Record low fall rains limit boat access on Lewis River Reservoirs - 11/15/19

Record low fall rains limit boat access on Lewis River Reservoirs

With water coming into reservoirs at one-third of normal, only one ramp remains open

WOODLAND, Wash. – Low water levels in the Lewis River drainage continue to impact boaters. The ramp at Yale Park is expected to be out of the water and unusable by Nov. 18.

The boat ramps at Saddle Dam Park, Cougar Park and Beaver Bay on Yale Reservoir and Swift Forest Camp ramp on Swift closed earlier in the year. Cresap ramp on Lake Merwin always closes for the season on Sept. 30. At this time, the only ramp still open on the three lakes is Speelyai on Lake Merwin.

Low snowpack and below average spring rains means water coming into the series of reservoirs managed by PacifiCorp is well below normal for this time of year. Statewide, the Washington governor has declared a drought. In addition, normal fall rains have not materialized.

Reservoir levels, even without the water conditions seen this year, are subject to available inflows and downstream flow requirements for fish and aquatic habitats. While reservoir levels are always subject to fluctuation, PacifiCorp recognizes the importance of recreational resources and balancing of recreation access with environmental requirements.

It is possible that November rains could improve the situation and make the Yale Park ramp usable again.

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Contact Info:
Contact: Tom Gauntt,
PacifiCorp, 503-813-7291

Thieves working new scam targeting utility customers - 11/05/19

Media inquiries: Media Hotline 800-570-5838

Thieves working new scam targeting utility customers

GRANTS PASS, Ore.—Nov. 5, 2019--Pacific Power is aware of a particularly deceptive scam targeting utility customers in southern Oregon.

In recent days, a handful of customers in the Grants Pass area have reported receiving fraudulent emails and texts from scammers posing as utility representatives. The scamsters insist that the customer is behind on payments or needs to pay for a meter change. They even send a mocked up, fake bill. They then threaten that, without an immediate payment, service will be disconnected.

Calling the number listed on the fake bill connects the customer to someone who attempts to get an immediate payment.

“This illegal activity seeks to erode the trust our customers have in us,” said Barb Coughlin, vice president of customer service for Pacific Power. “We want to protect our customers from this fraudulent activity in any way we can.”

Customers can protect themselves from these types of schemes by being aware of the following signs that indicate deceitful calls or emails:

If the caller says he is with the “Pacific Power Disconnection Department.” No such department exists. Two of the emails use the title “Pacific Power Corp” which is not the company’s name.
Don’t be deceived. Even if the Caller ID on your phone reads out 888-221-7070, our customer service line, don’t be deceived. The scammers are technically sophisticated and able to put out false numbers on caller ID in order to make their call seem more credible.
If the caller asks for your credit card number or advises you to purchase a pre-paid card from a store and to call back with the code. Pacific Power will not ask for this information. We can facilitate credit card payments through our vendor upon request, but our employees don’t handle these payments directly. Pacific Power offers a wide variety of ways to pay and will not direct on which option to use.
If the caller claims your electric service will be disconnected if you don’t make a payment immediately, particularly if you haven’t received any prior notice about late payments or a potential disconnection. We don’t threaten our customers. Instead, we work with customers who are behind on their payments to help them get back on track. Generally, notices about past due bills are sent to customers in the mail or delivered to their home, or they receive an automated phone message.

If you receive one of these scam calls, ask the caller to state your account number and compare it with the number listed on your bill. Be careful not to give your account number to them. Pacific Power customer service employees will always have your account number.

Remember, if you still have concerns about the legitimacy of a call or an email, you can always hang up on the suspected scammer and call Pacific Power at our published customer service number, 1-888-221-7070. It’s a toll free call and we have customer service employees available around the clock.

If you receive a suspicious call or email, take note of the phone number the person is calling from and any information that may help to track down the crooks. Please call and let us know at 1-888-221-7070.

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Triple Your Impact: Pacific Power Will Match Your Contribution to Oregon Energy Fund 2-for-1 - 10/31/19

Media Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tom Gauntt, Pacific Power Oct. 31, 2019

503-813-7291

Triple Your Impact: Pacific Power Will Match Your Contribution to Oregon Energy Fund 2-for-1

PORTLAND, Ore — Helping your neighbors and their families stay warm just got easier. Pacific Power will match every dollar you donate to the Oregon Energy Fund with $2 more.

Pacific Power customers who receive their bills by mail will find it includes an Oregon Energy Fund contribution envelope in November. Customers who pay their bills electronically can send a check or enroll in the fixed donation program.

