure that utilities plan for equitable implementation and demonstrate continual progress and are taking actions as soon as practicable that facilitate rapid reduction of GHG emissions.
Regulated entities will continue to report annual GHG emissions to the ODEQ, as they do today. In threshold years, and every year thereafter, the OPUC will use the data reported to the ODEQ for that compliance year to determine whether the reduction targets are met. The preliminary percentage of 2022 retail load served by non-emitting resources is 39 percent. This amount excludes generation and purchases associated with power delivered outside of PGE service territory and is calculated utilizing methodology per the ODEQ’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Protocol for investor-owned utilities. The underlying information is subject to ODEQ review and approval.
HB 2021 also:
•Aligns with PGE decarbonization goals;
•Establishes clear decarbonization authority for the OPUC, including authority over ESSs;
•Modernizes competition provisions of Oregon’s electricity restructuring law from 1999;
•Provides clear authority and process for a community-wide green tariff program for customers 30 kilowatts and smaller and allows utilities the ability to earn a return on investments in program resources; and
•Codifies non-bypassability of costs to ensure all customers pay their share of HB 2021 policy costs.
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Governor executive orders—In 2020, the Governor of Oregon issued an executive order that directed State agencies to integrate climate change and the State’s GHG emissions reduction goals into their plans, budgets, investments, and decisions to the extent allowed by law. Among other things, the executive order directed the OPUC to:
•encourage electric companies to support transportation electrification infrastructure that supports GHG emissions reductions and zero-emission vehicle goals;
•prioritize proceedings and activities that advance decarbonization in the utility sector and exercise its broad statutory authority to reduce GHG emissions, mitigate energy burden on utility customers, and ensure reliability and resource adequacy; and
•determine whether utility portfolios and customer programs reduce risks and costs to utility customers by making rapid progress towards reducing GHG emissions consistent with Oregon’s reduction goals.
In addition, the executive order directed the ODEQ to adopt a program to cap and reduce GHG emissions within the State from large stationary sources, transportation fuels, and other liquid or gaseous fuels including natural gas. In December 2021, the ODEQ adopted the Climate Protection Plan, which provided an exemption for electricity generation from the Company’s natural gas-fired resources. The executive order also modified the reduction goals of the State’s Clean Fuels Program and extended the program, from the previous rule that required a ten percent reduction in average carbon intensity of fuels by 2025, to a 25 percent reduction by 2035.
PGE continues to monitor activities of State agencies that have utilized the executive order to shape State policy or seek to implement the order through their own regulatory authority.
RPS standards and other laws—In 2016, SB 1547 set a benchmark for how much electricity must come from renewable sources and required the elimination of coal from Oregon utility customers’ energy supply no later than 2030.
PGE ceased coal fired operation at its Boardman generating facility in 2020 and continues the process of decommissioning the plant. The Company has a 20% ownership share in Colstrip Units 3 and 4 and in response to SB 1547, the Company filed a tariff request in 2016 with the OPUC and received approval to accelerate recovery of PGE’s investment in Colstrip from 2042 to 2030. In 2020, the owners of Colstrip Units 1 and 2 permanently retired those two units. Although PGE has no direct ownership interest in those units, ongoing operations of Units 3 and 4 utilize certain common facilities with Units 1 and 2.
Effective May 9, 2022, PGE’s depreciation rates and associated customer prices changed as approved by the OPUC in the Company’s 2022 General Rate Case (2022 GRC) to reflect further accelerated depreciation of Colstrip Units 3 and 4 from 2030 to December 31, 2025. In order to meet PGE’s regulatory and legislative requirements, the Company continues to evaluate the possibility of exiting ownership of Units 3 and 4 to meet PGE’s regulatory and legislative requirements. See Note 19, Contingencies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for information regarding legal proceedings related to Colstrip.
Any reduction in generation from Colstrip has the potential to provide capacity on the Colstrip transmission facilities, which stretch from eastern Montana to near the western end of that state to serve markets in the Pacific Northwest and neighboring states. PGE has an approximate 15% ownership interest in, and capacity on, the Colstrip transmission facilities. See “Investing in a Clean Energy Future” in this Overview for information regarding development in eastern Montana.
Other provisions of SB 1547 include:
•An increase in RPS thresholds to 27% by 2025, 35% by 2030, 45% by 2035, and 50% by 2040;
•A limitation on the life of renewable energy credits (RECs) generated from facilities that become operational after 2022 to five years, but continued unlimited lifespan for all existing RECs and allowance
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for the generation of additional unlimited RECs for a period of five years for projects online before December 31, 2022; and
•An opportunity to pursue recovery of energy storage costs related to renewable energy in the Company’s RAC filings.
For a more comprehensive review of Environmental Matters, see “Environmental Matters” in Item 1.—Business.
Regulatory Matters
PGE focuses on providing reliable, clean power to customers at affordable prices while providing a fair return to investors. To achieve this goal the Company must execute effectively within its regulatory framework and maintain prudent management of key financial, regulatory, and environmental matters that may affect customer prices and investor returns. The following discussion provides detail on such matters.
General Rate Cases—In July 2021, PGE filed with the OPUC a GRC based on a 2022 test year. Following a public review process, on April 25, 2022, the OPUC issued Order 22-129, which authorized a:
•capital structure of 50% debt and 50% equity;
•return on equity of 9.5%; and
•cost of capital of 6.813%.
Order 22-129 resolved the annual revenue requirement reflecting an increase of $74 million and an average rate base of $5.6 billion. New customer prices, as approved by the OPUC, became effective May 9, 2022. Key elements of the OPUC’s Order also:
•established a balancing account for the Company’s major storm damage recovery mechanism;
•denied PGE’s proposal for a secondary phase of the 2022 GRC regarding the Faraday capital improvement project. The Company had requested that recovery of the capital cost of improvements at the Faraday hydroelectric facility be included in the new rate base. However, as the project was not yet placed in-service, the capital-related revenue requirement was removed and PGE was allowed to pursue recovery in the Company’s next GRC. As of December 31, 2022, the construction work-in-progress balance associated with Faraday was $168 million, including AFUDC;
•required PGE to defer and refund, subject to an earnings test, the revenue requirement associated with Boardman included in customer prices following plant closure in 2020 (for more information see “Deferral of Boardman revenue requirement” within this “Overview” section); and
•created an earnings test for the deferrals for the 2020 Labor Day wildfire and the February 2021 ice storm and damage to be applied on a year-by-year basis.
Further, the parties agreed to eliminate PGE’s decoupling mechanism, which provided a means of recovery (or refund) of margin lost (or gained) as a result of changes in weather-adjusted energy use per customer in comparison to levels projected when customer prices were set. From May 9 through the remainder of 2022, estimated collections from, or refunds to, customers were pro-rated and are expected to be amortized into customer prices in 2024 over a one-year period. For further information on the decoupling mechanism, see “Decoupling” in this Overview section.
As a result of the earnings tests outlined in the OPUC’s Order, the Company released deferrals associated with the year ended 2020, resulting in a pre-tax, non-cash charge to earnings for 2022 in the amount of $17 million. The amount recorded represents the Company’s estimate based on its interpretation of the OPUC’s earnings test. For the years 2021 and 2022, PGE does not expect to exceed its regulated return on equity under the earnings test methodology approved by the OPUC and as a result, no further release of deferrals or earnings test reserve is expected. The OPUC has significant discretion in making the final determination of the application of the earnings
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test for 2020, 2021, and 2022 and the final determination could result in additional disallowances or refunds, which could be material, compared to the amount reserved by the Company as of December 31, 2022.
On February 15, 2023, PGE filed with the OPUC a GRC based on a 2024 test year (2024 GRC) requesting an increase that, when including Colstrip-related adjustments through a supplemental tariff, results in an overall average increase of approximately 14.0% in customer prices for 2024. The requested price increase includes an approximate 4.5% increase as a result of higher NVPC expected in 2024. The NVPC projection will be updated periodically during 2023.
The Company’s 2024 GRC filing seeks recovery of capital investments made across the business to meet growing demand, improve reliability, resiliency, and capability to deliver safe, reliable, clean electricity to customers. A significant portion of the Company’s capital is related to the continued investment in the transmission and distribution system to meet evolving customer expectations and growing demand while also replacing aging infrastructure. PGE’s request also includes recovery of the capital costs to repower the original 1907 Faraday hydro facility, which was placed into service January 31, 2023.
PGE is seeking operations and maintenance increases critical for maintaining the ability to deliver safe, reliable, affordable power amid a period of record inflation. The Company has seen cost pressures in various areas of the business, including labor, wholesale electricity and natural gas commodity prices, and the increased cost-of-debt associated with higher interest rates on its long-term debt.
The Company is also proposing key changes to its PCAM and modifications to the AUT to better address highly dynamic and volatile power market uncertainties and evolving regional fundamental drivers.
PGE has requested a:
•capital structure of 50% debt and 50% equity;
•return on equity of 9.8%;
•cost of capital of 7.06%, which reflects updates for actual and forecasted debt costs; and
•a rate base of $6.3 billion.
Complete details of the 2022 GRC filing (OPUC Docket UE 394), the resulting OPUC Order, are available on the OPUC website at www.oregon.gov/puc. Regulatory review of the 2024 GRC (OPUC Docket UE 416) will continue throughout 2023, with a final order expected to be issued by the OPUC in December 2023, for new customer prices effective January 1, 2024.
COVID-19 impacts—In March 2020, PGE filed an application with the OPUC for deferral of lost revenue and certain incremental costs, such as bad debt expense, related to COVID-19. PGE, other utilities under the OPUC’s jurisdiction, intervenors, and OPUC staff held discussions regarding the scope of costs incurred by utilities that may qualify for deferral under Docket UM 2114. The result of such discussions was an Energy Term Sheet (Term Sheet), which dictates costs in scope for deferral but is silent to the timing of recovery of such costs. In September 2020, the OPUC adopted a proposed OPUC Staff motion for Staff to execute stipulations incorporating the terms of the Term Sheet. PGE’s deferral application was approved by the OPUC in October 2020 with final stipulations for the Term Sheet approved in November 2020.
As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, PGE’s deferred balance was $22 million and $36 million, respectively, comprised primarily of bad debt expense in excess of what is currently considered and collected in customer prices. PGE did not defer incremental bad debt expense associated with customers who are not on a time payment arrangement in 2022. The Company released deferrals associated with the year ended 2020, resulting in a pre-tax charge to earnings for 2022 in the amount of $2 million. The amount recorded represents the Company’s estimate based on its understanding of the OPUC’s intent to apply an earnings test to certain elements of utility COVID deferrals. PGE filed a request for amortization of deferred amounts on December 16, 2022, which reflected a $12 million adjustment primarily related to bad debt write-offs being lower than estimated. The request for amortization has an effective date of April 1, 2023, and is still pending the approval of the Commission.
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Amortization of any deferred costs will remain subject to OPUC review prior to amortization in customer prices and would be subject to an earnings test. PGE believes the amounts deferred are probable of recovery as the Company’s prudently incurred costs were in response to the unique nature of the COVID-19 pandemic health emergency. The OPUC has significant discretion in making the final determination of recovery. The OPUC’s conclusion of overall prudence and the application of an earnings review could result in a portion, or all, of PGE’s deferrals being disallowed for recovery. Such disallowance would be recognized as a charge to earnings.
2020 Labor Day wildfire—In 2020, Oregon experienced the most destructive wildfire season on record, with over one million acres of land burned. PGE’s wildfire mitigation planning includes regular system-wide risk assessment, which led to the identification and activation of a PSPS in a zone near Mt. Hood that was identified as a region at high risk of wildfire in 2020. Additionally, in response to wildfires across Oregon in 2020, PGE cut power to eight additional high-risk fire areas in partnership with local and regional agencies. The Oregon Department of Forestry has opened an investigation into the causes of wildfires in Clackamas County. The Company has received a subpoena and is fully cooperating. The Company is not aware of any wildfires caused by PGE equipment.
In October 2020, the OPUC formally approved PGE’s request for deferral of 2020 wildfire-related costs. As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, PGE’s cumulative deferred costs related to the 2020 wildfire response was $31 million and $45 million, respectively. Pursuant to the earnings tests outlined in Order 22-129, the Company has released deferrals associated with the year ended 2020, resulting in a pre-tax charge to earnings for 2022 in the amount of $15 million. The amount recorded represents the Company’s estimate based on its interpretation of the OPUC’s earnings test.
On July 27, 2022, PGE made a request for amortization with the OPUC that would allow the company to collect the deferred costs in customer prices over a seven-year amortization period beginning November 1, 2022. On October 24, 2022, PGE and parties submitted a stipulation with the OPUC reflecting an agreement that resolved all matters related to 2021 under this deferral and would allow PGE full recovery of the amounts deferred as of September 30, 2022, with amortization over a seven-year period. Order 22-435, issued November 3, 2022, adopted the stipulation approving amortization of amounts that began on January 1, 2023.
Wildfire mitigation—Represents incremental costs and investments made by PGE related to intensifying efforts on its system to increase wildfire safety and resiliency to weather and other disaster-related crises under SB 762, which was passed in the 2021 legislative session with an effective date of July 19, 2021. These efforts include enhanced tree and brush clearing, replacing equipment, and making emergency plans in close partnership with local, state, and federal land and emergency management agencies to further expand the use of a PSPS, if the need should arise. Pursuant to SB 762, PGE submitted a risk-based wildfire protection plan to the OPUC in December 2022. In Order 22-129, the OPUC did not adopt any rate adjustment mechanisms, but rather invited PGE to submit a filing proposing a cost recovery mechanism for incremental wildfire costs consistent with SB 762 and establishing an ongoing review for reasonableness. The outcome of PGE’s 2022 GRC provided an annual amount of $24 million to be collected in customer prices in regards to wildfire mitigation efforts. On July 1, 2022, PGE filed an application for reauthorization of OPUC Docket UM 2019 to defer incremental wildfire mitigation costs which exceed the amount granted in customer prices. As of December 31, 2022, PGE’s deferred balance related to wildfire mitigation was $28 million. While the Company believes the full amount of the deferral is probable of recovery, the OPUC has significant discretion in making the final determination of recovery. The OPUC’s conclusions of overall prudence, could result in a portion, or all, of PGE’s deferral being disallowed for recovery. Such disallowance would be recognized as a charge to earnings.
PGE submitted a tariff filing on August 19, 2022 for an automatic adjustment clause for incremental wildfire mitigation spending, as allowed under SB 762. The filing included a proposal to report semi-annually to show PGE’s progress relative to its Wildfire Mitigation Plan, which is filed under docket UM 2208. On September 9, 2022, the OPUC suspended the tariff and opened docket UE 412 to investigate the filing. On January 13, 2023, PGE, Staff, and certain intervenors have entered into a partial stipulation that would establish a Wildfire Mitigation Mechanism that would allow recovery of PGE’s prudently incurred wildfire mitigation costs, subject to a prudency review. The partial stipulation also supports the deferral of PGE’s wildfire mitigation costs related to 2022 and 2023
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that exceed the amount currently granted in customer prices, subject to a prudency review. The partial stipulation is pending OPUC approval which is targeted for May 10, 2023.
The Company’s deferral application for expenses related to wildfire mitigation, filed in 2019 under OPUC Docket UM 2019, has not yet been approved by the OPUC.
February 2021 ice storms and damage—In February 2021, a historic set of storms involving heavy snow, winds and ice impacted the United States, including PGE’s service territory. Oregon’s Governor declared a state of emergency due to severe winter weather that resulted in heavy snow and ice accumulation, high winds, critical transportation failures, and loss of power and communications capabilities. The wind and ice from the storms caused significant damage to PGE’s transmission and distribution systems, which resulted in over 750,000 outages, with many customers affected more than once. At peak activity during the recovery, PGE deployed over 400 repair crews across the service territory, with many of these crews provided through mutual aid arrangements from throughout the West.
On February 15, 2021, PGE filed an application for authorization to defer emergency restoration costs for the February storms (Docket UM 2156) and as of December 31, 2022, the Company has deferred a total of $74 million, including interest, related to incremental operating expenses due to the storms. PGE incurred and deferred costs related to replacing and rebuilding PGE facilities damaged by the storms, as well as addressing vegetation and other resulting debris and hazards both in and outside of PGE’s property and right-of-way. PGE received OPUC Order No. 22-020 approving the February storms deferral on January 26, 2022.
On October 24, 2022, PGE and parties submitted a stipulation with the OPUC reflecting an agreement that resolved all matters related to 2021 under this deferral and would allow PGE full recovery of the deferred amounts with amortization over a seven-year period. The OPUC adopted the stipulation approving amortization of amounts with amortization that began on January 1, 2023.
Declared states of emergency—In September 2021, the OPUC issued an order that approved a pre-authorized deferral of costs associated with declared states of emergency. Qualifying events would include federal or state declared emergencies with impacts on PGE’s service territory. Previously the Company had to file a request for deferred accounting when an event of that nature occurred, and had to seek OPUC approval of such deferred accounting applications to be effective. With this order, PGE would provide notice of an event that qualifies within 30 days of the declared state of emergency and would not need to seek OPUC approval to apply deferred accounting treatment for incremental costs related to the emergency. The OPUC maintains responsibility to review utility requests to amortize deferred amounts in customer prices, including a review of utility prudence in a future proceeding, among other requirements. As of December 31, 2022, PGE has not recorded any costs under this deferral order.
Power costs—Pursuant to the AUT process, PGE annually files an estimate of power costs for the following year. As approved by the OPUC, the 2022 AUT included a final increase in power costs for 2022, and a corresponding increase in annual revenue requirement, of $64 million from 2021 levels, which were reflected in customer prices effective January 1, 2022. The 2023 AUT contains a $186 million increase in NVPC that will be recovered in customer prices beginning January 1, 2023. See “Power operations” within this Overview section of Item 7 for more information regarding the PCAM.
For 2021, actual NVPC was $62 million above baseline NVPC, which was outside the established deadband range. Therefore, PGE deferred $29 million, which represents 90% of the excess variance expected to be collected from customers for the year ended December 31, 2021. In conjunction with the OPUC’s annual review of the Company’s PCAM filing, on October 24, 2022, PGE and parties submitted a stipulation with the OPUC reflecting an agreement that resolved all matters related to this deferral and would allow PGE full recovery of deferred costs, except for $2 million. The OPUC issued an order November 8, 2022 approving the stipulation. Amortization over a two-year period began January 1, 2023. See “Power operations” within this Overview section of Item 7 for more information regarding the PCAM.
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Portland Harbor Environmental Remediation Account (PHERA) mechanism—The EPA has listed PGE as one of over one hundred Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) related to the remediation of the Portland Harbor Superfund site. As of December 31, 2022, significant uncertainties still remained concerning the precise boundaries for clean-up, the assignment of responsibility for clean-up costs, the final selection of a proposed remedy by the EPA, and the method of allocation of costs amongst PRPs. It is probable that PGE will share in a portion of these costs. In a Record of Decision (ROD) issued in 2017, the EPA outlined its selected remediation plan for clean-up of the Portland Harbor site, which had an estimated total cost of $1.7 billion. Stakeholders have raised concerns that EPA’s cost estimates are understated, and PGE estimates undiscounted total remediation costs for Portland Harbor per the ROD could range from $1.9 billion to $3.5 billion. The Company does not currently have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the amount, or range, of its potential costs for investigation or remediation of Portland Harbor. However, the Company may obtain sufficient information, prior to the final determination of allocation percentages among PRPs, to develop a reasonable estimate, or range, of its potential liability that would require recording an estimate, or low end of the range. The Company’s liability related to the cost of remediating Portland Harbor could be material to PGE’s financial position. The impact of such costs to the Company’s results of operations is mitigated by the PHERA mechanism. As approved by the OPUC, the Company’s recovery mechanism allows the Company to defer and recover estimated liabilities and incurred environmental expenditures related to the Portland Harbor Superfund Site through a combination of third-party proceeds, including, but not limited to, insurance recoveries, and customer prices, as necessary. The mechanism established annual prudency reviews of environmental expenditures and third-party proceeds, and annual expenditures in excess of $6 million, excluding contingent liabilities, are subject to an annual earnings test. PGE’s results of operations may be impacted to the extent such expenditures were to be deemed imprudent by the OPUC or disallowed per the prescribed earnings test. For further information regarding the PHERA mechanism, see “EPA Investigation of Portland Harbor” in Note 19, Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Decoupling—The decoupling mechanism, previously authorized by the OPUC through 2022, was intended to provide for recovery of margin lost as a result of a reduction in electricity sales attributable to energy efficiency, customer-owned generation, and conservation efforts by residential and certain commercial customers. The mechanism provided for collection from (or refund to) customers if weather-adjusted use per customer was less (or more) than that projected in the Company’s most recent GRC.
