Those utilities include privately owned natural gas and electric companies, and certain telephone and water companies. The OPUC does not regulate cooperatives, people's utility districts or city-owned utilities, and does not handle questions or complaints from customers of those utilities. This page contains answers to questions commonly asked by utility customers. More detailed information about consumer protection rules administered by the OPUC is available in Oregon Administrative Rules, Division 21. The office also has other information, including fact sheets on how utility rates are set and on OPUC history, and a Public Involvement Guide.
Copies are free upon request.
If you owe an unpaid balance to a utility company for the same type of service within the last 24 months, you will be asked to pay a deposit. Someone who voluntarily terminated utility service and paid the final bill by its due date is not required to pay a deposit. Also, anyone whose service was terminated for theft of services is required to pay a deposit. In all other cases, people who can establish credit are not required to pay a deposit. Credit may be established by submitting to the utility company a letter from another utility stating that service was voluntarily terminated and the bill paid in full by the due date.