A typical electric bill can experience some dramatic ups and downs as electricity needs change during the year. PGE’s Equal Pay option evens out your monthly bill so you make the same payment every month. It’s predictable and easier on your budget.

Enroll in Equal Pay.

Here’s how it works
We figure an average payment based on past usage. That average becomes your monthly payment. You’ll still know exactly how much electricity you’re using because your bill will show both your actual usage and your Equal Pay amount.

After 12 months we review your actual electric use to determine the Equal Pay amount for the next 12 months. If your actual use differed from the Equal Pay amount, any underpayment or overpayment will simply be figured into the Equal Pay amount for the next year.

Residential customers, small businesses, nonprofit organizations and churches can participate in Equal Pay, providing all electric bills are current.

Questions and answers on Equal Pay

• Can you explain the items on my Equal Pay bill?
• What if I am using more or less electricity than Equal Pay amount?
• What happens during “True Up?”
• Will PGE mail me a refund check for an Equal Pay Credit during True Up, or will I be required to pay if there is an amount owing at True Up?
• If I want to have my account reviewed prior to my annual True Up, what do I do?
• Who is Eligible for PGE’s Equal Pay Program?

Q. Can you explain the items on my Equal Pay bill?

View these items on a sample PGE bill (PDF).

• Amount Due: This is what you pay based on your established Equal Pay amount.
• Current Subtotal Charges: These are the monthly charges for your actual energy use.
• New Account Balance: This is the total amount owed on your account. The difference between what you are paying on Equal Pay and the amount of electricity you are actually using is tracked on the back of your bill. PGE commonly refers to this amount as your “variance” or “budget variance.”

Q. What if I am using more or less electricity than Equal Pay amount?

If you notice that you are using significantly more or less energy, you can call Customer Service and request a review of your Equal Pay amount. Periodically, PGE reviews accounts to determine if an adjustment is needed. If a change is recommended, PGE will send you a letter notifying you of your options.

Q. What happens during “True Up?”

On an annual basis, PGE evaluates your account to determine what the next Equal Pay amount should be. We calculate a new 12-month average and factor in any budget variance that accumulated (see “New Account Balance” above.) The new amount is rounded to the nearest cent.

Q. Will PGE mail me a refund check for an Equal Pay Credit during True Up, or will I be required to pay if there is an amount owing at True Up?

No. Our program is designed to incorporate any credit or debit variance into next year’s evaluation and billing of your Equal Pay amount.

Q. If I want to have my account reviewed prior to my annual True Up, what do I do?

In Portland, call PGE at 503-228-6322; outside of Portland, call 800-542-8818.

Q. Who is Eligible for PGE’s Equal Pay Program?

Any residential or small business customer (Rate Schedule 32) whose account is current (not past due or not on a time payment agreement).