Collections under the decoupling mechanism were subject to an annual limitation of 2% of revenues for each eligible customer class, based on the net prices in effect for the applicable tariff schedule at the time of collection. For estimated collections recorded in 2022, the Company did not reach the 2% limit for any applicable tariff schedule that would be applied when actually collected in 2024. No limit existed for any potential refunds under the decoupling mechanism, thus increased demand from residential customers since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in larger estimated refunds under the decoupling mechanism, which largely offset the revenue increases that resulted from higher residential demand.
In the 2022 GRC, parties reached an agreement that has eliminated PGE’s decoupling mechanism upon the effective date of new customer prices pursuant to the case, which began May 9, 2022. Pursuant to the GRC Order, the OPUC adopted the agreement such that deferrals will not occur after 2022, although amortization of then previously recorded deferrals will continue as scheduled until collected or refunded in future customer prices and deferral continued through the end of 2022 on a prorated basis. In the 2024 GRC filing, the Company has included a concept proposal that could lead to resuming decoupling January 1, 2024, with certain modifications.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded an estimated refund of $3 million to residential customers and a collection of $6 million from commercial customers that resulted from variances between actual weather-adjusted use per customer and that projected in the 2019 GRC. The Company saw a decline in weather-adjusted use per customer from both residential and commercial customers during 2022 compared to 2021 levels, although residential usage continued to exceed the projections.
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At December 31, 2021, PGE had recorded a total refund of $10 million that will be refunded to customers over a one-year period, which began January 1, 2023.
Deferral of Boardman revenue requirement—In October 2020, intervenors filed a deferral application with the OPUC that would require PGE to defer and refund the revenue requirement associated with the Company’s Boardman coal-fired generating plant (Boardman) then included in customer prices as established in the Company’s 2019 GRC. The application stated a deferral was required for customers to adequately capture the reduction in revenue requirement beginning on October 15, 2020, the date Boardman ceased operations. PGE estimated the revenue requirement for Boardman to be $14 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an additional $66 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, and $23 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
In the 2022 GRC Order, the OPUC found that the deferral was warranted with amortization subject to an earnings test. On July 27, 2022, the Company filed an application, which, subject to OPUC approval, showed that the Company did not exceed the earnings test threshold for 2020 or 2021 and consequently, no refund would be required for those years. Customer prices resulting from the 2022 GRC Order no longer include any revenue requirement related to Boardman after new customer prices took effect on May 9, 2022. Although still subject to OPUC review, PGE does not believe it exceeded its regulated return on equity under the earnings test for 2022.
On October 24, 2022, PGE and parties submitted a stipulation with the OPUC reflecting an agreement that resolved all matters related to 2021 under this deferral and states that no refund is necessary for that year. The stipulation remains subject to OPUC approval. Review and determination of potential refund for the periods related to 2020 and 2022 remain outstanding. In November 2022, the OPUC granted a motion by PGE to suspend the procedural schedule and directed the Company to file a status update no later than February 16, 2023. In granting the ruling the OPUC noted that it expects to resolve this matter, addressing both the 2020 and 2022 deferrals within the first half of 2023.
Based on the application of an earnings test, PGE has not recorded a refund related to Boardman for 2020, 2021, or 2022. The OPUC has significant discretion in making the final determination of the application of the earnings test for 2020, 2021, and 2022, and could require additional refunds that would be recognized as a charge to earnings, which could be material.
Renewable recovery framework—As previously authorized by the OPUC, a primary method available to recover costs associated with renewable resources is the RAC. The RAC allows PGE to recover prudently incurred costs of renewable resources through filings made each year, outside of a GRC. There were no significant filings made under the RAC during 2022. In the 2019 GRC Order, the OPUC authorized the inclusion of prudent costs of energy storage projects associated with renewables in future RAC filings, under certain conditions. PGE is requesting within its 2024 GRC that the OPUC clarify that energy storage used to integrate renewables on a utility’s system qualifies as associated energy storage.
Operating Activities
In addition to electricity provided by PGE’s own generation portfolio, to meet retail load requirements and balance energy supply with customer demand, the Company purchases and sells electricity in the wholesale market. PGE also performs portfolio management and wholesale market sales services for third parties in the region. The Company participates in the western EIM, which allows, among other things, more renewable energy integration into the grid by better complementing the variable output of renewable resources. In its ongoing effort to benefit retail and wholesale customers, PGE has announced its intention to join the Western Power Pool and a binding resource adequacy program for the region known as the WRAP. Ten other utilities in the western United States and Canada have recently signaled similar intent. The WRAP represents an effort to increase reliability and clean energy in the region through resource diversification and load sharing while managing overall costs. The Company also purchases natural gas in the United States and Canada to fuel its generation portfolio and sells excess gas back into the wholesale market.
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PGE generates revenues and cash flows primarily from the sale and distribution of electricity to its retail customers. The impact of seasonal weather conditions on demand for electricity can cause the Company’s revenues, cash flows, and income from operations to fluctuate from period to period. Historically, PGE has experienced its highest MWa deliveries and retail energy sales during the winter heating season and did record a new winter peak load in December 2022. Summer peak deliveries have continued to exceed those of the winter months for several years, generally resulting from air conditioning demand and the trend toward a warmer overall climate. During the summer of 2021, demand reached a new all-time high, surpassing the previous mark, which was a winter peak. For further information regarding seasonal fluctuations, see “Seasonality” in the Customers and Revenues section in Item 1.—“Business.” Retail customer price changes and customer usage patterns, which can be affected by the economy and recently, by changes resulting from COVID-19, also have an effect on revenues. Wholesale power availability and price, hydro and wind generation, and fuel costs for thermal plants can also affect income from operations. PGE has taken measures to help ensure the availability of supply chain-constrained items that are needed to serve new and existing customers, such as advance ordering of critical materials, pre-securing manufacturing capacity with strategic partners, and evaluating availability with established and new suppliers. PGE has also taken measures to help mitigate cost increases through long term agreements, supplier engagement and expanding the supply base.
Customers and demand—The following tables present total energy deliveries and the average number of retail customers by customer type for 2022 and 2021.
| Energy deliveries (MWh in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | % Increase/ (Decrease) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail: | ||||||||||||
| Residential | 8,088 | 7,978 | 1.4 | % | ||||||||
| Commercial (PGE sales only) | 6,650 | 6,604 | 0.7 | |||||||||
| Direct Access | 548 | 589 | (7.0) | |||||||||
| Total Commercial | 7,198 | 7,193 | 0.1 | |||||||||
| Industrial (PGE sales only) | 4,167 | 3,714 | 12.2 | |||||||||
| Direct Access | 1,778 | 1,647 | 8.0 | |||||||||
| Total Industrial | 5,945 | 5,361 | 10.9 | |||||||||
| Total (PGE sales only) | 18,905 | 18,296 | 3.3 | |||||||||
| Total Direct Access | 2,326 | 2,236 | 4.0 | |||||||||
| Total retail energy deliveries | 21,231 | 20,532 | 3.4 | % | ||||||||
| Wholesale energy deliveries | 6,000 | 5,946 | 0.9 | |||||||||
| Total energy deliveries | 27,231 | 26,478 | 2.8 | % |
| Average number of retail customers | 2022 | 2021 | % Increase/ (Decrease) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 809,573 | 88 | % | 800,372 | 88 | % | 1.1 | % | |||||||
| Commercial | 112,127 | 12 | 111,062 | 12 | 1.0 | ||||||||||
| Industrial | 192 | — | 191 | — | 0.5 | ||||||||||
| Direct access | 552 | — | 584 | — | (5.5) | ||||||||||
| Total | 922,444 | 100 | % | 912,209 | 100 | % | 1.1 | % |
In 2022, retail energy deliveries increased 3.4% from 2021, with increases reflected in all three customer categories, although driven by strong demand from industrial customers. The industrial class has experienced an increase in energy deliveries, due primarily to continued growth in the high-tech and digital services sectors. Residential usage continues to be elevated compared to levels seen before COVID-19, as remote and hybrid work schedules remain in place across the Company’s service area. Weather had a positive impact on deliveries with warmer than normal
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temperatures experienced during the summer months and overall cooler weather seen during the heating seasons than in 2021.
In March 2020, the Governor of Oregon issued an order directing residents to stay at home except for essential activity and mandating closure of businesses for which close personal contact would be difficult or impossible to avoid. The Company saw a shift in retail demand in response, beginning with the second quarter of 2020. In particular, residential loads increased as a larger percentage of the population spent more time at home. Conversely, commercial energy deliveries declined as many businesses were disrupted in an attempt to maintain social distancing or have closed as a result of the lack of business as residents followed directives from state and federal authorities. The majority of state and local mandates were lifted by mid-2021, allowing for commercial recovery to begin, however as COVID-19 variants impacted communities in 2021, impacts to energy deliveries, particularly increases in residential average usage remained. In 2022, PGE began to see decreases in average residential usage on a weather-adjusted, year over year basis, however we expect that the shift that has occurred with respect to hybrid work schedules will have lasting impacts on average usage.
Residential energy deliveries, which are most sensitive to fluctuations in temperatures, were 1.4% higher in 2022 than 2021, due to a 0.2% increase in average usage per customer, which resulted largely from warmer summer and colder fourth quarter temperatures, and a 1.1% increase in the average number of customers.
Commercial energy deliveries were fairly stable in 2022 with the prior year, showing an increase of 0.1%. While COVID-19 related recovery has largely occurred, continued impacts of programmatic energy efficiency and uncertainty in economic conditions have tempered commercial growth in 2022.
Industrial energy deliveries increased 10.9% in 2022 due to continued strength in the high-tech manufacturing and digital service sector. Several large customers experienced continued growth in 2022 and new data center facilities came online.
Total heating degree-days, an indication of electricity use for heating, in 2022 were fairly consistent overall with the 15-year average although 7% above total heating degree-days in 2021. The Company experienced a new record winter peak load in December 2022 of 4,113 MW. Total cooling degree-days, a similar indication of the extent to which customers were likely to have used electricity for cooling, in 2022, exceeded the 15-year average by 52%, although were only 3% above the 2021 total, illustrating that the two most recent summer seasons have been exceedingly warm compared to historical averages. The following table presents the number of heating and cooling degree-days in 2022 and 2021, along with the current 15-year averages, reflecting the influence that weather had on comparative energy deliveries.
| Heating Degree-Days | Cooling Degree-Days | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 15-Year Average | 2022 | 2021 | 15-Year Average | |||||||||||
| 1st quarter | 1,761 | 1,805 | 1,846 | — | — | — | ||||||||||
| 2nd quarter | 760 | 498 | 625 | 75 | 238 | 100 | ||||||||||
| 3rd quarter | 6 | 54 | 72 | 745 | 600 | 467 | ||||||||||
| 4th quarter | 1,576 | 1,471 | 1,560 | 45 | — | 2 | ||||||||||
| Total | 4,103 | 3,828 | 4,103 | 865 | 838 | 569 | ||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) from the 15-year average | — | % | (7) | % | 52 | % | 47 | % |
On a weather-adjusted basis, total retail deliveries increased 2.0% from 2021. The increase was driven by a 10.6% growth in industrial deliveries, partially offset by a 0.5% decline in commercial energy deliveries and a 1.4% decrease in weather-adjusted deliveries to residential customers, as average use per customer has declined from the highs seen during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company projects that retail energy deliveries for 2023 will be between 2.5% and 3.0% above 2022 weather-adjusted levels, reflecting continued growth in industrial deliveries.
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ESSs supplied Direct Access customers with energy representing 11% of PGE’s total retail energy deliveries during 2022 and 2021. The maximum retail load allowed to be supplied under the fixed three-year and minimum five-year opt-out programs represent 12% of the Company’s total retail energy deliveries for 2022. With the adoption of the New Large Load Direct Access program in 2020, as much as 17% of the Company’s 2022 energy deliveries could have been supplied by ESSs.
Power operations—PGE utilizes a combination of its own generating resources and wholesale market transactions to meet the energy needs of its retail customers. Based on numerous factors, including plant availability, customer demand, river flows, wind conditions, and current wholesale prices, the Company continuously makes economic dispatch decisions in an effort to obtain reasonably-priced power for its retail customers. PGE also purchases wholesale natural gas in the United States and Canada to fuel its generating portfolio and sells excess gas back into the wholesale market. As a result, the amount of power generated and purchased in the wholesale market to meet the Company’s retail load requirement can vary from period to period and impacts NVPC and income from operations.
The following table provides information regarding the performance of the Company’s generation portfolio.
| Plant availability (1) | Actual energy provided compared to projected levels (2) | Actual energy provided as a percentage of total retail load | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Thermal: | |||||||||||||||
| Natural gas | 86 | % | 89 | % | 81 | % | 114 | % | 41 | % | 48 | % | |||
| Coal (3) | 89 | 81 | 100 | 103 | 11 | 11 | |||||||||
| Wind (4) | 82 | 92 | 81 | 110 | 9 | 12 | |||||||||
| Hydro | 94 | 83 | 81 | 73 | 5 | 6 |
(1)Plant availability represents the percentage of the year plants were available for operations, which is impacted by planned maintenance and forced, or unplanned, outages.
(2)Projected levels of energy are included as part of PGE’s AUT. Such projections establish the power cost component of retail prices for the following calendar year. Any shortfall is generally replaced with power from higher cost sources, while any excess generally displaces power from higher cost sources.
(3)Plant availability reflects Colstrip, which PGE does not operate.
(4)Plant availability includes Wheatridge, which PGE does not operate.
Energy received from PGE-owned and jointly-owned thermal plants in 2022 compared to 2021 decreased by 8%. This decrease is primarily related to PGE’s natural gas-fired plants which were displaced by higher hydroelectric generation and purchases, and economic dispatch decisions in response to higher natural gas prices. Energy expected to be received from thermal resources is projected annually in the AUT based on forecast market prices, variable costs to run the plant, and the constraints of the plant. PGE’s thermal generating plants require varying levels of annual maintenance, which is generally performed during the second quarter of the year.
Total energy received from all hydroelectric sources, both PGE-owned generation and purchased, increased 25% in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to increased runoff resulting from more favorable snowpack conditions. Energy received from mid-Columbia and other regional hydroelectric projects increased 31% while energy generated by the Company-owned facilities decreased 4% in 2022 largely as a result of PGE’s sale of 16.66% of its ownership interest in Pelton/Round Butte to the CTWS, effective January 1, 2022. PGE purchases 100% of the CTWS’s share of the project output. Energy expected to be received from hydroelectric resources is projected annually in the AUT based on a modified hydro study, which utilizes 80 years of historical stream flow data. See “Purchased power and fuel” in the Results of Operations section in this Item 7, for further detail on regional hydro results.
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Energy received from PGE-owned wind resources and under contracts decreased 22% in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to unplanned plant outages during the period. Energy expected to be received from wind generating resources is projected annually in the AUT based on historical generation. Wind generation forecasts are developed using a 5-year rolling average of historical wind levels or forecast studies when historical data is not available.
Under the PCAM, PGE may share with customers a portion of cost variances associated with NVPC. Customer prices can be adjusted annually to absorb a portion of the difference between the forecasted NVPC included in customer prices (baseline NVPC) and actual NVPC for the year, if such differences exceed a prescribed “deadband” limit, which ranges from $15 million below to $30 million above baseline NVPC. To the extent actual NVPC, subject to certain adjustments, is outside the deadband range, the PCAM provides for 90% of the excess variance to be collected from, or refunded to, customers. Pursuant to a regulated earnings test, a refund will occur only to the extent that it results in PGE’s actual regulated return on equity (ROE) for the given year being no less than 1% above the Company’s latest authorized ROE, while a collection will occur only to the extent that it results in PGE’s actual regulated ROE for that year being no greater than 1% below the Company’s authorized ROE. The following is a summary of the results of the Company’s PCAM as calculated for regulatory purposes for 2022 and 2021:
•For 2022, actual NVPC was above baseline NVPC by $23 million, which was within the established deadband range. Accordingly, no estimated collection from customers was recorded as of December 31, 2022. A final determination regarding the 2022 PCAM results will be made by the OPUC through a public filing and review in 2023.
•For 2021, actual NVPC was above baseline NVPC by $62 million, which was outside the established deadband range. Pursuant to the PCAM, as PGE’s preliminary regulatory ROE was below 8.5% pursuant to the related earnings test, as of December 31, 2021, PGE deferred $30 million, which represented 90% of the excess variance expected to be collected from customers. On October 24, 2022, PGE and Parties submitted a stipulation with the OPUC that resolved all matters related to the 2021 PCAM and resulted in a deferred balance as of December 31, 2022 of $28 million, including interest. The OPUC issued Order 22-440 approving the stipulation and amortization began January 1, 2023 over a two-year period. See “Power costs” within “Regulatory Matters” in this Overview section of Item 7 for more information.
The AUT filing, which serves to reset the baseline NVPC for PCAM purposes, indicated that a $64 million increase was expected in 2022 over 2021. The 2023 AUT anticipates a $186 million increase in NVPC that will be recovered in customer prices beginning January 1, 2023.
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Results of Operations
The following tables provide financial and operational information to be considered in conjunction with management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations.
The results of operations are as follows for the years presented (dollars in millions):
| Years Ended December 31, | % Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| Amount | Amount | |||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 2,647 | $ | 2,396 | 10 | % | ||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||
| Purchased power and fuel | 988 | 822 | 20 | |||||||
| Generation, transmission and distribution | 348 | 310 | 12 | |||||||
| Administrative and other | 340 | 336 | 1 | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 417 | 404 | 3 | |||||||
| Taxes other than income taxes | 157 | 146 | 8 | |||||||
| Total operating expenses | 2,250 | 2,018 | 11 | |||||||
| Income from operations | 397 | 378 | 5 | |||||||
| Interest expense, net * | 156 | 137 | 14 | |||||||
| Other income: | ||||||||||
| Allowance for equity funds used during construction | 14 | 17 | (18) | |||||||
| Miscellaneous income, net | 17 | 9 | 89 | |||||||
| Other income, net | 31 | 26 | 19 | |||||||
| Income before income taxes | 272 | 267 | 2 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 39 | 23 | 70 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 233 | $ | 244 | (5) | % |
* Includes an allowance for borrowed funds used during construction of $7 million in 2022 and $8 million in 2021.
2022 Compared to 2021
Net income for 2022 decreased $11 million from 2021 as the impact of higher natural gas and electricity prices coupled with increased customer demand drove Purchased power and fuel expense up. Increases in Retail revenues were led by the increase in customer prices to cover anticipated higher net variable power costs, as authorized by the OPUC in the AUT, although such increase fell considerably short of covering the incremental expense that the Company experienced, as well as higher customer demand. Retail energy deliveries increased 3.4% as energy deliveries to Industrial cost-of-service customers increased 12.2% in 2022 compared to 2021. Retail revenues were impacted by a slightly lower average price mix in 2022 as a result of the increased demand in the industrial sector. Wholesale revenues were the largest contributor to higher revenues in 2022 as wholesale power prices rose considerably along with marginally greater volumes. Increases in Operating expenses reflect the impact of the earnings tests outlined in OPUC Order 22-129, expenses related to service restoration costs, and continued vegetation management activities.
Other income increased primarily due to a buyout of a retiree medical benefit plan in 2022, resulting in an $11 million settlement gain, partially offset by unfavorable market changes on the non-qualified benefit trust and lower AFUDC equity income on lower construction work-in-progress balances. Income taxes increased due primarily to higher Income before income tax expense combined with lower tax credits and a true up adjustment recorded in 2021 that reduced income tax expense.
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Total revenues consist of the following for the years presented (in millions):
| 2022 | 2021 | % Increase (Decrease) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail: * | ||||||||||
| Residential | $ | 1,158 | $ | 1,118 | 4 | % | ||||
| Commercial | 723 | 690 | 5 | |||||||
| Industrial | 289 | 250 | 16 | |||||||
| Direct Access | 35 | 47 | (26) | |||||||
| Subtotal | 2,205 | 2,105 | 5 | |||||||
| Alternative revenue programs, net of amortization | 11 | (29) | (138) | |||||||
| Other accrued revenues, net | 7 | 2 | 250 | |||||||
| Total retail revenues | 2,223 | 2,078 | 7 | |||||||
| Wholesale revenues | 363 | 255 | 42 | |||||||
| Other operating revenues | 61 | 63 | (3) | |||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 2,647 | $ | 2,396 | 10 | % |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| * | Includes both revenues from customers who purchase their energy supplies from the Company and revenues from the delivery of energy to those customers that purchase their energy from ESSs. Commercial revenues from ESS customers were $12 million for 2022 and $18 million in 2021. Industrial revenues from ESS customers were $23 million and $29 million for 2022 and 2021, respectively. |
Total retail revenues—The following items contributed to the increase in Total retail revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | $ | 2,078 |
|---|---|---|
| Change as a result of the AUT, approved by the OPUC (partially offset in Purchased power and fuel) | 69 | |
| Retail energy deliveries driven by higher industrial demand, increase in customers, and the effects of weather | 66 | |
| Alternative revenue programs related to the decoupling mechanism due primarily to prorated elimination of the mechanism in 2022 and anticipated refunds recorded in 2021 | 13 | |
| Recovery in Revenues of storm related expenses | 9 | |
| Combination of various supplemental tariffs and adjustments | (2) | |
| Average price of energy deliveries due primarily to shift in mix among customer classes resulting from increased industrial demand | (10) | |
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | 2,223 | |
| Change in Total retail revenues | $ | 145 |
Wholesale revenues result from sales of electricity to utilities and power marketers made in the Company’s efforts to secure reasonably priced power for its retail customers, manage risk, and administer its current long-term wholesale contracts. Such sales can vary significantly from year to year as a result of economic conditions, power and fuel prices, hydro and wind availability, and customer demand.
In 2022, a $108 million, or 42%, increase from 2021 in wholesale revenues resulted from a $106 million increase in average prices received when the Company sold power into the wholesale market. Although wholesale prices for electricity increased considerably during 2021 from the prior year, 2022 saw even higher prices. The higher sales prices in 2022 resulted from several factors including the overall economic recovery and macroeconomic factors impacting the energy commodity markets, although were driven largely by higher natural gas prices. In addition, sales volumes increased 1%, which contributed another $2 million.
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Other operating revenues decreased $2 million, or 3%, in 2022 from 2021, primarily as a result of market conditions in 2021 that allowed the Company to sell excess natural gas in excess of amounts needed for the Company’s generation portfolio back into the wholesale market at gains that have exceeded those experienced during 2022. The gains were considerably higher in early 2021 due in part to the impact of unusual weather events on the demand for natural gas.
Purchased power and fuel expense includes the cost of power purchased and fuel used to generate electricity to meet PGE’s retail load requirements, as well as the cost of settled electric and natural gas financial contracts.
The following items contributed to the increase in Purchased power and fuel for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 (dollars in millions, except for average variable power cost per MWh):
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | $ | 822 |
|---|---|---|
| Average variable power cost per MWh | 13 | |
| Total system load | 124 | |
| 2021 PCAM deferral | 29 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | 988 | |
| Change in Purchased power and fuel | $ | 166 |
| Average variable power cost per MWh: | ||
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | $ | 33.63 |
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | $ | 37.71 |
| Total system load (MWh in thousands): | ||
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | 25,295 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | 26,215 |
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the $15 million increase related to the change in average variable power cost per MWh was primarily driven by a 5% increase in the average cost for purchased power, offset by a 13% decrease in the average cost of power from the Company’s own generation. The $124 million increase related to total system load was primarily due to a 23% increase in purchased power, driven largely by the economic displacement of gas facilities in 2022, offset by a 10% decrease in the company’s own generation.
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PGE’s sources of energy, total system load, and retail load requirement for the years presented are as follows:
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Sources of energy (MWh in thousands): | |||||||||||
| Generation: | |||||||||||
| Thermal: | |||||||||||
| Natural gas | 8,242 | 31 | % | 9,306 | 37 | % | |||||
| Coal | 2,186 | 8 | 2,060 | 8 | |||||||
| Total thermal | 10,428 | 39 | 11,366 | 45 | |||||||
| Hydro | 1,027 | 4 | 1,073 | 4 | |||||||
| Wind | 1,765 | 7 | 2,316 | 9 | |||||||
| Total generation | 13,220 | 50 | 14,755 | 58 | |||||||
| Purchased power: | |||||||||||
| Hydro | 6,297 | 24 | 4,789 | 19 | |||||||
| Wind | 824 | 3 | 989 | 4 | |||||||
| Solar | 723 | 3 | 501 | 2 | |||||||
| Natural Gas | 33 | — | 63 | — | |||||||
| Waste, Wood and Landfill Gas | 168 | 1 | 167 | 1 | |||||||
| Source not specified | 4,961 | 19 | 4,031 | 16 | |||||||
| Total purchased power | 13,006 | 50 | 10,540 | 42 | |||||||
| Total system load | 26,226 | 100 | % | 25,295 | 100 | % | |||||
| Less: wholesale sales | (6,000) | (5,946) | |||||||||
| Retail load requirement | 20,226 | 19,349 |
Purchased power in the table above includes power received from qualifying facilities under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) as follows:
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||
| Sources of energy (MWhs in thousands): | ||||
| PURPA purchased power: | ||||
| Hydro | 36 | 15 | ||
| Wind | 25 | 30 | ||
| Solar | 588 | 472 | ||
| Waste, Wood, Landfill Gas, and Other | 101 | 102 | ||
| Total | 750 | 619 |
The following table presents the forecasted April-to-September 2023 and actual April-to-September 2022 and 2021 runoff at particular points of major rivers relevant to PGE’s hydro resources:
| Runoff as a Percent of Normal* | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | 2023 Forecast | 2022 Actual | 2021 Actual | |||||
| Columbia River at The Dalles, Oregon | 83 | % | 107 | % | 82 | % | ||
| Mid-Columbia River at Grand Coulee, Washington | 83 | 110 | 89 | |||||
| Clackamas River at Estacada, Oregon | 90 | 139 | 70 | |||||
| Deschutes River at Moody, Oregon | 78 | 92 | 84 |
* Volumetric water supply forecasts and historical averages for the Pacific Northwest region are prepared by the Northwest River Forecast Center, with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and other cooperating agencies.
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Actual NVPC, which consists of Purchased power and fuel expense net of Wholesale revenues, increased $59 million in 2022 compared with 2021. The increase attributable to changes in Purchased power and fuel expense was the result of a 12% increase in the average variable power cost per MWh and a 4% increase in total system load. The increase in actual NVPC was also a result of the 41% higher average price per MWh sold and a 1% increase in the volume of wholesale energy deliveries.
The following items contributed to the increase in Actual NVPC for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | $ | 567 |
|---|---|---|
| Purchased power and fuel expense | 138 | |
| Wholesale revenues | (108) | |
| 2021 PCAM Deferral | 29 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | 626 | |
| Change in NVPC | $ | 59 |
For further information regarding NVPC in relation to the PCAM, see “Power operations” in the Overview section of this Item 7.
Generation, transmission, and distribution expense increased $38 million or 12% for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, with the change attributed largely to the following items (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | $ | 310 |
|---|---|---|
| Release of previously deferred amounts pursuant to earnings test created in OPUC 2022 GRC Order | 16 | |
| Higher service restoration and storm response costs | 5 | |
| Higher distribution vegetation management, inspection, and maintenance expenses | 4 | |
| Higher employee compensation and benefits expenses | 4 | |
| Increase in generation facility maintenance expenses driven by major maintenance activities | 3 | |
| Miscellaneous expenses | 6 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | 348 | |
| Change in Generation, transmission and distribution | $ | 38 |
For the year ended December 31, 2022, PGE deferred $27 million and $7 million in incremental wildfire mitigation costs and storm response costs, respectively.
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Administrative and other expense increased $4 million or 1% for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 due largely to the following items (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | $ | 336 |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory program amortization | 6 | |
| Higher facility maintenance, insurance, and licensing expenses | 4 | |
| Higher bad debt expense | 1 | |
| Lower professional service expenses | (5) | |
| Lower employee compensation and benefits expenses | (5) | |
| Miscellaneous expenses | 3 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | 340 | |
| Change in Administrative and other | $ | 4 |
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $13 million or 3% for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to year ended December 31, 2021, with the change largely resulting from the following items (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | $ | 404 |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated depreciation of the Colstrip facility as approved by the OPUC’s 2022 GRC Order | 15 | |
| Capital additions, net of retirements | 8 | |
| Activity related to regulatory programs (offset elsewhere on the income statement) | (10) | |
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | 417 | |
| Change in Depreciation and amortization | $ | 13 |
Taxes other than income taxes expense increased $11 million, or 8%, in 2022 compared with 2021, primarily due to higher franchise fees and property tax expenses.
Interest expense increased $19 million, or 14%, in 2022 compared with 2021 driven by higher average balances of outstanding debt as well as higher leasing expenses from the January 1, 2022 commencement of the Pelton/Round Butte financing arrangement.
Other income, net increased $5 million, or 19%, in 2022 compared to 2021, with the difference driven by the execution of a buyout of the Non-represented Retiree Medical Plan in 2022, resulting in a $11 million settlement gain. For more information, see Note 11, Employee Benefits, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplemental Data.” An additional $4 million reduction in pension and other post-retirement employee benefit non-service cost expenses also contributed to the increase. The favorable drivers were partially offset by $9 million unfavorable market changes on the non-qualified benefit trust and as well as $3 million lower AFUDC equity income driven by lower construction work-in-progress balances in 2022.
Income tax expense increased $16 million, or 70%, in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily driven by a $9 million cumulative catch-up adjustment recorded in 2021 to defer and recognize a regulatory asset for previously recorded deferred income tax expenses on a certain local flow-through tax; lower production tax credit benefits in 2022 compared to 2021;higher expenses from flow-through items; and higher pre-tax income. The increases were partially offset by higher research and development tax credit benefits.
See Note 12, Income Taxes, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.— “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” for more information.
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2021 Compared to 2020
For a comparison of the Company’s results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 to the year ended December 31, 2020, see Item 7.—” Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 16, 2022.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Discussions, forward-looking statements, and projections in this section, and similar statements in other parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are subject to PGE’s assumptions regarding the availability and cost of capital. See “Capital and credit market conditions could adversely affect the Company’s access to capital, cost of capital, and ability to execute its strategic plan.” in Item 1A.—“Risk Factors,” for further information.
Capital Requirements
The following table presents actual capital expenditures and debt maturities for 2022 and projected capital expenditures and future debt maturities for 2023 through 2027 (in millions, excluding AFUDC):
| Years Ending December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | |||||||||||||||||
| Ongoing capital expenditures (1) | $ | 801 | $ | 785 | $ | 725 | $ | 750 | $ | 775 | $ | 800 | ||||||||||
| Integrated Operations Center | 10 | 10 | 5 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Clearwater Wind project | $ | — | $ | 415 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Total capital expenditures (2) | $ | 811 | $ | 1,210 | $ | 730 | $ | 750 | $ | 775 | $ | 800 | ||||||||||
| Long-term debt maturities | $ | — | $ | 260 | $ | 80 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 160 |
(1) Consists primarily of upgrades to, and replacement of, generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, as well as new customer connects. Includes accrued capital additions, preliminary engineering, removal costs, and certain intangible working capital assets.
(2) Amounts subsequent to 2022 are estimates as of the date of this report and may be affected by economic conditions, including but not limited to, impacts of inflation, changes to the cost of materials and labor, and financing costs.
During 2022, PGE funded its capital expenditures through a combination of cash from operations in the amount of $674 million, and net proceeds from the issuance of FMBs in the total amount of $100 million and a term loan in the amount of $260 million. Capital expenditures in 2023 are expected to be approximately $1.2 billion. PGE plans to fund the 2023 capital expenditures with cash from operations during 2023, which is expected to range from $700 million to $750 million, the issuance of debt securities of up to $350 million, which includes $100 million issued in November 2022 and funded in January 2023, issuances of shares pursuant to an equity forward sale agreement (EFSA), and the issuance of commercial paper, as needed. The actual timing and amount of any other issuances of debt or commercial paper will be dependent upon the timing and amount of capital expenditures. For a discussion concerning PGE’s ability to fund its future capital requirements, see “Debt and Equity Financings” in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this Item 7.
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Liquidity
PGE’s access to short-term debt markets, including revolving credit from banks, helps provide necessary liquidity to support the Company’s current operating activities, including the purchase of power and fuel. Long-term capital requirements are driven largely by capital expenditures for distribution, transmission, and generation facilities to support both new and existing customers, information technology systems, and debt refinancing activities. PGE’s liquidity and capital requirements can also be significantly affected by other working capital needs, including margin deposit requirements related to wholesale market activities, which can vary depending upon the Company’s forward positions and the corresponding price curves.
The following summarizes PGE’s cash flows for the periods presented (in millions):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | $ | 52 | $ | 257 | ||
| Net cash provided by (used in): | ||||||
| Operating activities | 674 | 532 | ||||
| Investing activities | (758) | (656) | ||||
| Financing activities | 197 | (81) | ||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | 113 | (205) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | $ | 165 | $ | 52 |
2022 Compared to 2021
Cash Flows from Operating Activities—Cash flows from operating activities are generally determined by the amount and timing of cash received from customers and payments made to vendors, as well as the nature and amount of non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, and pension and other postretirement benefit costs included in net income during a given period. The following items contributed to the net change in cash flows from operations for 2022 compared to 2021 (dollars in millions):
| Increase/ (Decrease) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Net income | $ | (11) |
| Other post retirement benefits settlement gain - non-cash | (11) | |
| Decoupling mechanism deferrals, net of amortization | (40) | |
| Deferral of incremental storm costs in 2021 | 62 | |
| Deferral of incremental wildfire costs | (28) | |
| 2020 Labor Day wildfire earnings test reserve non-cash adjustment to Net income | 15 | |
| Deferral of wildfire mitigation costs | 30 | |
| Accounts receivable and Unbilled revenue | (2) | |
| Margin deposits paid to wholesale counterparties due to natural gas commodity prices | (51) | |
| Accounts payable | 96 | |
| Margin deposits received from wholesale counterparties due to natural gas commodity prices | 24 | |
| Other miscellaneous changes | 58 | |
| Net change in cash flow from operations | $ | 142 |
For additional information regarding changes in Net income, see the Results of Operations section in this Item 7.
Cash provided by operations includes the recovery in customer prices of non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization. The Company estimates that such charges in 2023 will range from $445 million to $465 million.
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Combined with all other sources, cash provided by operations in 2023 is estimated to range from $700 million to $750 million.
Cash provided by operations includes the recovery in customer prices of cash charges related to various long-term contractual obligations such as interest on long-term debt and purchased power and fuel contracts. PGE’s anticipated employer contributions for its defined benefit pension plan and other postretirement plans is $3 million in 2023, $47 million in 2024, $28 million in 2025, $27 million in 2026 and $27 million in 2027. Contributions are expected to be covered by cash provided by operations. For additional information regarding contractual obligations, see Note 16, Commitments and Guarantees, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Cash Flows from Investing Activities—Cash flows used in investing activities consist primarily of capital expenditures related to new construction and improvements to PGE’s distribution, transmission, and generation facilities. The $102 million increase in net cash used in investing activities in 2022 compared with 2021 is primarily due to capital expenditures related to new construction and improvements to PGE’s distribution, transmission, and generation facilities, which increased $130 million, offset by a $9 million decrease related to proceeds from the sale of property and a $21 million decrease in other costs of removal related to the 2021 winter storm restoration.
The Company plans for $1.2 billion of capital expenditures in 2023 related to upgrades to and replacement of generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure. PGE plans to fund the 2023 capital expenditures with cash from operations during 2023, as discussed above, as well as with the issuance of debt and equity securities, and short-term debt as necessary. For additional information, see “Capital Requirements” and “Debt and Equity Financings” in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this Item 7.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities—Financing activities provide supplemental cash for both day-to-day operations and capital requirements as needed. During 2022, cash provided by financing activities consisted primarily of the issuance of a $260 million term loan and funding of $100 million in FMBs. In addition, the Company paid dividends in the amount of $158 million, executed a $18 million common stock repurchase, and received proceeds from the Pelton/Round Butte financing arrangement in the amount of $25 million.
2021 Compared to 2020
For a comparison of liquidity and capital resources and the Company’s cash flow activities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, see Item 7.—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which was filed with the SEC on February 16, 2022.
Credit Ratings and Debt Covenants
PGE’s secured and unsecured debt is rated investment grade by Moody’s and S&P, with current credit ratings and outlook as follows:
| Moody’s | S&P | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Mortgage Bonds | A1 | A | |
| Senior unsecured debt | A3 | BBB+ | |
| Commercial paper | P-2 | A-2 | |
| Outlook | Stable | Stable |
In the event Moody’s and/or S&P reduce their credit rating on PGE’s unsecured debt below investment grade, the Company could be subject to higher fees paid on its revolving credit facility. The Company could also be subject to requests by certain of its wholesale, commodity, and transmission counterparties to post additional performance assurance collateral in connection with its price risk management activities. The performance assurance collateral can be in the form of cash deposits or letters of credit, depending on the terms of the underlying agreements, and are
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based on the contract terms and commodity prices and can vary from period to period. Cash deposits provided as collateral are classified as Margin deposits in PGE’s consolidated balance sheets, while any letters of credit issued are not reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
As of December 31, 2022, PGE had posted $149 million of collateral with these counterparties, consisting of $116 million in cash and $33 million in bank letters of credit. Based on the Company’s energy portfolio, estimates of energy market prices, and the level of collateral outstanding as of December 31, 2022, the amount of additional collateral that could be requested upon a single agency downgrade to below investment grade is $55 million and decreases to $1 million by December 31, 2023. The amount of additional collateral that could be requested upon a dual agency downgrade to below investment grade is $174 million and decreases to $106 million by December 31, 2023 and $74 million by December 31, 2024.
PGE’s financing arrangements do not contain ratings triggers that would result in the acceleration of required interest and principal payments in the event of a ratings downgrade. However, the cost of borrowing and issuing letters of credit under the credit facilities would increase.
The Indenture securing PGE’s outstanding FMBs constitutes a direct first mortgage lien on substantially all regulated utility property, other than expressly excepted property. Interest is payable semi-annually on FMBs. The issuance of FMBs requires that PGE meet earnings coverage and security provisions set forth in the Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust securing the bonds. PGE estimates that on December 31, 2022, under the most restrictive issuance test in the Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust, the Company could have issued up to $599 million of additional FMBs. Any issuances of FMBs would be subject to market conditions and amounts could be further limited by regulatory authorizations or by covenants and tests contained in other financing agreements. PGE also has the ability to release property from the lien of the Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust under certain circumstances, including bond credits, deposits of cash, or certain sales, exchanges, or other dispositions of property.
PGE’s credit facilities contain customary covenants and credit provisions, including a requirement that limits consolidated indebtedness, as defined in the credit agreements, to 65.0% of total capitalization (debt to total capital ratio). As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s debt to total capital ratio, as calculated under the credit agreements, was 56.9%.
Debt and Equity Financings
PGE’s ability to secure sufficient short- and long-term capital at a reasonable cost is determined by its financial performance and outlook, its credit ratings, its capital expenditure requirements, alternatives available to investors, market conditions, and other factors, such as the volatility in the capital markets in response to COVID-19. Management believes that the availability of its revolving credit facility, the expected ability to issue short- and long-term debt and equity securities, and cash expected to be generated from operations provide sufficient cash flow and liquidity to meet the Company’s anticipated capital and operating requirements for the foreseeable future.
Short-term Debt—Pursuant to an order issued by the FERC on January 20, 2022, PGE has authorization to issue short-term debt up to a total of $900 million through February 6, 2024. The following table shows available liquidity as of December 31, 2022 (in millions):
| December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Outstanding | Available | ||||||||
| Revolving credit facility (1) | $ | 650 | $ | — | $ | 650 | ||||
| Letters of credit (2) | 220 | 97 | 123 | |||||||
| Total credit | $ | 870 | $ | 97 | 773 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 165 | |||||||||
| Total liquidity | $ | 938 |
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(1)Scheduled to expire September 2027.
(2)PGE has three letter of credit facilities under which the Company can request letters of credit for an original term not to exceed one year.
In September 2022, PGE amended its existing revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2022, PGE had a $650 million unsecured revolving credit facility scheduled to expire in September 2027. The facility allows for unlimited extension requests, provided that lenders with a pro-rata share of more than 50% of the facility approve the extension request. The revolving credit facility supplements operating cash flows and provides a primary source of liquidity. In addition, the credit facility offers the potential for adjustments to interest rate margins and fees based on PGE’s achievement of certain annual sustainability-linked metrics related to its non-emitting generation capacity and the percentage of management comprised of women and employees who identify as black, indigenous, and people of color. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the revolving credit facility may be used as backup for commercial paper borrowings, to permit the issuance of standby letters of credit, and to provide cash for general corporate purposes. PGE may borrow for one, three, or six months at a fixed interest rate established at the time of the borrowing, or at a variable interest rate for any period up to the then remaining term of the applicable credit facility.
The Company has a commercial paper program under which it may issue commercial paper for terms of up to 270 days, limited to the unused amount of credit under the revolving credit facility. The Company has elected to limit its borrowings under the revolving credit facility to cover any potential need to repay commercial paper that may be outstanding at the time. As of December 31, 2022, PGE had no commercial paper outstanding.
PGE typically classifies borrowings under the revolving credit facility and outstanding commercial paper as Short-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets.
Under the revolving credit facility, as of December 31, 2022, PGE had no borrowings or commercial paper outstanding, and no letters of credit issued. As a result, as of December 31, 2022, the aggregate unused available credit capacity under the revolving credit facility was $650 million.
In addition, PGE has three letter of credit facilities under which the Company has total capacity of $220 million. The issuance of such letters of credit is subject to the approval of the issuing institution. Under these facilities, which are considered off-balance sheet arrangements, letters of credit for a total of $97 million were outstanding as of December 31, 2022. PGE works to optimize its use of its letter of credit facility to manage energy trading margin.
Long-term Debt—During 2022, PGE issued and funded a total of $100 million of FMBs.
On November 30, 2022, PGE entered into a Bond Purchase Agreement related to the sale of $200 million in FMBs. The Bonds consist of:
•a series, due in 2029, in the amount of $100 million that will bear interest at an annual rate of 5.47%; and
•a series, due in 2033, in the amount of $100 million that will bear interest at an annual rate of 5.56%.
The 2029 and 2033 Bonds were issued in 2022 and funded in full on November 30, 2022 and January 13, 2023, respectively.
On October 21, 2022, PGE obtained a 366-day term loan from lenders in the aggregate principal of $260 million under a 366-Day Bridge Credit Agreement. The term loan bears interest for the relevant interest period at the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus Term SOFR Adjustment Rate of 10 basis points and Applicable Margin of 87.5 basis points. The interest rate is subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the loan. The loan is prepayable, in whole or in part, without penalty, at any time. The credit agreement expires on October 22, 2023, with any outstanding balance due and payable on such date. The term loan is classified as Current portion of long-term debt on PGE’s consolidated balance sheet.
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As of December 31, 2022, total long-term debt outstanding, net of $13 million of unamortized debt expense, was $3,646 million, $260 million of which is scheduled to mature in 2023.
Equity—On October 25, 2022, PGE entered into an EFSA in connection with the public offering of 10,100,000 shares of its common stock. Effective October 28, 2022, pursuant to the terms of the EFSA, the forward counterparties borrowed 11,615,000 shares of PGE’s common stock with an initial value of $499 million, including 1,515,000 shares in connection with the underwriters’ exercise of their option to purchase additional shares, from third parties in the open market and sold the shares to a group of underwriters. PGE receives proceeds from the sale of the common stock when the EFSA is physically settled. As of December 31, 2022, PGE had not transacted under the EFSA.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company could have physically settled the EFSA by delivering 11,615,000 shares of PGE common stock to the forward counterparty in exchange for cash of $483 million. The Company anticipates physical settlement of the EFSA by delivery of newly issued shares on or before October 25, 2024. For additional information on the EFSA, see Note 12, Equity-based Plans, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Capital Structure—PGE’s financial objectives include maintaining a common equity ratio (common equity to total consolidated capitalization, including current debt maturities and excluding lease obligations) of approximately 50% over time. Achievement of this objective helps the Company maintain investment grade debt ratings and provides access to long-term capital at favorable interest rates. The Company’s common equity ratio was 43.3% and 45.2% as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires that management apply accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the statements. The following accounting policies represent those that management believes are particularly important to the consolidated financial statements and that require the use of estimates, assumptions, and judgments to determine matters that are inherently uncertain.
Regulatory Accounting
As a rate-regulated enterprise, PGE applies regulatory accounting, which includes the recognition of regulatory assets and liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Regulatory assets represent probable future revenue associated with certain incurred costs that are expected to be recovered from customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory liabilities represent probable future reductions in revenues associated with amounts that are expected to be credited or refunded to customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory accounting is appropriate as long as prices are established or subject to approval by independent third-party regulators, prices are designed to recover the specific enterprise’s cost-of-service, and, in view of demand for service, it is reasonable to assume that prices set at levels that will recover costs can be charged to and collected from customers. Amortization of regulatory assets and liabilities is reflected in the statement of income over the period in which they are included in customer prices.
If future recovery of regulatory assets is not probable, PGE would expense such items in the period such determination is made. Further, if PGE determines that all or a portion of its utility operations no longer meet the criteria for continued application of regulatory accounting, the Company would be required to write off those regulatory assets and liabilities related to operations that no longer meet requirements for regulatory accounting. Discontinued application of regulatory accounting would have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
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For additional information on PGE’s regulatory assets and liabilities, see “Regulatory Matters” in the Overview section in this Item 7., and Note 7, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Asset Retirement Obligations
PGE recognizes AROs for legal obligations related to dismantlement and restoration costs associated with the future retirement of tangible long-lived assets. Upon initial recognition of AROs that are measurable, the probability-weighted future cash flows for the associated retirement costs, discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate, are recognized as both a liability and as an increase in the capitalized carrying amount of the related long-lived assets. Due to the long lead time involved, a market-risk premium cannot be determined for inclusion in future cash flows. In estimating the liability, management must utilize significant judgment and assumptions in determining whether a legal obligation exists to remove assets. Other estimates may be related to lease provisions, ownership agreements, licensing issues, cost estimates, inflation, and certain legal requirements. Estimates for ARO liabilities are generally based on site-specific studies and are periodically subject to updates and changes that may arise over time.
Capitalized asset retirement costs related to electric utility plant are depreciated over the estimated life of the related asset and included in Depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of income. For revisions to ARO liabilities in which the related asset is no longer in service, the corresponding offset is recorded as a Regulatory asset on the consolidated balance sheets, except for those AROs related to non-utility assets which is charged to Depreciation and amortization on the consolidated statements of income. Accretion of the ARO liability is classified as Depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of income. Accumulated asset retirement removal costs that do not qualify as AROs have been reclassified from accumulated depreciation to regulatory liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
As a co-owner of Colstrip, PGE has provided surety bonds, which are considered off-balance sheet arrangements, of $23 million as of December 31, 2022 on behalf of the operator to ensure the operation and maintenance of remedial and closure actions are carried out related to the Administrative Order on Consent Regarding Impacts Related to Wastewater Facilities Comprising the Closed-Loop System at Colstrip Steam Electric Station, Colstrip Montana (the AOC) as required by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. It is possible that each co-owner of Colstrip will be required, at some future point, to post additional financial assurance to support further performance by the operator of closure and remediation actions under the AOC.
For additional information on AROs, see Note 8, Asset Retirement Obligations, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Contingencies
PGE has various unresolved legal and regulatory matters about which there is inherent uncertainty, with the ultimate outcome contingent upon several factors. Such contingencies are evaluated using the best information available. A loss contingency is accrued, and disclosed if material, when it is probable that an asset has been impaired, or a liability incurred, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. If a range of probable loss is established, the minimum amount in the range is accrued, unless some other amount within the range appears to be a better estimate. If the probable loss cannot be reasonably estimated, no accrual is recorded, but the loss contingency and the reasons to the effect that it cannot be reasonably estimated are disclosed. A loss contingency will also be disclosed when it is reasonably possible that a liability has been incurred if the estimate or range of potential loss is material. Established accruals reflect management’s assessment of inherent risks, credit worthiness, and complexities involved in the process. There can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of any particular contingency.
For additional information on contingencies, see Note 19, Contingencies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
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FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000784977-22-000009.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this report includes statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to expectations, beliefs, plans, assumptions and objectives concerning future results of operations, business prospects, loads, outcome of litigation and regulatory proceedings, capital expenditures, market conditions, future events or performance, and other matters. Words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “will likely result,” “will continue,” “should,” or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed. PGE’s expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis including, but not limited to, management’s examination of historical operating trends and data contained either in internal records or available from third parties, but there can be no assurance that PGE’s expectations, beliefs, or projections will be achieved or accomplished.
In addition to any assumptions and other factors and matters referred to specifically in connection with forward-looking statements, factors that could cause actual results or outcomes for PGE to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements include:
•governmental policies, legislative action, and regulatory audits, investigations and actions, including those of the FERC and OPUC with respect to allowed rates of return, financings, electricity pricing and price
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structures, acquisition and disposal of facilities and other assets, construction and operation of plant facilities, transmission of electricity, recovery of power costs, operating expenses, deferrals, timely recovery of costs, and capital investments, and current or prospective wholesale and retail competition;
•economic conditions that result in decreased demand for electricity, reduced revenue from sales of excess energy during periods of low wholesale market prices, impaired financial stability of vendors and service providers and elevated levels of uncollectible customer accounts;
•inflation and interest rates;
•changing customer expectations and choices that may reduce customer demand for its services may impact PGE’s ability to make and recover its investments through rates and earn its authorized return on equity, including the impact of growing distributed and renewable generation resources, changing customer demand for enhanced electric services, and an increasing risk that customers procure electricity from registered ESSs or community choice aggregators;
•the outcome of legal and regulatory proceedings and issues including, but not limited to, the matters described in Regulatory Matters of the “Overview” in this Item 7. and Note 19, Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.— “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K;
•natural or human-caused disasters and other risks, including, but not limited to, earthquake, flood, ice, drought, extreme heat, lightning, wind, fire, accidents, equipment failure, acts of terrorism, computer system outages and other events that disrupt PGE operations, damage PGE facilities and systems, cause the release of harmful materials, cause fires, and subject the Company to liability;
•unseasonable or extreme weather and other natural phenomena, such as the greater size and prevalence of wildfires in Oregon in recent years, which could affect public safety, customers’ demand for power and PGE’s ability and cost to procure adequate power and fuel supplies to serve its customers, PGE’s ability to access the wholesale energy market, PGE’s ability to operate its generating facilities and transmission and distribution systems, the Company’s costs to maintain, repair, and replace such facilities and systems, and recovery of costs;
•PGE’s ability to effectively implement a PSPS and de-energize its system in the event of heightened wildfire risk, which could lead to potential liability if energized systems are involved in wildfires that cause harm;
•operational factors affecting PGE’s power generating facilities and battery storage facilities, including forced outages, unscheduled delays, hydro and wind conditions, and disruption of fuel supply, any of which may cause the Company to incur repair costs or purchase replacement power at increased costs;
•complications arising from PGE’s jointly-owned plant, including changes in ownership, adverse regulatory outcomes or legislative actions, or operational failures that result in legal or environmental liabilities or unanticipated costs related to replacement power or repair costs;
•delays in the supply chain and increased supply costs, failure to complete capital projects on schedule and within budget, failure of counterparties to perform under agreements, or the abandonment of capital projects, any one of which could result in the Company’s inability to recover project costs;
•volatility in wholesale power and natural gas prices that could require PGE to post additional collateral or issue additional letters of credit pursuant to power and natural gas purchase agreements;
•changes in the availability and price of wholesale power and fuels, including natural gas and coal, and the impact of such changes on the Company’s power costs;
•capital market conditions, including availability of capital, volatility of interest rates, reductions in demand for investment-grade commercial paper, as well as changes in PGE’s credit ratings, any of which could have an impact on the Company’s cost of capital and its ability to access the capital markets to support requirements for working capital, construction of capital projects, and the repayments of maturing debt;
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•future laws, regulations, and proceedings that could increase the Company’s costs of operating its thermal generating plants, or affect the operations of such plants by imposing requirements for additional emissions controls or significant emissions fees or taxes, particularly with respect to coal-fired generating facilities, in order to mitigate carbon dioxide, mercury, and other gas emissions;
•changes in, and compliance with, environmental laws and policies, including those related to threatened and endangered species, fish, and wildlife;
•the effects of climate change, whether global or local in nature, including unseasonable or extreme weather and other natural phenomena that may affect energy costs or consumption, increase the Company’s costs, cause damage to PGE facilities and system, or adversely affect its operations;
•changes in residential, commercial, or industrial customer growth, or demographic patterns, in PGE’s service territory;
•the effectiveness of PGE’s risk management policies and procedures;
•cybersecurity attacks, data security breaches, physical security breaches, or other malicious acts that cause damage to the Company’s generation, transmission, or distribution facilities, information technology systems, inhibit the capability of equipment or systems to function as designed or expected, or result in the release of confidential customer, vendor, employee, or Company information;
•employee workforce factors, including potential strikes, work stoppages, transitions in senior management, and the ability to recruit and retain key employees and other talent due to COVID-19 mandates and turnover due to macroeconomic trends such as voluntary resignation of large numbers of employees similar to that experienced by other employers and industries since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic;
•new federal, state, and local laws that could have adverse effects on operating results;
•political and economic conditions;
•the impact of widespread health developments, including the global coronavirus (COVID–19) pandemic, and responses to such developments (such as voluntary and mandatory quarantines, including government stay at home orders, as well as shut downs and other restrictions on travel, commercial, social, and other activities), which could materially and adversely affect, among other things, demand for electric services, customers’ ability to pay, supply chains, personnel, contract counterparties, liquidity and financial markets;
•changes in financial or regulatory accounting principles or policies imposed by governing bodies; and
•acts of war or terrorism.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by law, PGE undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors or assess the impact of any such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
OVERVIEW
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to provide an understanding of the business environment, results of operations, and financial condition of PGE. MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements contained in this report, and other periodic and current reports filed with the SEC.
PGE is a vertically-integrated electric utility engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. In addition, the Company participates in the wholesale market by purchasing and selling electricity and natural gas in an effort to meet the needs of, and obtain reasonably-priced power for, its retail customers. PGE is committed to developing products and service offerings for the benefit of retail and wholesale
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customers. The Company generates revenues and cash flows primarily from the sale and distribution of electricity to retail customers in its service territory.
Company Strategy
The Company exists to power the advancement of society. PGE energizes lives, strengthens communities, and fosters energy solutions that promote social, economic, and environmental progress. The Company is committed to being a clean energy leader and delivering steady growth and returns to shareholders. PGE is focused on working with customers, communities, policy makers, and other stakeholders to deliver affordable, safe, reliable electricity service to all, while increasing opportunities to deliver clean and renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and responding to evolving customer expectations. At the same time, the Company is building an increasingly smart, integrated, and interconnected grid that spans from residential customers to other utilities within the region. PGE is transforming all aspects of its business to empower its workforce to be even more results oriented to serve customers well. To create a clean energy future, PGE is focused on the following strategic initiatives:
•Decarbonize the power supply by reducing GHG emissions associated with the power served to customers by at least 80% by 2030, and achieving zero GHG emissions associated with the power served to customers by 2040;
•Electrify other sectors of the economy like transportation and buildings that are also transforming to reduce GHG emissions; and
•Perform by improving work efficiency, safety of our coworkers, and reliability of our systems and equipment, all while adhering to the Company’s earnings per diluted share growth guidance of 4-6% on average.
Climate change
State-mandated GHG reduction targets— In June 2021, the Oregon legislature passed HB 2021, establishing a 100% clean electricity by 2040 framework for PGE and other investor-owned utilities and electric service suppliers in the state. A number of provisions in the bill align with PGE’s strategic direction, and highlight Oregon’s ambitious, economy-wide goals to combat climate change. The GHG reduction targets applicable to these regulated entities are an 80% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2040 and every year thereafter. For more information regarding HB 2021 and the baseline to which the target reductions apply, see the “Environmental Laws and Regulations” section within this Overview.
In response to the state of Oregon’s GHG reduction targets to combat climate change, PGE estimates by 2030 it will need to acquire approximately 1,500 to 2,000 MW of clean and renewable resources and approximately 800 MW of non-emitting dispatchable capacity resources. For more information see “The Resource Planning Process” within Investing in a clean energy future section of this Overview.
The Climate Pledge—On April 21, 2021, PGE joined The Climate Pledge, a commitment to be net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040, which is a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s goal of 2050. As a signatory to The Climate Pledge, PGE agrees to: i) measure and report GHG emissions on a regular basis; ii) implement decarbonization strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business changes and innovations, including efficiency improvements, renewable energy, materials reductions, and other carbon emission elimination strategies; and iii) neutralize any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent, and socially-beneficial offsets.
Empowering customers and communities—PGE’s customers are committed to purchasing clean energy, as over 235 thousand residential and small commercial customers voluntarily participate in PGE’s Green Future Program, the largest renewable power program by participation in the nation. In 2017, Oregon’s most populous city, Portland, and most populous county, Multnomah, each passed resolutions to achieve 100 percent clean and renewable electricity by 2035 and 100 percent economy-wide clean and renewable energy by 2050. Other jurisdictions in PGE’s service area continue to consider similar goals.
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In response, the Company implemented a new customer service option, the GFI Program, which allows for 100 MW of PGE-provided PPAs for renewable resources and up to 200 MW of customer-provided renewable resources. Approved by the OPUC in the first quarter of 2019, the program provides business customers access to bundled renewable attributes from those resources. On March 29, 2021, the OPUC issued an order that expanded the program by 200 MW and provided for the possibility of PGE ownership of the underlying renewable resources under certain conditions. Through this voluntary program, the Company seeks to align sustainability goals, cost and risk management, and reliable integrated power while providing customer choice and a cleaner energy system.
In December 2021, the OPUC issued an order, which approved a petition to increase capacity under the customer-provided renewable resources by 250 MW, which would bring the total available capacity under the program to 750 MW.
Extreme weather—In recent years, PGE’s territory has experienced unprecedented heat, historic ice and snowstorms, and wildfires. In June 2021, temperatures in the region reached all-time recorded highs, shattering the Company’s previous peak load demand, and surpassing the prior summer peak load by nearly 12% (see the Operating Activities section of this Overview for more information on the impacts to PGE’s results of operation). In February 2021, PGE’s service territory experienced an ice storm, which led to historical levels of customer power outages, and caused considerable expense for service restoration and damage repair (see “February 2021 Ice Storms and Damage” of the Regulatory Matters section of this Overview for more information on the impact to PGE’s results of operation). In 2020, Oregon experienced one of the most destructive wildfire seasons on record, with over one million acres of land burned (see “Wildfire” of the Regulatory Matters section of this Overview for more information on the impact to PGE’s results of operation). The increase and severity of extreme weather events highlights the importance of combating the effects of climate change through decarbonizing the power supply and investing in a more reliable and resilient grid.
Investing in a clean energy future
Building a resilient grid— Recent extreme weather events driven by changes to global systems affecting rainfall patterns and seasonal snow cover in the region have impacted PGE’s customers significantly, and the frequency and severity of these events are accelerating. PGE’s grid of the future is increasingly smart and adaptive, so that the electric service its customers depend on remains reliable even under uncertain and extreme conditions. For example, the Company uses wireless smart sensors and centrally controlled automated switches to help isolate disruptions and more quickly reroute power, preventing or shortening disruptions. In the field, PGE uses advanced data analytics to optimize system investments and maintenance. The Company is updating its design standards, so that smart sensors and switches are constructed to withstand more extreme weather, particularly in high-risk wildfire areas. Highlights of PGE’s key investments and plans for building a resilient grid are as follows:
•Integrated Operations Center (IOC) — In the fourth quarter of 2021, PGE placed in-service the IOC with a total investment of $175 million, including an allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC). The IOC will centralize mission-critical operations, including those that are planned as part of the integrated grid strategy. This secure, resilient facility will include infrastructure to support and enhance grid operations and co-locate primary support functions. Acting as the nerve center of PGE's system, the IOC will enable the Company to apply smart technologies to keep an increasingly complex set of clean energy resources operating efficiently. The system integrations at the IOC will strengthen physical and cyber security of the system to meet critical infrastructure standards, such as seismic and other natural disaster readiness, with the aim of achieving greater reliability with fewer and shorter outages.
•Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) – In the fourth quarter of 2021, PGE placed in-service a new software platform called the ADMS with a total investment of $30 million. The ADMS is designed to allow the Company to reduce outages by proactively detecting and responding to issues before they impact customers and providing self-healing technology for restoring power.
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•Distribution System Plan (DSP) - PGE filed its inaugural DSP on October 15, 2021, which lays out plans to build a grid that empowers customers to make energy management choices to support decarbonization and supports a two-way energy ecosystem with resources like batteries, two-way EV charging, and solar panels where communities—especially underserved Oregonians—need them.
The Resource Planning Process—PGE’s resource planning process includes working with customers, stakeholders, and regulators to chart the course toward a clean, affordable, and reliable energy future. This process includes consideration of customer expectations and legislative mandates to move away from fossil fuel generation and toward renewable and clean sources of energy. PGE’s 2016 IRP process resulted in the development of the following renewable resources:
•Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility—In 2018, the Company issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking to procure approximately 100 average megawatts (MWa) of qualifying renewable resources. The prevailing bid was Wheatridge, an energy facility in eastern Oregon that will combine 300 MW of wind generation and 50 MW of solar generation with 30 MW of battery storage. Construction on the solar and battery components is ongoing and expected to be completed in early 2022. PGE owns 100 MW of the wind resource, which was placed in-service in the fourth quarter of 2020. Subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC own the balance of the wind resource, along with the solar and battery components, and will sell their portion of the output to PGE.
In May 2020, the OPUC issued an order that acknowledged the Company’s 2019 IRP and the Action Plan for PGE to undertake over the next four years to acquire the resources identified. The order also required that PGE consider resources in the Renewable and Capacity RFPs in a co-optimized manner. PGE had requested authorization to pursue up to approximately 700 MW of capacity contribution by 2025 from a combination of renewables, existing resources, and new non-emitting dispatchable capacity resources, such as energy storage. As a result, the following resources were procured:
•Douglas County PUD—PGE entered into an agreement with Douglas County PUD during 2020 to supply the Company additional capacity from facilities including the Wells Hydroelectric Project, located on the Columbia River in central Washington. With a start date of January 1, 2021, the five-year agreement is expected to contribute between 100 and 160 MW toward a capacity need that PGE identified in its 2019 IRP; and
•CTWS—As of December 31, 2021, PGE had a 66.67% ownership interest in the 455 MW Pelton/Round Butte hydroelectric project on the Deschutes River, with the remaining interest held by the CTWS. The CTWS had an option to purchase an additional undivided 16.66% ownership interest in Pelton/Round Butte in 2021, and closed on the purchase of this incremental undivided ownership interest on January 1, 2022. As a result, PGE’s ownership interest in the project is 50.01%. Also on June 30, 2021, PGE executed a 16-year PPA with the CTWS that would commence in 2025 to purchase 100% of their current, and potential future, share of the project’s output. For more information see “CTWS” within Purchased Power in the Power Supply section of Item 1.—“Business.”
To meet the remaining capacity need identified in the 2019 IRP, the Company is seeking to procure both renewable and non-emitting, dispatchable resources in an All-Source RFP. PGE estimates that it will need to nearly triple the amount of clean and renewable energy currently serving customers to meet the Company’s 2030 emissions reduction target, in addition to removing coal from its portfolio. As a result, PGE estimates by 2030 it will need approximately 1,500 to 2,000 MW of clean and renewable resources and approximately 800 MW of non-emitting dispatchable capacity resources. PGE is working to exit Colstrip by the end of 2025. On October 15, 2021, PGE initiated its 2021 All-Source RFP public process, seeking approximately 1,000 MW of renewable and non-emitting resources. PGE will work with the OPUC to evaluate the opportunity to procure additional resources through this RFP, with a potential target of getting up to one-third of the clean resources needed to meet the 2030 emissions reduction target. The All-Source RFP seeks:
•Renewables—PGE expects to bring on approximately 375 to 500 MW of renewable resources;
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•Non-emitting capacity—PGE will also be seeking approximately 375 MW on non-emitting dispatchable capacity resources that can be used on the hottest or the coldest days of the year; and
•GFI Program—PGE expects to procure a resource or resources for the Company’s GFI Program through the 2021 All-Source RFP. Under the GFI Program, PGE can procure up to 100 MW of a new wind, solar, or hybrid renewable and battery storage resource to meet subscriber demand under the PGE supply option. The Company does not expect GFI Program resources considered in the 2021 All-Source RFP to contribute towards the cost-of-service 150 MWa energy cap envisioned under the 2019 IRP Action Plan, although that is subject to OPUC discretion.
Renewable resources in PGE’s 2021 All-Source RFP must be RPS eligible, qualify for the federal PTC or the federal Investment Tax Credit, and pass the cost-containment screen. All resources (dispatchable or renewable) must be online by the end of 2024, with certain exceptions for long-lead time pumped hydro resources.
PGE issued the final RFP after receiving approval from the OPUC in December 2021, with a submission deadline for proposals in January 2022. The RFP seeks to add 375 to 500 MW of renewables and 375 MW of non-emitting capacity by the end of 2024. Among the conditions, the OPUC will require PGE to consider bid submissions that would propose to repower existing generation resources. Bids will be evaluated based on the OPUC-approved scoring methodology. Following determination of a final shortlist, PGE plans to file for acknowledgement during April 2022 with a final selection in June.
On October 15, 2021, PGE filed an extension waiver for the next IRP, which the OPUC approved. As a result, the next IRP would be filed for OPUC consideration by March 31, 2023.
Electrify other sectors of the economy—PGE is working toward an equitable, safe, and clean energy future. Recent and future enhancements to the grid to enable a seamless platform include:
•The use of electricity in more applications such as electric vehicles and heat pumps;
•The integration of new, geographically-diverse energy markets;
•The deployment of new technologies like energy storage, communications networks, automation and control systems for flexible loads, and distributed generation;
•The development of connected neighborhood microgrids and smart communities; and
•The use of data and analytics to better predict demand and support energy-saving customer programs.
The Company is also working to advance transportation electrification, partnering with local mass transit agencies to transition to a greater use of electric vehicles, and developing projects aimed at improving accessibility to electric vehicle charging stations. In June 2019, the Oregon Legislature enacted Oregon Senate Bill 1044, which establishes Oregon’s zero-emissions vehicle goals in statute at 250 thousand zero-emission vehicle sales by 2025 and 90% of all new vehicle sales to be zero-emission by 2035. In September 2019, PGE filed with the OPUC its first Transportation Electrification plan, which considers current and planned activities, along with both existing and potential system impacts, in relation to the State’s carbon reduction goals. In October 2020, the OPUC approved the plan and related costs and revenues associated with the Transportation Electrification and Electric Vehicle Charging pilot programs. In 2021, the Oregon legislature enacted House Bill 2165, ensuring the OPUC has clear and broad authority to allow electric company investments in infrastructure to support transportation electrification.
PGE also partnered with Daimler Trucks North America to open Electric Island, a first-of-its-kind heavy-duty electric truck charging site. The project is also one of the first sites deployed in the multi-utility, I-5 transit Corridor Project that will install heavy duty electric vehicle charging stations along I-5 from Canada to Mexico. In addition, PGE is working with the City of Portland to install charging systems on existing power poles, and the Company helped bring the first electric school buses to Oregon’s roads.
Environmental Laws and Regulations
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House Bill 2021—In June 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed HB 2021, which requires retail electricity providers to reduce GHG emissions associated with electricity sold to Oregon consumers to 80% below baseline emissions levels by 2030, 90% below baseline emissions levels by 2035, and 100% below baseline emissions levels by 2040. The baseline period for the investor-owned utilities is the average annual GHG emissions for the years 2010, 2011, and 2012 associated with the electricity sold to retail electricity consumers as reported to Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ).
Utilities must develop a clean energy plan (CEP) for meeting the targets concurrent with the development of each IRP. In reviewing the CEP, the OPUC must ensure that utilities demonstrate continual progress and are taking actions as soon as practicable that facilitate rapid reduction of GHG emissions at reasonable costs to retail electricity consumers. The OPUC is also given authority to apply a performance incentive for early compliance with one or more of the clean energy targets.
Regulated entities will continue to report annual GHG emissions to ODEQ, as they do today. In compliance years, which are 2030, 2035, and 2040 and every year thereafter, the OPUC will use the data reported to ODEQ for that compliance year to determine whether the reduction targets are met. In determining compliance, if the utility has emissions in excess of the target, the OPUC must take into consideration emissions attributable to meeting load if the utility experienced unexpected challenges, such as transmission constraints or under-production from hydro and other renewable resources. The bill also includes certain compliance exceptions to protect customers, such as cost caps and mandatory reliability standards.
The legislation also:
•Aligns with PGE decarbonization goals while protecting affordability and reliability;
•Establishes clear decarbonization authority for the OPUC, including authority over ESSs;
•Modernizes competition provisions of Oregon’s electricity restructuring law from 1999, Oregon Senate Bill 1149 (SB 1149),
•Provides clear authority and process for a community-wide green tariff program for customers 30 kilowatts and smaller and allows utilities the ability to earn a return on investments in program resources, and
•Codifies non-bypassability of costs to ensure all customers pay their share of HB 2021 policy costs.
Governor Executive Orders—In March 2020, the Governor of Oregon issued an executive order directing state agencies to seek to reduce and regulate GHG emissions. As the Governor is limited by current statutory authority, the executive order did not include a market-based mechanism as envisioned by the cap and trade legislation introduced in prior legislative sessions.
Among other things, the executive order:
•Directed state agencies to integrate climate change and the State’s GHG emissions reduction goals into their planning, budgets, investments, and decisions to the extent allowed by law.
•Directed the OPUC to—
▪determine whether utility portfolios and customer programs reduce risks and costs to utility customers by making rapid progress towards reducing GHG emissions consistent with Oregon’s reduction goals;
▪encourage electric companies to support transportation electrification infrastructure that supports GHG emissions reductions and zero-emission vehicle goals; and
▪prioritize proceedings and activities that advance decarbonization in the utility sector and exercise its broad statutory authority to reduce GHG emissions, mitigate energy burden on utility customers, and ensure reliability and resource adequacy.
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•Directed the ODEQ to adopt a program to cap and reduce GHG emissions from large stationary sources, transportation fuels, and other liquid or gaseous fuels including natural gas. The ODEQ adopted such a program, referred to as the Climate Protection Plan, on December 16, 2021; and
•More than doubled the reduction goals of the state’s Clean Fuels Program and extended the program, from the previous rule that required a ten percent reduction in average carbon intensity of fuels from 2015 levels by 2025, to a 25 percent reduction below 2015 levels by 2035.
RPS Standards and Other Laws—In 2016, SB 1547 set a benchmark for how much electricity must come from renewable sources and required the elimination of coal from Oregon utility customers’ energy supply no later than 2030 (subject to an exception that allowed extension of this date until 2035 for PGE’s output from Colstrip).
Other provisions of the law include:
•An increase in RPS thresholds to 27% by 2025, 35% by 2030, 45% by 2035, and 50% by 2040;
•A limitation on the life of renewable energy credits (RECs) generated from facilities that become operational after 2022 to five years, but continued unlimited lifespan for all existing RECs and allowance for the generation of additional unlimited RECs for a period of five years for projects online before December 31, 2022; and
•An allowance for energy storage costs related to renewable energy in the Company’s RAC filings.
In response to SB 1547, the Company filed a tariff request in 2016 to accelerate recovery of PGE’s investment in Colstrip from 2042 to 2030. In January 2020, the owners of Colstrip Units 1 and 2 permanently retired those two units. Although PGE has no direct ownership interest in those two units, the Company does have a 20% ownership share in Colstrip Units 3 and 4, which utilize certain common facilities with Units 1 and 2.
Although PGE is currently scheduled to recover the costs of Colstrip by 2030, some co-owners of Units 3 and 4 have sought approval to recover their costs sooner in their respective jurisdictions. In December 2021, the OPUC approved PGE’s depreciation study (OPUC Docket UM 2152), which will accelerate depreciation on Colstrip through December 31, 2025. Depreciation rates will change and customer collection would coincide with the price effective date of the Company’s pending 2022 General Rate Case (2022 GRC). For further information on the 2022 GRC, see “General Rate Case” in the “Regulatory Matters” section of this Overview. The Company continues to evaluate its ongoing investment in Colstrip, including the possibility of PGE’s exit from the facility. See Note 19, Contingencies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for information regarding legal proceedings related to Colstrip.
Any reduction in generation from Colstrip has the potential to provide capacity on the Colstrip Transmission facilities, which stretch from eastern Montana to near the western end of that state to serve markets in the Pacific Northwest and neighboring states. PGE has a 15% ownership interest in, and capacity on, the Colstrip Transmission facilities. Renewable energy development might benefit from any excess transmission capacity that may become available.
As previously planned, in October 2020, PGE ceased coal-fired operation at its Boardman generating plant and has begun decommissioning activities.
For a more comprehensive review of Environmental Matters, see “Environmental Matters” in Item 1.—Business.
Regulatory Matters
PGE focuses on providing reliable, clean power to customers at affordable prices while providing a fair return to investors. To achieve this goal the Company must execute effectively within its regulatory framework and maintain
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prudent management of key financial, regulatory, and environmental matters that may affect customer prices and investor returns. The following discussion provides detail on such matters.
General Rate Case—On July 9, 2021, PGE filed with the OPUC a general rate case based on a 2022 test year. The filing requests an increase in PGE's annual revenue requirement that, when combined with changes in supplemental schedules, results in an overall average increase of approximately 3.9% in customer prices for 2022. The net price increase and annual revenue requirement includes a 2.0% average price increase as a result of higher net variable power costs expected in 2022, as reflected in the AUT filed with the OPUC in April 2021. The GRC filing seeks recovery of base business investments in upgrading the grid to improve reliability, resiliency, and capability to deliver safe, reliable, clean electricity to customers.
PGE has invested heavily in its transmission and distribution system to meet the needs of customers by addressing new and growing load and strengthening the grid for new challenges with extreme weather and wildfires. These investments include needed pole and underground wire replacements, substation upgrades, and other additions, as well as the new IOC and ADMS software platform (see “Building a resilient grid” section of Investing in a clean energy future within this Overview.)
The GRC also reflects significant investments geared toward protecting the lives and property of Oregonians. As Oregon’s weather gets hotter and drier, increasing the risk of catastrophic wildfires, the Company is intensifying efforts to keep the system safe from wildfire-related events and resilient from weather and disaster-related crises. Key to these efforts are expansion of the vegetation management program and system hardening to help mitigate potential outages arising from wildfire and severe weather year-round.
The proposed net increase in annual revenue requirement in the 2022 GRC was based upon:
•A capital structure of 50% debt and 50% equity;
•A return on equity of 9.5%;
•A cost of capital of 6.94%; and
•A rate base of $5.7 billion.
PGE, OPUC staff, and certain customer groups reached an agreement that resolves cost of capital issues and allows for:
•A capital structure of 50% debt and 50% equity;
•A return on equity of 9.5%; and
•A cost of capital of 6.83%, which reflects updates for actual and forecasted debt costs.
In addition, on January 18, 2022, PGE, OPUC staff, and certain customer groups filed a stipulation with the OPUC reflecting an agreement that resolves the annual revenue requirement, average rate base, and corresponding increase authorized in customer prices. Certain elements of the case remain unsettled.
The latest agreement reflects a final revenue requirement that is based upon an average rate base of $5.6 billion and an annual revenue requirement increase of $74 million consisting of the following changes (in millions):
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| As filed (includes $40 million related to Net Variable Power Costs) | $ | 99 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Load and Net Variable Power Cost Updates | 16 | |||
| Base Business Revenue Requirement Updates: | ||||
| Faraday hydro capital-related revenue requirement (1) | (18) | |||
| Cost of debt settlement including reductions to reflect actual financing costs | (7) | |||
| Level III outage annual regulatory accrual (2) | (7) | |||
| Other reductions to rate base and O&M | (5) | |||
| Other various modifications to reflect actual costs | (4) | |||
| Subtotal | (41) | |||
| As revised (includes $64 million related to Net Variable Power Costs) (3) | $ | 74 |
(1) The Faraday improvement capital project will not be placed in-service as of May 9, 2022, and the capital-related revenue requirement has been removed and will be addressed in future ratemaking proceedings. As of December 31, 2021, the CWIP balance associated with Faraday was $109 million, including AFUDC.
(2) PGE is authorized to collect annually from retail customers to cover incremental expenses related to major storm damages, and to defer any amount not utilized in the current year. In the 2022 GRC, the Company requested an annual collection increase from $4 million to $11 million, and agreed to retain the annual collection at $4 million.
(3) Total revenue requirement increase to base rates is $83 million, of which $9 million is not considered incremental as it is already included in current customer prices.
Further, the agreement with parties would eliminate PGE’s decoupling mechanism upon the effective date of new customer prices pursuant to this case. In 2022, estimated collections from, or refunds to, customers will be pro-rated based on the effective date of new customer prices per the 2022 GRC and expected to be amortized in customer prices in 2024 over a one-year period. The decoupling mechanism provides a means of recovery or refund of margin lost or gained as a result of changes in weather-adjusted energy use per customer in comparison to levels projected in customer prices. For further information on the decoupling mechanism, see “Decoupling” in this Overview section.
All the agreements remain subject to OPUC approval. PGE will continue to work with parties throughout this proceeding to resolve all remaining unsettled elements of the case.
PGE has proposed that new customer prices become effective May 9, 2022. Price changes for the AUT and the supplemental schedule items occurred January 1, 2022.
Regulatory review of the 2022 GRC will continue, with a final OPUC order expected to be issued by April 2022. Management cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the case.
More information about the 2022 GRC filing (OPUC Docket UE 394) is available on the OPUC Internet website at www.oregon.gov/puc.
COVID-19 Impacts—The COVID-19 pandemic has had a variety of adverse impacts on economic activity. The Company has responded to the hardships many customers are facing and has taken steps to support its customers and communities, including temporarily suspending disconnections and late fees during the crisis, developing time payment arrangements, and partnering with local non-profits to soften the impacts on small businesses and low-income residential customers. As a result of these activities and economic hardships, PGE has experienced an increase in bad debt expense, lost revenue, and other incremental costs.
In March 2020, PGE filed an application with the OPUC for deferral of lost revenue and certain incremental costs, such as bad debt expense, related to COVID-19. The application requested the ability to defer incremental costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic but did not specify the precise scope of the deferral, or the means by which PGE would recover deferred amounts. PGE, other utilities under the OPUC’s jurisdiction, intervenors, and OPUC staff held discussions regarding the scope of costs incurred by utilities that may qualify for deferral under
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Docket UM 2114. The result of such discussions was an Energy Term Sheet (Term Sheet), which dictates costs in scope for deferral but is silent to the timing of recovery of such costs. In September 2020, the OPUC adopted a proposed OPUC Staff motion for Staff to execute stipulations incorporating the terms of the Term Sheet. PGE’s deferral application was approved by the OPUC in October 2020 with final stipulations for the Term Sheet approved in November 2020.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, PGE recorded a $26 million net increase to its COVID-19 deferral. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, PGE’s deferred balance was $36 million and $10 million, respectively, comprised primarily of bad debt expense in excess of what is currently considered and collected in customer prices. Incremental bad debt expense was $29 million for the year ending 2021. Amortization of any deferred costs will remain subject to OPUC review prior to amortization in customer prices and would be subject to an earnings review.
PGE believes the full amount of the 2020 and 2021 deferrals is probable of recovery as the Company’s prudently incurred costs were in response to the unique nature of the COVID-19 pandemic health emergency. The OPUC has significant discretion in making the final determination of recovery. The OPUC’s conclusion of overall prudence, including an earnings review, could result in a portion, or all, of PGE’s deferral being disallowed for recovery. Such disallowance would be recognized as a charge to earnings.
In June 2020, the FERC issued a waiver that provides that, for the 12-month period starting March 2020, jurisdictional utilities may apply an alternative AFUDC calculation formula that excludes the actual outstanding short-term debt balance and replaces it with the simple average of the actual 2019 short-term debt balance. The purpose of the waiver is to allow relief to utilities that issued short-term debt in response to the COVID-19 emergency and the detrimental impacts the issuance of short-term debt has on the allowance for equity funds used during construction. PGE adopted the waiver in the second quarter of 2020 and retrospectively applied its provisions as of March 2020. On February 23, 2021, FERC issued an order extending the waiver an additional seven months, to be effective March 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021. On September 21, 2021, FERC issued an additional order to further extend the waiver through March 31, 2022. PGE has adopted all waiver extensions.
Wildfire—In 2020, Oregon experienced one of the most destructive wildfire seasons on record, with over one million acres of land burned. PGE’s wildfire mitigation planning includes regular system-wide risk assessment, which led to the identification and activation of a PSPS in a zone near Mt. Hood that was identified as a region at high risk of wildfire in 2020. Additionally, in response to wildfires across Oregon in 2020, PGE cut power to eight additional high-risk fire areas in partnership with local and regional agencies. The Oregon Department of Forestry has opened an investigation into the causes of wildfires in Clackamas County. The Company has received a subpoena and is fully cooperating. The Company is not aware of any wildfires caused by PGE equipment.
The Company is intensifying efforts on its system to increase wildfire safety and resiliency to weather and other disaster-related crises. These efforts include enhanced tree and brush clearing, replacing equipment, and making emergency plans in close partnership with local, state, and federal land and emergency management agencies to further expand the use of a PSPS, if the need should arise. Pursuant to Oregon Senate Bill 762, which was passed in June 2021, PGE submitted a risk-based wildfire protection plan to the OPUC in December 2021.
PGE continues to incur costs to replace and rebuild PGE facilities damaged by the fires that occurred in 2020, as well as addressing fire-damaged vegetation and other resulting debris and hazards both in and outside of PGE’s property and right-of-way. In October 2020, the OPUC formally approved PGE’s request for deferral of such costs. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, PGE’s cumulative deferred costs related to the wildfire response was $45 million and $15 million, respectively. PGE continues to assess the damage to its infrastructure and expects regulatory recovery of prudently incurred restoration costs. PGE believes the full amount of the 2020 and 2021 deferrals is probable of recovery as the Company’s prudently incurred costs were in response to the unique and unprecedented nature of the wildfire events leading to the deferral. The OPUC has significant discretion in making the final determination of recovery. The OPUC’s conclusion of overall prudence, including an earnings review,
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could result in a portion, or all, of PGE’s deferral being disallowed for recovery. Such disallowance would be recognized as a charge to earnings.
February 2021 Ice Storms and Damage—Beginning on February 11, 2021, an historic set of storms involving heavy snow, winds and ice impacted the United States, including PGE’s service territory. On February 13, 2021, Oregon’s Governor declared a state of emergency due to severe winter weather that resulted in heavy snow and ice accumulation, high winds, critical transportation failures, and loss of power and communications capabilities. The wind and ice from the storms caused significant damage to PGE’s transmission and distribution systems, which resulted in over 750,000 outages, with many customers affected more than once. At peak activity during the recovery, PGE deployed over 400 repair crews across the service territory, with many of these crews provided through mutual aid arrangements from throughout the West.
Through December 31, 2021, PGE has incurred an estimated $105 million in incremental costs due to the storms, of which $36 million were capital and recorded to Electric utility plant, net and $69 million were operating expenses associated with transmission and distribution. Beginning in 2019, the OPUC authorized the Company to collect $4 million annually from retail customers to cover incremental expenses related to major storm damages, and to defer any amount not utilized in the current year. In response to the February storms, PGE exhausted its storm collection balance for 2021 of $9 million, which was used to offset operating expenses. In December 2021, PGE and parties in the 2022 GRC reached a settlement, subject to OPUC approval, to restore the storm collection balance for the $9 million used in 2021 and to defer the resulting balance of $9 million into the February 2021 ice storm and damage regulatory asset.
On February 15, 2021, PGE filed an application for authorization to defer emergency restoration costs for the February storms (Docket UM 2156) and as of December 31, 2021, the Company has deferred a total of $67 million, including interest, related to incremental operating expenses due to the storms. PGE incurred and deferred costs related to replacing and rebuilding PGE facilities damaged by the storms, as well as addressing vegetation and other resulting debris and hazards both in and outside of PGE’s property and right-of-way. PGE expects an OPUC decision on the February storms deferral in the first quarter of 2022. While the Company believes the full amount of the deferral is probable of recovery given PGE’s prudently incurred costs were in response to the unique and unprecedented nature of the storms, the OPUC has significant discretion in making the final determination of recovery. The OPUC’s conclusion of overall prudence, including an earnings review, could result in a portion, or all, of PGE’s deferral being disallowed for recovery.
Declared states of emergency—On September 22, 2021, the OPUC issued an order that approved a pre-authorized deferral of costs associated with declared states of emergency. Qualifying events would include federal or state declared emergencies with impacts on PGE’s service territory. Previously the Company had to file a request for deferred accounting when an event of that nature occurred, and had to seek OPUC approval of such deferred accounting applications to be effective. With this order, PGE would provide notice of an event that qualifies within 30 days of the declared state of emergency and would not need to seek OPUC approval to use deferred accounting to track incremental costs related to the emergency. The OPUC maintains responsibility to review utility requests to amortize deferred amounts in customer prices including a review of utility prudence in a future proceeding, among other requirements. As of December 31, 2021, PGE has not recorded any costs under this deferral order.
Power Costs—Pursuant to the AUT process, PGE annually files an estimate of power costs for the following year. As approved by the OPUC, the 2021 AUT included a final increase in power costs for 2021, and a corresponding increase in annual revenue requirement, of $66 million from 2020 levels, which were reflected in customer prices effective January 1, 2021. The 2022 AUT contains a $64 million increase in NVPC that will be recovered in customer prices beginning January 1, 2022. For 2021, actual NVPC was above baseline NVPC by $62 million, which was outside the established deadband range. Pursuant to the PCAM and related earnings test, as of December 31, 2021, PGE has deferred $29 million, which represents 90% of the excess variance expected to be collected from customers. See “Power Operations” within this Overview section of Item 7 for more information regarding the PCAM.
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Portland Harbor Environmental Remediation Account (PHERA) Mechanism—The EPA has listed PGE as one of over one hundred PRPs related to the remediation of the Portland Harbor Superfund site. As of December 31, 2021, significant uncertainties still remained concerning the precise boundaries for clean-up, the assignment of responsibility for clean-up costs, the final selection of a proposed remedy by the EPA, and the method of allocation of costs amongst PRPs. It is probable that PGE will share in a portion of these costs. In a Record of Decision issued in 2017, the EPA outlined its selected remediation plan for clean-up of the Portland Harbor site, which had an estimated total cost of $1.7 billion. Stakeholders have raised concerns that EPA’s cost estimates are understated, and PGE estimates undiscounted total remediation costs for Portland Harbor per the ROD could range from $1.9 billion to $3.5 billion. The Company does not currently have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the amount, or range, of its potential costs for investigation or remediation of Portland Harbor. However, the Company may obtain sufficient information, prior to the final determination of allocation percentages among PRPs, to develop a reasonable estimate, or range, of its potential liability that would require recording an estimate, or low end of the range. The Company’s liability related to the cost of remediating Portland Harbor could be material to PGE’s financial position. The impact of such costs to the Company’s results of operations is mitigated by the PHERA mechanism. As approved by the OPUC, the Company’s recovery mechanism allows the Company to defer and recover estimated liabilities and incurred environmental expenditures related to the Portland Harbor Superfund Site through a combination of third-party proceeds, including, but not limited to, insurance recoveries, and customer prices, as necessary. The mechanism established annual prudency reviews of environmental expenditures and third-party proceeds, and annual expenditures in excess of $6 million, excluding contingent liabilities, are subject to an annual earnings test. PGE’s results of operations may be impacted to the extent such expenditures are deemed imprudent by the OPUC or disallowed per the prescribed earnings test. For further information regarding the PHERA mechanism, see “EPA Investigation of Portland Harbor” in Note 19, Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Decoupling—The decoupling mechanism, authorized by the OPUC through 2022, is intended to provide for recovery of margin lost as a result of a reduction in electricity sales attributable to energy efficiency, customer-owned generation, and conservation efforts by residential and certain commercial customers. The mechanism provides for collection from (or refund to) customers if weather-adjusted use per customer is less (or more) than that projected in the Company’s most recent general rate case.
Collections under the decoupling mechanism are subject to an annual limitation of 2% of revenues for each eligible customer class, based on the net prices in effect for the applicable tariff schedule at the time of collection. For collections recorded in 2021, the 2% limit will be applied to the net prices for the applicable tariff schedules that will be in effect on January 1, 2023. The Company reached its 2021 limit for collection from commercial customers during the third quarter of 2021. No limit exists for any potential refunds under the decoupling mechanism, thus increased demand from residential customers since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in larger estimated refunds under the decoupling mechanism, which have largely offset the revenue increases that have resulted from higher residential demand.
In the 2022 GRC, parties reached an agreement that would eliminate PGE’s decoupling mechanism upon the effective date of new customer prices pursuant to the case, which are expected to begin in May 2022. Subject to approval by the OPUC, which is expected in a final order by April 2022, deferrals would cease, although amortization of previously recorded deferrals would continue as scheduled until collected or refunded in future customer prices.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded an estimated refund of $17 million and a collection of $7 million from residential and commercial customers, respectively, that resulted from variances between actual weather-adjusted use per customer and that projected in the 2019 GRC. The Company continues to see higher weather-adjusted use per customer from residential customers that are spending more time at home and lower use per customer from commercial customers that are adversely affected by COVID-19.
At December 31, 2020, PGE had recorded a total refund of $6 million that will be refunded to customers over a one-year period, which began January 1, 2022.
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Deferral of Boardman Revenue Requirement—In October 2020, intervenors filed a deferral application with the OPUC that would require PGE to defer and refund the revenue requirement associated with Boardman currently included in customer prices as established in the Company’s 2019 GRC. The application states a deferral is required for customers to adequately capture the reduction in revenue requirement beginning on October 15, 2020, the date Boardman ceased operations. On October 7, 2021, intervenors filed a motion with the OPUC requesting to consolidate the open Boardman deferral docket with PGE’s open 2022 GRC docket. Combining the dockets would provide an avenue under which the OPUC could make a separate decision on the issues associated with the Boardman deferral within PGE’s 2022 GRC docket. PGE objected to the request by intervenors on the basis that the two dockets are not similar enough to warrant consolidation and would have the effect of expanding the scope and complicating the 2022 GRC proceeding. The Administrative Law Judge denied the consolidation, although did provide an opportunity to use the 2022 GRC proceeding to settle any issues with deferrals. How the Boardman deferral will be resolved in relation to the 2022 GRC proceeding remains uncertain and management is currently unable to predict the outcome. PGE continues to work with the OPUC and parties to establish an appropriate schedule and process to allow for a fair determination of the Boardman deferral and the 2022 GRC.
Pursuant to the deferral application, PGE estimates the potential deferral to be $14 million for the period ended December 31, 2020 plus an additional $66 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, PGE has not recorded a regulatory liability pursuant to this deferral application as the Company believes its current prices are just and reasonable in light of PGE’s continued substantial investments in utility plant. The costs of these continued investments, which are not currently reflected in customer prices, more than offset the revenue requirement for Boardman. If the OPUC authorizes a refund, PGE would record a regulatory liability with a corresponding charge to earnings.
Depreciation Study—In December 2021, PGE received an OPUC order approving revised depreciation rates based on 2019 data. The new rates will be incorporated in PGE’s 2022 GRC and expected to be effective May 9, 2022.
The OPUC order also approved the acceleration of depreciation expense and corresponding recovery on Colstrip generation assets from December 31, 2030 to December 31, 2025. The resulting depreciation rates are expected to go into effect when new customer prices go into effect in May 2022, in conjunction with the 2022 GRC.
The order also includes cost recovery of $4 million for updated ARO-related decommissioning costs related to PGE’s T.W. Sullivan hydro generating facility. In 2020, PGE had updated its ARO costs resulting in cumulative ARO expenses of $4 million being recognized. At the time PGE did not establish a regulatory asset, as probability of recovery in the depreciation study was not yet considered probable. Because the OPUC’s order on the depreciation study includes recovery of the ARO, PGE established a regulatory asset and ARO balancing account, resulting in a credit to earnings of $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. For more information on PGE’s AROs, see Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in this Item 7., and see Note 8, Asset Retirement Obligations in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Renewable Recovery Framework—As previously authorized by the OPUC, a primary method available to recover costs associated with renewable resources is the RAC. The RAC allows PGE to recover prudently incurred costs of renewable resources through filings made by April 1st each year. In the 2019 GRC Order, the OPUC authorized the inclusion of prudent costs of energy storage projects associated with renewables in future RAC filings to be made to the OPUC, under certain conditions. There have been no significant filings made under the RAC during 2021.
Operating Activities
In combination with electricity provided by PGE’s own generation portfolio, to meet retail load requirements and balance energy supply with customer demand, the Company purchases and sells electricity in the wholesale market. The Company also performs portfolio management and wholesale market sales services for third parties in the region. PGE participates in the western EIM, which allows the Company to, among other things, integrate more
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renewable energy into the grid by better matching the variable output of renewable resources. PGE is committed to developing products and service offerings for the benefit of retail and wholesale customers. PGE also purchases natural gas in the United States and Canada to fuel its generation portfolio and sells excess gas back into the wholesale market.
The Company generates revenues and cash flows primarily from the sale and distribution of electricity to its retail customers. The impact of seasonal weather conditions on demand for electricity can cause the Company’s revenues, cash flows, and income from operations to fluctuate from period to period. Historically, PGE has experienced its highest MWa deliveries and retail energy sales during the winter heating season, although instances of peak deliveries have increased during the summer months, generally resulting from air conditioning demand. During the summer of 2021, demand reached a new all-time high, surpassing the previous mark, which was a winter peak. See “Seasonality” in the Customers and Revenues section in Item 1.—“Business.” for further information regarding seasonal fluctuations. Retail customer price changes and customer usage patterns, which can be affected by the economy and recently, by changes due to COVID-19 restrictions, also have an effect on revenues. Wholesale power availability and price, hydro and wind generation, and fuel costs for thermal and gas plants can also affect income from operations.
Customers and Demand—The following tables present total energy deliveries and the average number of retail customers by customer type for 2021 and 2020.
| Energy deliveries (MWh in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | % Increase/ (Decrease) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail: | ||||||||||||
| Residential | 7,978 | 7,756 | 2.9 | % | ||||||||
| Commercial (PGE sales only) | 6,604 | 6,222 | 6.1 | |||||||||
| Direct Access | 589 | 633 | (7.0) | |||||||||
| Total Commercial | 7,193 | 6,855 | 4.9 | |||||||||
| Industrial (PGE sales only) | 3,714 | 3,446 | 7.8 | |||||||||
| Direct Access | 1,647 | 1,486 | 10.8 | |||||||||
| Total Industrial | 5,361 | 4,932 | 8.7 | |||||||||
| Total (PGE sales only) | 18,296 | 17,424 | 5.0 | |||||||||
| Total Direct Access | 2,236 | 2,119 | 5.5 | |||||||||
| Total retail energy deliveries | 20,532 | 19,543 | 5.1 | % | ||||||||
| Wholesale energy deliveries | 5,946 | 5,794 | 2.6 | |||||||||
| Total energy deliveries | 26,478 | 25,337 | 4.5 | % |
| Average number of retail customers | 2021 | 2020 | % Increase/ (Decrease) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 800,372 | 88 | % | 791,119 | 88 | % | 1.2 | % | |||||||
| Commercial | 111,062 | 12 | 110,290 | 12 | 0.7 | ||||||||||
| Industrial | 191 | — | 194 | — | (1.5) | ||||||||||
| Direct access | 584 | — | 634 | — | (7.9) | ||||||||||
| Total | 912,209 | 100 | % | 902,237 | 100 | % | 1.1 | % |
In 2021, retail energy deliveries increased 5.1% from 2020, with increases reflected in all three customer classes, as the region experienced a recovery from the COVID-19 downturn seen in 2020. Commercial and industrial classes experienced growth associated with economic recovery and, with COVID-19 variants continuing to impact consumer behavior, residential usage remained elevated.
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In March 2020, the Governor of Oregon issued an order directing residents to stay at home except for essential activity and mandating closure of businesses for which close personal contact would be difficult or impossible to avoid. The Company saw a shift in retail demand in response, beginning with the second quarter of 2020. In particular, residential loads increased as a larger percentage of the population spent more time at home, whether working from home, providing child-care due to school closures, or lacking employment as commercial activity slowed. Conversely, commercial energy deliveries declined as many businesses were disrupted in an attempt to maintain social distancing or have closed as a result of the lack of business as residents followed directives from state and federal authorities. The majority of state and local mandates were lifted by mid-2021, allowing for commercial recovery to begin, however as COVID-19 variants impacted communities in 2021, impacts to energy deliveries, particularly increases in residential average usage remain.
Residential energy deliveries, which are most sensitive to fluctuations in temperatures, were 2.9% higher in 2021 than 2020, due to a 1.7% increase in average usage per customer, which resulted largely from warmer summer temperatures, and a 1.2% increase in the average number of customers. In 2021, the Company’s service territory experienced warmer temperatures during the cooling season than in 2020, indicating higher demand for cooling.
Commercial energy deliveries increased 4.9% overall with widespread increases across PGE’s customer base as many sectors impacted by COVID-19 related closures and economic conditions, including government and education, miscellaneous commercial, and lodging, began to recover.
Industrial energy deliveries increased 8.7% in 2021 due to continued strength in the high-tech manufacturing sector.
Total heating degree-days, an indication of electricity use for heating, in 2021 were 7% below the 15-year average although fairly consistent overall with total heating degree-days in 2020. Total cooling degree-days, a similar indication of the extent to which customers are likely to have used electricity for cooling, in 2021, exceeded the 15-year average by 52% and were 40% above the 2020 total. The following table presents the number of heating and cooling degree-days in 2021 and 2020, along with the current 15-year averages, reflecting the influence that weather had on comparative energy deliveries, most notably in the 2nd and 3rd quarters:
| Heating Degree-Days | Cooling Degree-Days | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 15-Year Average | 2021 | 2020 | 15-Year Average | |||||||||||
| 1st quarter | 1,805 | 1,761 | 1,847 | — | — | — | ||||||||||
| 2nd quarter | 498 | 554 | 629 | 238 | 99 | 93 | ||||||||||
| 3rd quarter | 54 | 47 | 74 | 600 | 492 | 455 | ||||||||||
| 4th quarter | 1,471 | 1,474 | 1,570 | — | 9 | 2 | ||||||||||
| Total | 3,828 | 3,836 | 4,120 | 838 | 600 | 550 | ||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) from the 15-year average | (7) | % | (7) | % | 52 | % | 9 | % |
On a weather-adjusted basis, total retail deliveries increased 4.0% from 2020. The increase was driven by an 8.5% growth in industrial deliveries and 4.2% growth in commercial energy deliveries, in addition to a 1.0% increase in weather-adjusted deliveries to residential customers, which was driven by the growth in customer count. PGE expects retail energy deliveries for 2022 will continue to be impacted by COVID-19 related behavioral changes. PGE projects that retail energy deliveries for 2022 will be 2.0 to 2.5% above 2021 weather-adjusted levels, reflecting strength in industrial deliveries, and impacts associated with COVID-19 early in the year, and unwinding of such impacts later in the year.
ESSs supplied Direct Access customers with energy representing 11% of the Company’s total retail energy deliveries during 2021 and 2020. The maximum retail load allowed to be supplied under the fixed three-year and minimum five-year opt-out programs represent 13% of the Company’s total retail energy deliveries for 2021. With
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the adoption of the New Large Load Direct Access program in 2020, as much as 18% of the Company’s 2021 energy deliveries could have been supplied by ESSs.
Power Operations—PGE utilizes a combination of its own generating resources and wholesale market transactions to meet the energy needs of its retail customers. Based on numerous factors, including plant availability, customer demand, river flows, wind conditions, and current wholesale prices, the Company continuously makes economic dispatch decisions in an effort to obtain reasonably-priced power for its retail customers. PGE also purchases wholesale natural gas in the United States and Canada to fuel its generating portfolio and sells excess gas back into the wholesale market. As a result, the amount of power generated and purchased in the wholesale market to meet the Company’s retail load requirement can vary from period to period and impacts NVPC and income from operations.
The following table provides information regarding the performance of the Company’s generation portfolio.
| Plant availability (1) | Actual energy provided compared to projected levels (2) | Actual energy provided as a percentage of total retail load | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Thermal: | |||||||||||||||
| Natural gas | 89 | % | 92 | % | 114 | % | 74 | % | 48 | % | 43 | % | |||
| Coal (3) | — | 99 | 103 | 83 | 11 | 17 | |||||||||
| Wind | 92 | 94 | 110 | 117 | 12 | 11 | |||||||||
| Hydro | 83 | 86 | 73 | 71 | 6 | 7 |
(1)Plant availability represents the percentage of the year plants were available for operations, which is impacted by planned maintenance and forced, or unplanned, outages.
(2)Projected levels of energy are included as part of PGE’s AUT. Such projections establish the power cost component of retail prices for the following calendar year. Any shortfall is generally replaced with power from higher cost sources, while any excess generally displaces power from higher cost sources.
(3)Plant availability excludes Colstrip, which PGE does not operate. Colstrip availability was 81% in 2021, compared with 74% in 2020. Boardman ceased coal-fired generation on October 15, 2020.
Energy received from PGE-owned and jointly-owned thermal plants in 2021 compared to 2020 remained materially consistent. In 2021, production at the Company’s natural gas-fired plants increased to help meet retail load demands and offset a decrease in coal-fired generation as a result of Boardman ceasing operation in October 2020. Energy expected to be received from thermal resources is projected annually in the AUT based on forecast market prices, variable costs to run the plant, and the constraints of the plant. PGE’s thermal generating plants require varying levels of annual maintenance, which is generally performed during the second quarter of the year.
Total energy received from all hydroelectric sources, both PGE-owned generation and purchased, increased 14% in 2021 compared to 2020. Energy received from mid-Columbia and other regional hydroelectric projects increased 22% in 2021 due to new PPAs in place in 2021 as compared to 2020. The energy generated by the Company-owned facilities decreased 11% due to less favorable hydro conditions in 2021. Energy expected to be received from hydroelectric resources is projected annually in the AUT based on a modified hydro study, which utilizes 80 years of historical stream flow data. See “Purchased power and fuel” in the Results of Operations section in this Item 7, for further detail on regional hydro results.
Energy received from PGE-owned wind resources and under contracts increased 30% in 2021 compared to 2020 primarily due to the addition of Wheatridge during the fourth quarter of 2020 and more favorable wind conditions. Energy expected to be received from wind generating resources is projected annually in the AUT based on historical generation. Wind generation forecasts are developed using a 5-year rolling average of historical wind levels or forecast studies when historical data is not available.
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Under the PCAM, PGE may share with customers a portion of cost variances associated with NVPC. Customer prices can be adjusted annually to absorb a portion of the difference between the forecasted NVPC included in customer prices (baseline NVPC) and actual NVPC for the year, if such differences exceed a prescribed “deadband” limit, which ranges from $15 million below to $30 million above baseline NVPC. To the extent actual NVPC, subject to certain adjustments, is outside the deadband range, the PCAM provides for 90% of the excess variance to be collected from, or refunded to, customers. Pursuant to a regulated earnings test, a refund will occur only to the extent that it results in PGE’s actual regulated return on equity (ROE) for the given year being no less than 1% above the Company’s latest authorized ROE, while a collection will occur only to the extent that it results in PGE’s actual regulated ROE for that year being no greater than 1% below the Company’s authorized ROE. The following is a summary of the results of the Company’s PCAM as calculated for regulatory purposes for 2021 and 2020:
•For 2021, actual NVPC was above baseline NVPC by $62 million, which was outside the established deadband range. Pursuant to the PCAM, as PGE’s preliminary regulatory ROE was below 8.5% pursuant to the related earnings test, as of December 31, 2021, PGE has deferred $29 million, which represents 90% of the excess variance expected to be collected from customers. A final determination regarding the 2021 PCAM results will be made by the OPUC through a public filing and review in 2022. The OPUC has significant discretion in making the final determination of recovery. The OPUC’s conclusion of overall prudence, including an earnings review, could result in a portion, or all, of PGE’s deferral being disallowed for recovery. Such disallowance would be recognized as a charge to earnings.
•For 2020, excluding certain trading losses totaling $127 million, for which PGE did not pursue recovery from customers, actual NVPC was below baseline NVPC by $13 million, which was within the established deadband range. Accordingly, no estimated refund to customers was recorded as of December 31, 2020. A final determination regarding the 2020 PCAM results was made by the OPUC through a public filing and review in 2021, which confirmed no refund to customers pursuant to the PCAM for 2020. For further information regarding trading losses, see “Actual NVPC” in the Results of Operations section of this Item 7.
The AUT filing, which serves to reset the baseline NVPC for PCAM purposes, indicated that a $79 million increase was expected in 2021 over 2020. The 2022 AUT anticipates a $64 million increase in NVPC that will be recovered in customer prices beginning January 1, 2022.
Results of Operations
The following tables provide financial and operational information to be considered in conjunction with management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations.
The results of operations are as follows for the years presented (dollars in millions):
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| Years Ended December 31, | % Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Amount | Amount | |||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 2,396 | $ | 2,145 | 12 | % | ||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||
| Purchased power and fuel | 822 | 708 | 16 | |||||||
| Generation, transmission and distribution | 310 | 293 | 6 | |||||||
| Administrative and other | 336 | 283 | 19 | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 404 | 454 | (11) | |||||||
| Taxes other than income taxes | 146 | 138 | 6 | |||||||
| Total operating expenses | 2,018 | 1,876 | 8 | |||||||
| Income from operations | 378 | 269 | 41 | |||||||
| Interest expense, net * | 137 | 136 | 1 | |||||||
| Other income: | ||||||||||
| Allowance for equity funds used during construction | 17 | 16 | 6 | |||||||
| Miscellaneous income, net | 9 | 6 | 50 | |||||||
| Other income, net | 26 | 22 | 18 | |||||||
| Income before income taxes | 267 | 155 | 72 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 23 | — | — | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 244 | $ | 155 | 57 | % |
* Includes an allowance for borrowed funds used during construction of $8 million in both 2021 and 2020.
2021 Compared to 2020
Net income for 2021 increased $89 million from 2020. While customer growth continues, increases in revenues from retail energy deliveries and wholesale sales were largely offset by higher Purchased power and fuel expenses, particularly during the third quarter of 2021, after removing the impact of the previously reported energy trading losses of $127 million from the 2020 results. The Company benefited from the sale of excess natural gas back into the wholesale market, the addition of Wheatridge to the generation portfolio, and interest income on Regulatory Assets. Higher Administrative and general expenses reflect increases for employee wage and benefit expenses and outside services, including labor. Generation, transmission and distribution expenses increased largely from wildfire mitigation efforts, vegetation management, and storm restoration expenses.
Total revenues consist of the following for the years presented (in millions):
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| 2021 | 2020 | % Increase (Decrease) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail: (1) | ||||||||||
| Residential | $ | 1,118 | $ | 1,030 | 9 | % | ||||
| Commercial | 690 | 616 | 12 | |||||||
| Industrial | 250 | 218 | 15 | |||||||
| Direct Access | 47 | 46 | 2 | |||||||
| Subtotal | 2,105 | 1,910 | 10 | |||||||
| Alternative revenue programs, net of amortization | (29) | (6) | 383 | |||||||
| Other accrued revenues, net (2) | 2 | 28 | (93) | |||||||
| Total retail revenues | 2,078 | 1,932 | 8 | |||||||
| Wholesale revenues | 255 | 162 | 57 | |||||||
| Other operating revenues | 63 | 51 | 24 | |||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 2,396 | $ | 2,145 | 12 | % |
| (1) | Includes both revenues from customers who purchase their energy supplies from the Company and revenues from the delivery of energy to those customers that purchase their energy from ESSs. Commercial revenues from ESS customers were $18 million for 2021 and 2020. Industrial revenues from ESS customers were $29 million and $28 million for 2021 and 2020, respectively. |
|---|---|
| (2) | Amount for the year ended December 31, 2020 is primarily comprised of $24 million of amortization, including interest, related to the net tax benefits due to the change in corporate tax rate under the TCJA. |
Total retail revenues—The following items contributed to the increase in Total retail revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2020 | $ | 1,932 |
|---|---|---|
| Retail energy deliveries driven by higher industrial demand, the impact of COVID-19 resulting in higher residential demand, and the increase due to the effects of weather | 94 | |
| Increase as a result of the AUT, approved by the OPUC, for higher anticipated power costs | 67 | |
| Increase due to the RAC, as approved by the OPUC for Wheatridge placed into service | 23 | |
| Alternative revenue programs related to the decoupling mechanism deferrals due to increased residential use per customer resulting from COVID-19 | (7) | |
| Combination of various supplemental tariffs and adjustments | (12) | |
| Average price of energy deliveries due primarily to variation in usage among customer classes resulting from COVID-19 | (19) | |
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | $ | 2,078 |
| Change in Total retail revenues | $ | 146 |
Wholesale revenues result from sales of electricity to utilities and power marketers made in the Company’s efforts to secure reasonably priced power for its retail customers, manage risk, and administer its current long-term wholesale contracts. Such sales can vary significantly from year to year as a result of economic conditions, power and fuel prices, hydro and wind availability, and customer demand.
In 2021, a $93 million, or 57%, increase from 2020 in wholesale revenues resulted from an $89 million increase from a 53% increase in average prices received when the Company sold power into the wholesale market and a $4 million increase related to a 3% increase in wholesale sales volume. Wholesale prices for electricity increased as a result of more extreme weather experienced during 2021 than was typical for the region, less hydro generation, and reduced regional capacity.
Other operating revenues increased $12 million, or 24%, in 2021 from 2020, primarily as a result of a $9 million increase due to market conditions that provided more revenue from the resale of natural gas back into the wholesale
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market in excess of amounts needed for the Company’s generation portfolio. Natural gas prices were considerably higher in the first quarter of 2021 due in part to the impact of unusual weather events on the demand for natural gas.
Purchased power and fuel expense includes the cost of power purchased and fuel used to generate electricity to meet PGE’s retail load requirements, as well as the cost of settled electric and natural gas financial contracts.
The following items contributed to the increase in Purchased power and fuel for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 (dollars in millions, except for average variable power cost per MWh):
| Year ended December 31, 2020 | $ | 708 |
|---|---|---|
| Average variable power cost per MWh | 99 | |
| Total system load | 44 | |
| PCAM deferral | (29) | |
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | $ | 822 |
| Change in Purchased power and fuel | $ | 114 |
| Average variable power cost per MWh: | ||
| Year ended December 31, 2020 | $ | 29.14 |
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | $ | 33.63 |
| Total system load (MWh in thousands): | ||
| Year ended December 31, 2020 | 24,286 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | 25,295 |
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the $99 million increase related to the change in average variable power cost per MWh was primarily driven by a 20% increase in the average cost for purchased power due largely to purchases made at peak market prices to meet customer demand during the summer, partially offset by a 2% decrease in the average cost of power from the Company’s own generation. The $43 million increase related to total system load was primarily due to a 9% increase in purchased power, driven largely by increased customer demand due to weather and load growth, as well as a 1% increase in the company’s own generation.
PGE’s sources of energy, total system load, and retail load requirement for the years presented are as follows:
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| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Sources of energy (MWh in thousands): | |||||||||||
| Generation: | |||||||||||
| Thermal: | |||||||||||
| Natural gas | 9,306 | 37 | % | 8,029 | 33 | % | |||||
| Coal | 2,060 | 8 | 3,232 | 13 | |||||||
| Total thermal | 11,366 | 45 | 11,261 | 46 | |||||||
| Hydro | 1,073 | 4 | 1,204 | 5 | |||||||
| Wind | 2,316 | 9 | 2,111 | 9 | |||||||
| Total generation | 14,755 | 58 | 14,576 | 60 | |||||||
| Purchased power: | |||||||||||
| Hydro* | 4,789 | 19 | 3,936 | 16 | |||||||
| Wind* | 989 | 4 | 426 | 2 | |||||||
| Solar* | 501 | 2 | 414 | 2 | |||||||
| Natural Gas | 63 | — | 38 | — | |||||||
| Waste, Wood and Landfill Gas* | 167 | 1 | 174 | 1 | |||||||
| Source not specified | 4,031 | 16 | 4,722 | 19 | |||||||
| Total purchased power | 10,540 | 42 | 9,710 | 40 | |||||||
| Total system load | 25,295 | 100 | % | 24,286 | 100 | % | |||||
| Less: wholesale sales | (5,946) | (5,794) | |||||||||
| Retail load requirement | 19,349 | 18,492 |
*Includes power received from PURPA qualifying facilities of 15 MWh in 2021 and 17 MWh in 2020 from Hydro resources, 30 MWh in 2021 and 33 MWh in 2020 from Wind resources, 472 MWh in 2021 and 383 MWh in 2020 from Solar resources, and 102 MWh in 2021 and 93 MWh in 2020 from Waste, Wood and Landfill Gas resources.
The following table presents the forecasted April-to-September 2022 and actual April-to-September 2021 and 2020 runoff at particular points of major rivers relevant to PGE’s hydro resources:
| Runoff as a Percent of Normal* | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | 2022 Forecast | 2021 Actual | 2020 Actual | |||||
| Columbia River at The Dalles, Oregon | 105 | % | 82 | % | 104 | % | ||
| Mid-Columbia River at Grand Coulee, Washington | 108 | 89 | 109 | |||||
| Clackamas River at Estacada, Oregon | 97 | 70 | 75 | |||||
| Deschutes River at Moody, Oregon | 97 | 84 | 86 |
* Volumetric water supply forecasts and historical averages for the Pacific Northwest region are prepared by the Northwest River Forecast Center, with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and other cooperating agencies.
Actual NVPC, which consists of Purchased power and fuel expense net of Wholesale revenues, increased $21 million in 2021 compared with 2020. The increase attributable to changes in Purchased power and fuel expense was the result of a 15% increase in the average variable power cost per MWh and a 4% increase in total system load. The increase in actual NVPC was also a result of the 53% higher average price per MWh sold and a 3% increase in the volume of wholesale energy deliveries.
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The following items contributed to the increase in Actual NVPC for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2020 | $ | 546 |
|---|---|---|
| Purchased power and fuel expense | 143 | |
| Wholesale revenues | (93) | |
| PCAM Deferral | (29) | |
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | 567 | |
| Change in NVPC | $ | 21 |
For further information regarding NVPC in relation to the PCAM, see “Power Operations” in the Overview section of this Item 7.
Energy Trading—PGE personnel entered into a number of energy trades during 2020, resulting in significant exposure to the Company. In August 2020, a portion of energy trading positions in PGE’s energy portfolio experienced significant losses as wholesale electricity prices increased substantially at various market hubs due to extreme weather conditions, constraints to regional transmission facilities, and changes in power supply in the West. During this time period, the CAISO declared a Stage 3 Electrical Emergency and ordered the first rolling blackouts in the state of California since 2001. As a result of the convergence of these conditions, the Company’s energy portfolio experienced realized losses of $127 million on these positions in 2020. PGE did not pursue recovery of the energy trading losses, and the increase in net variable power costs due to this trading activity was recognized in PGE’s results of operations. PGE no longer has net market exposure from the energy trading positions that led to these losses.
Generation, transmission, and distribution
The following items contributed to the $17 million or 6% increase in Generation, transmission and distribution for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2020 | $ | 293 |
|---|---|---|
| Decrease primarily due to lower maintenance expense as the result of reduced run hours and lower long-term service agreement costs at some of the Company’s generation facilities | (20) | |
| Higher storm restoration and wildfire risk mitigation expenses | 19 | |
| Higher vegetation management and line maintenance expenses | 8 | |
| Miscellaneous expenses | 10 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | 310 | |
| Change in Generation, transmission and distribution | $ | 17 |
PGE deferred $69 million of incremental costs for year ended December 31, 2021, related to February 2021 ice storm damage in PGE’s service territory. See the “Overview” section of this Item 7., for more information.
Administrative and other
The following items contributed to the $53 million or 19% increase in Administrative and other for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 (in millions):
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| Year ended December 31, 2020 | $ | 283 |
|---|---|---|
| Higher professional and contracted services | 23 | |
| Wage and benefits expenses | 20 | |
| Miscellaneous expenses | 10 | |
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | 336 | |
| Change in Administrative and other | $ | 53 |
In 2021, PGE experienced higher Generation, transmission, and distribution and Administrative and other expenses due to inflation in labor and other operating expenses. The Company believes it is reasonably likely that this trend may continue in 2022 and could have a material impact on its results of operations. PGE’s ongoing focus on cost management and operational efficiencies is expected to help mitigate inflation.
Depreciation and amortization
The following items contributed to the $50 million or 11% decrease in Depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to year ended December 31, 2020 (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2020 | $ | 454 |
|---|---|---|
| ARO revisions | (28) | |
| Capital retirements, net of additions | (12) | |
| Activity related to regulatory programs (offset elsewhere on the income statement) | (10) | |
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | 404 | |
| Change in Depreciation and amortization | $ | (50) |
See “Depreciation Study” within “Regulatory Matters” in the Overview section of this Item 7., for more information regarding revisions made to non-utility AROs.
Taxes other than income taxes expense increased $8 million, or 6%, in 2021 compared with 2020, primarily due to higher Oregon property taxes and franchise fees.
Interest expense increased $1 million, or 1%, in 2021 compared with 2020 driven by higher average balances of outstanding debt.
Other income, net increased $4 million, or 18%, in 2021 compared to 2020, with the difference driven by higher regulatory interest income on deferred asset balances as well as higher AFUDC equity driven by higher construction work-in-progress balances in 2021.
Income tax expense increased $23 million in 2021 compared to 2020 primarily driven by higher pre-tax income. The increase was partially offset by a cumulative catch-up adjustment recorded in the first quarter of 2021 to defer and recognize a regulatory asset for previously recorded deferred income tax expenses on a certain local flow-through tax, as well as regulatory amortizations. See Note 12, Income Taxes, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.— “Financial Statements,” for more information.
2020 Compared to 2019
For a comparison of the Company’s results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 to the year ended December 31, 2019, see Item 7.—” Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 19, 2021.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Discussions, forward-looking statements, and projections in this section, and similar statements in other parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are subject to PGE’s assumptions regarding the availability and cost of capital. See “Capital and credit market conditions could adversely affect the Company’s access to capital, cost of capital, and ability to execute its strategic plan.” in Item 1A.—“Risk Factors,” for further information.
Capital Requirements
The following table presents actual capital expenditures and debt maturities for 2021 and projected capital expenditures and future debt maturities for 2022 through 2026 (in millions, excluding AFUDC):
| Years Ending December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |||||||||||||||||
| Ongoing capital expenditures (1) | $ | 620 | $ | 625 | $ | 650 | $ | 650 | $ | 650 | $ | 650 | ||||||||||
| Integrated Operations Center | 60 | 35 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Total capital expenditures (2) | $ | 680 | $ | 660 | $ | 650 | $ | 650 | $ | 650 | $ | 650 | ||||||||||
| Long-term debt maturities | $ | 160 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 80 | $ | — | $ | — |
(1) Consists primarily of upgrades to, and replacement of, generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, as well as new customer connects. Includes accrued capital additions, preliminary engineering, removal costs, and certain intangible working capital assets.
(2) Amounts subsequent to 2021 are estimates as of the date of this report and may be affected by economic conditions, including but not limited to, impacts of inflation, changes to the cost of materials and labor, and financing costs.
During 2021, PGE funded its capital expenditures through a combination of cash from operations in the amount of $532 million, and net proceeds from the issuance of FMBs in the total amount of $400 million. Capital expenditures in 2022 are expected to be $660 million. PGE plans to fund the 2022 capital expenditures with cash from operations during 2022, which is expected to range from $575 million to $625 million, the issuance of debt securities of up to $250 million, and the issuance of commercial paper, as needed. The actual timing and amount of any other issuances of debt or commercial paper will be dependent upon the timing and amount of capital expenditures. For a discussion concerning PGE’s ability to fund its future capital requirements, see “Debt and Equity Financings” in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this Item 7.
Liquidity
PGE’s access to short-term debt markets, including revolving credit from banks, helps provide necessary liquidity to support the Company’s current operating activities, including the purchase of power and fuel. Long-term capital requirements are driven largely by capital expenditures for distribution, transmission, and generation facilities to support both new and existing customers, information technology systems, and debt refinancing activities. PGE’s liquidity and capital requirements can also be significantly affected by other working capital needs, including margin deposit requirements related to wholesale market activities, which can vary depending upon the Company’s forward positions and the corresponding price curves.
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The following summarizes PGE’s cash flows for the periods presented (in millions):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | $ | 257 | $ | 30 | ||
| Net cash provided by (used in): | ||||||
| Operating activities | 532 | 567 | ||||
| Investing activities | (656) | (787) | ||||
| Financing activities | (81) | 447 | ||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | (205) | 227 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | $ | 52 | $ | 257 |
2021 Compared to 2020
Cash Flows from Operating Activities—Cash flows from operating activities are generally determined by the amount and timing of cash received from customers and payments made to vendors, as well as the nature and amount of non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, and pension and other postretirement benefit costs included in net income during a given period. The following items contributed to the net change in cash flows from operations for 2021 compared to 2020 (dollars in millions):
| Increase/ (Decrease) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Increase in Net income due primarily to energy trading losses in 2020 | $ | 89 |
| Decrease in Depreciation and amortization due to retirements and ARO revisions in 2020 | (50) | |
| Increase related to Deferred income taxes | 28 | |
| Change in Decoupling mechanism deferrals, net of amortization | 23 | |
| Amortization of Tax Reform refunds in 2020 and not in 2021 | 23 | |
| Decrease related to Deferral of incremental storm costs | (67) | |
| Decrease related to Deferral of incremental wildfire costs | (15) | |
| Decrease as a result of changes in Accounts receivable and Unbilled revenue | (40) | |
| Increase for Accounts payable primarily due to the timing of payments to vendors | 35 | |
| Increase as a result of net Margin activity | 21 | |
| Decrease due to changes in Other working capital | (38) | |
| Other miscellaneous changes | (44) | |
| Net change in cash flow from operations | $ | (35) |
For additional information regarding changes in Net income, see the Results of Operations section in this Item 7.
Cash provided by operations includes the recovery in customer prices of non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization. The Company estimates that such charges in 2022 will range from $420 million to $440 million. Combined with all other sources, cash provided by operations in 2022 is estimated to range from $575 million to $625 million.
Cash provided by operations includes the recovery in customer prices of cash charges related to various long-term contractual obligations such as interest on long-term debt and purchased power and fuel contracts. PGE’s anticipated employer contributions for its defined benefit pension plan and other postretirement plans is $3 million per year for the years ending 2022 through 2026. Contributions are expected to be covered by cash provided by operations. For additional information regarding contractual obligations, see Note 16, Commitments and Guarantees, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
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Cash Flows from Investing Activities—Cash flows used in investing activities consist primarily of capital expenditures related to new construction and improvements to PGE’s distribution, transmission, and generation facilities. The $131 million decrease in net cash used in investing activities in 2021 compared with 2020 is primarily due to Wheatridge being constructed and placed in-service in 2020, partially offset by an increase in capital expenditures related to the IOC and winter storm restoration.
The Company plans for $660 million of capital expenditures in 2022 related to upgrades to and replacement of generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure. PGE plans to fund the 2022 capital expenditures with cash from operations during 2022, as discussed above, as well as with the issuance of long-term debt securities, and short-term debt as necessary. For additional information, see “Capital Requirements” and “Debt and Equity Financings” in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this Item 7.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities—Financing activities provide supplemental cash for both day-to-day operations and capital requirements as needed. During 2021, cash provided by financing activities consisted primarily of the issuance of $400 million of FMBs. In addition, the Company issued a $200 million short-term loan, made payments on short-term debt in the amount of $350 million, paid dividends in the amount of $150 million, and executed a $12 million common stock repurchase.
2020 Compared to 2019
For a comparison of liquidity and capital resources and the Company’s cash flow activities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, see Item 7.—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which was filed with the SEC on February 19, 2021.
Credit Ratings and Debt Covenants
PGE’s secured and unsecured debt is rated investment grade by Moody’s and S&P, with current credit ratings and outlook as follows:
| Moody’s | S&P | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Mortgage Bonds | A1 | A | |
| Senior unsecured debt | A3 | BBB+ | |
| Commercial paper | P-2 | A-2 | |
| Outlook | Stable | Stable |
In the event Moody’s and/or S&P reduce their credit rating on PGE’s unsecured debt below investment grade, the Company could be subject to requests by certain of its wholesale, commodity, and transmission counterparties to post additional performance assurance collateral in connection with its price risk management activities. The performance assurance collateral can be in the form of cash deposits or letters of credit, depending on the terms of the underlying agreements, and are based on the contract terms and commodity prices and can vary from period to period. Cash deposits provided as collateral are classified as Margin deposits in PGE’s consolidated balance sheets, while any letters of credit issued are not reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
As of December 31, 2021, PGE had posted $55 million of collateral with these counterparties, consisting of $37 million in cash and $18 million in bank letters of credit. Based on the Company’s energy portfolio, estimates of energy market prices, and the level of collateral outstanding as of December 31, 2021, the amount of additional collateral that could be requested upon a single agency downgrade to below investment grade is $62 million and decreases to $36 million by December 31, 2022. The amount of additional collateral that could be requested upon a dual agency downgrade to below investment grade is $129 million and decreases to $101 million by December 31, 2022 and $80 million by December 31, 2023.
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PGE’s financing arrangements do not contain ratings triggers that would result in the acceleration of required interest and principal payments in the event of a ratings downgrade. However, the cost of borrowing and issuing letters of credit under the credit facilities would increase.
The Indenture securing PGE’s outstanding FMBs constitutes a direct first mortgage lien on substantially all regulated utility property, other than expressly excepted property. Interest is payable semi-annually on FMBs. The issuance of FMBs requires that PGE meet earnings coverage and security provisions set forth in the Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust securing the bonds. PGE estimates that on December 31, 2021, under the most restrictive issuance test in the Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust, the Company could have issued up to $799 million of additional FMBs. Any issuances of FMBs would be subject to market conditions and amounts could be further limited by regulatory authorizations or by covenants and tests contained in other financing agreements. PGE also has the ability to release property from the lien of the Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust under certain circumstances, including bond credits, deposits of cash, or certain sales, exchanges, or other dispositions of property.
PGE’s credit facilities contain customary covenants and credit provisions, including a requirement that limits consolidated indebtedness, as defined in the credit agreements, to 65.0% of total capitalization (debt to total capital ratio). As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s debt to total capital ratio, as calculated under the credit agreements, was 55.9%.
Debt and Equity Financings
PGE’s ability to secure sufficient short- and long-term capital at a reasonable cost is determined by its financial performance and outlook, its credit ratings, its capital expenditure requirements, alternatives available to investors, market conditions, and other factors, such as the volatility in the capital markets in response to COVID-19. Management believes that the availability of its revolving credit facility, the expected ability to issue short- and long-term debt and equity securities, and cash expected to be generated from operations provide sufficient cash flow and liquidity to meet the Company’s anticipated capital and operating requirements for the foreseeable future.
Short-term Debt—Pursuant to an order issued by the FERC on January 20, 2022, PGE has authorization to issue short-term debt up to a total of $900 million through February 6, 2024. The following table shows available liquidity as of December 31, 2021 (in millions):
| December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Outstanding | Available | ||||||||
| Revolving credit facility (1) | $ | 650 | $ | — | $ | 650 | ||||
| Letters of credit (2) | 220 | 79 | 141 | |||||||
| Total credit | $ | 870 | $ | 79 | $ | 791 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 76 | |||||||||
| Total liquidity | $ | 867 |
(1)Scheduled to expire September 2026.
(2)PGE has three letter of credit facilities under which the Company can request letters of credit for an original term not to exceed one year.
On September 10, 2021, PGE amended and restated its existing revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2021, PGE had a $650 million unsecured revolving credit facility scheduled to expire in September 2026. The facility allows for unlimited extension requests, provided that lenders with a pro-rata share of more than 50% of the facility approve the extension request. The revolving credit facility supplements operating cash flows and provides a primary source of liquidity. In addition, the credit facility offers the potential for adjustments to interest rate margins and fees based on PGE’s achievement of certain annual sustainability-linked metrics related to its non-emitting generation capacity and the percentage of management comprised of women and employees who identify as black, indigenous, and people of color. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the revolving credit facility may be used as
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backup for commercial paper borrowings, to permit the issuance of standby letters of credit, and to provide cash for general corporate purposes. PGE may borrow for one, three, or six months at a fixed interest rate established at the time of the borrowing, or at a variable interest rate for any period up to the then remaining term of the applicable credit facility.
The Company has a commercial paper program under which it may issue commercial paper for terms of up to 270 days, limited to the unused amount of credit under the revolving credit facility. The Company has elected to limit its borrowings under the revolving credit facility to cover any potential need to repay commercial paper that may be outstanding at the time. As of December 31, 2021, PGE had no commercial paper outstanding.
PGE typically classifies borrowings under the revolving credit facility and outstanding commercial paper as Short-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets.
Under the revolving credit facility, as of December 31, 2021, PGE had no borrowings or commercial paper outstanding, and no letters of credit issued. As a result, as of December 31, 2021, the aggregate unused available credit capacity under the revolving credit facility was $650 million.
In addition, PGE has three letter of credit facilities under which the Company has total capacity of $220 million. The issuance of such letters of credit is subject to the approval of the issuing institution. Under these facilities, which are considered off-balance sheet arrangements, letters of credit for a total of $79 million were outstanding as of December 31, 2021.
On March 31, 2021, PGE obtained an unsecured 364-day term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $200 million. The term loan bore interest for the relevant interest period at LIBOR plus 0.70%, with the interest rate subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the loan. The term loan was paid off on September 30, 2021 with proceeds from a FMB bond issuance.
Long-term Debt—During 2021, PGE issued a total of $400 million of FMBs, $150 million of which were issued under PGE’s Green Financing Framework, which allows the Company to issue bonds and other debt instruments to finance or refinance eligible green projects.
On September 30, 2021, PGE issued $400 million in FMBs. The Bonds consist of:
•a series, due in 2028, in the amount of $100 million that will bear interest from its issuance date at an annual rate of 1.82%;
•a series, due in 2031, in the amount of $50 million that will bear interest from its issuance date at an annual rate of 2.10%;
•a series, due in 2034, in the amount of $100 million that will bear interest from its issuance date at an annual rate of 2.20%; and
•a series, due in 2051, in the amount of $150 million that will bear interest from its issuance date at an annual rate of 2.97%.
As of December 31, 2021, total long-term debt outstanding, net of $14 million of unamortized debt expense, was $3,285 million, none of which is scheduled to mature in 2022.
Capital Structure—PGE’s financial objectives include maintaining a common equity ratio (common equity to total consolidated capitalization, including current debt maturities and excluding lease obligations) of approximately 50% over time. Achievement of this objective helps the Company maintain investment grade debt ratings and provides access to long-term capital at favorable interest rates. The Company’s common equity ratio was 45.2% and 45.0% as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
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The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires that management apply accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the statements. The following accounting policies represent those that management believes are particularly important to the consolidated financial statements and that require the use of estimates, assumptions, and judgments to determine matters that are inherently uncertain.
Regulatory Accounting
As a rate-regulated enterprise, PGE applies regulatory accounting, which includes the recognition of regulatory assets and liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Regulatory assets represent probable future revenue associated with certain incurred costs that are expected to be recovered from customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory liabilities represent probable future reductions in revenues associated with amounts that are expected to be credited or refunded to customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory accounting is appropriate as long as prices are established or subject to approval by independent third-party regulators, prices are designed to recover the specific enterprise’s cost of service, and, in view of demand for service, it is reasonable to assume that prices set at levels that will recover costs can be charged to and collected from customers. Amortization of regulatory assets and liabilities is reflected in the statement of income over the period in which they are included in customer prices.
If future recovery of regulatory assets is not probable, PGE would expense such items in the period such determination is made. Further, if PGE determines that all or a portion of its utility operations no longer meet the criteria for continued application of regulatory accounting, the Company would be required to write off those regulatory assets and liabilities related to operations that no longer meet requirements for regulatory accounting. Discontinued application of regulatory accounting would have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
For additional information on PGE’s regulatory assets and liabilities, see “Regulatory Matters” in the Overview section in this Item 7., and Note 7, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Asset Retirement Obligations
PGE recognizes AROs for legal obligations related to dismantlement and restoration costs associated with the future retirement of tangible long-lived assets. Upon initial recognition of AROs that are measurable, the probability-weighted future cash flows for the associated retirement costs, discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate, are recognized as both a liability and as an increase in the capitalized carrying amount of the related long-lived assets. Due to the long lead time involved, a market-risk premium cannot be determined for inclusion in future cash flows. In estimating the liability, management must utilize significant judgment and assumptions in determining whether a legal obligation exists to remove assets. Other estimates may be related to lease provisions, ownership agreements, licensing issues, cost estimates, inflation, and certain legal requirements. Estimates for ARO liabilities are generally based on site-specific studies and are periodically subject to updates and changes that may arise over time.
Capitalized asset retirement costs related to electric utility plant are depreciated over the estimated life of the related asset and included in Depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of income. For revisions to ARO liabilities in which the related asset is no longer in service, the corresponding offset is recorded as a Regulatory asset on the consolidated balance sheets, except for those AROs related to non-utility assets which is charged to Depreciation and amortization on the consolidated statements of income. Accretion of the ARO liability is classified as Depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of income. Accumulated asset retirement removal costs that do not qualify as AROs have been reclassified from accumulated depreciation to regulatory liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
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As a co-owner of Colstrip, PGE has provided surety bonds, which are considered off-balance sheet arrangements, of $23 million as of December 31, 2021 on behalf of the operator to ensure the operation and maintenance of remedial and closure actions are carried out related to the Administrative Order on Consent Regarding Impacts Related to Wastewater Facilities Comprising the Closed-Loop System at Colstrip Steam Electric Station, Colstrip Montana (the AOC) as required by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. It is possible that each co-owner of Colstrip will be required, at some future point, to post additional financial assurance to support further performance by the operator of closure and remediation actions under the AOC.
For additional information on AROs, see Note 8, Asset Retirement Obligations, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Contingencies
PGE has various unresolved legal and regulatory matters about which there is inherent uncertainty, with the ultimate outcome contingent upon several factors. Such contingencies are evaluated using the best information available. A loss contingency is accrued, and disclosed if material, when it is probable that an asset has been impaired, or a liability incurred, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. If a range of probable loss is established, the minimum amount in the range is accrued, unless some other amount within the range appears to be a better estimate. If the probable loss cannot be reasonably estimated, no accrual is recorded, but the loss contingency and the reasons to the effect that it cannot be reasonably estimated are disclosed. Material loss contingencies are disclosed when it is reasonably possible that an asset has been impaired, or a liability incurred. Established accruals reflect management’s assessment of inherent risks, credit worthiness, and complexities involved in the process. There can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of any particular contingency.
For additional information contingencies, see Note 19, Contingencies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.—“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”