This program allows customers to donate any dollar amount, starting at $1 per month, which is then incorporated into their monthly bill. Fixed donations will also be matched 2-for-1 by Pacific Power. To enroll in the fixed donation program call Pacific Power toll-free at 1-888-221-7070.

Donations may be tax-deductible and are forwarded directly to the Oregon Energy Fund, which verifies eligibility and allocates funds to those in need. All funds donated are used to assist families in need from the same county in which the donor resides.

“As we celebrate 30 years of providing energy assistance to Oregonians in need, Pacific Power has been a partner in compassion, collaboration, and innovation since the beginning,” said Brian Allbritton, executive director of the Oregon Energy Fund. “Studies have shown that more than a quarter of Oregonians struggle to pay their bills each year. Pacific Power’s commitment to our mission helps ensure that our neighbors don’t have to sacrifice food, rent, medicine, or childcare to make ends meet.”

Last year, donations from Pacific Power’s customers, employees, and the company helped 589 households in need throughout Oregon. These households included 455 children, 215 seniors, and 245 people with disabilities. This year, Pacific Power will match up to $144,000 in donations.

Customers who need bill assistance themselves can talk with Pacific Power representatives who can help with payment plans that work for their individual needs and direct them to agencies that may be able to help. Pacific Power's customer service number is 1-888-221-7070.

About Pacific Power

Pacific Power provides electric service to more than 740,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. The company works to affordably and reliably meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity providers in the United States, with almost 1.9 million customers in six western states. Information about Pacific Power is available on the company’s website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages, which can be accessed via pacificpower.net.

Triple Your Impact: Pacific Power Will Match Your Contribution to Project Help 2-for-1 - 10/31/19

Media Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tom Gauntt, Pacific Power Oct. 31, 2019

503-813-7291

Triple Your Impact: Pacific Power Will Match Your Contribution to Project Help 2-for-1

YREKA,Calif.. — Helping your neighbors and their families stay warm just got easier. Pacific Power will match every dollar you donate to the Project HELP with $2 more.

Pacific Power customers who receive their bills by mail will find it includes a Project HELP contribution envelope in November. Customers who pay their bills electronically can send a check or enroll in the fixed donation program. This program allows customers to donate any dollar amount, starting at $1 per month, which is then incorporated into their monthly bill. Fixed donations will also be matched 2-for-1 by Pacific Power. To enroll in the fixed donation program call Pacific Power toll-free at 1-888-221-7070.

Donations may be tax-deductible and will be forwarded directly to Project HELP, which is administered by The Salvation Army, and verifies eligibility and allocates funds to those in need. All funds donated are used to assist families in Northern California.

Customers who need bill assistance themselves can talk with Pacific Power representatives who can help with payment plans that work for their individual needs and direct them to agencies that may be able to help. Pacific Power's customer service number is 1-888-221-7070.

About Pacific Power

Pacific Power provides electric service to more than 740,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. The company works to affordably and reliably meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity providers in the United States, with almost 1.9 million customers in six western states. Information about Pacific Power is available on the company’s website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages, which can be accessed via pacificpower.net.

Triple Your Impact: Pacific Power Will Match Your Contribution to Project Help 2-for-1 - 10/31/19

Media Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tom Gauntt, Pacific Power Oct. 31, 2019

503-813-7291

Triple Your Impact: Pacific Power Will Match Your Contribution to Project Help 2-for-1

YAKIMA, Wash. — Helping your neighbors and their families stay warm just got easier. Pacific Power will match every dollar you donate to the Project HELP with $2 more.

Pacific Power customers who receive their bills by mail will find it includes a Project HELP contribution envelope in November. Customers who pay their bills electronically can send a check or enroll in the fixed donation program. This program allows customers to donate any dollar amount, starting at $1 per month, which is then incorporated into their monthly bill. Fixed donations will also be matched 2-for-1 by Pacific Power. To enroll in the fixed donation program call Pacific Power toll-free at 1-888-221-7070.

Donations may be tax-deductible and will be forwarded directly to Project HELP, which is administered by The Salvation Army in the Walla Walla, Yakima and Grandview areas, and Northwest Community Action Center in the Toppenish and Sunnyside areas. They verify eligibility and allocate funds to those in need. All funds donated are used to assist families in need from the same county in which the donor resides.

Customers who need bill assistance themselves can talk with Pacific Power representatives who can help with payment plans that work for their individual needs and direct them to agencies that may be able to help. Pacific Power's customer service number is 1-888-221-7070.

About Pacific Power

Pacific Power provides electric service to more than 740,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. The company works to affordably and reliably meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity providers in the United States, with almost 1.9 million customers in six western states. Information about Pacific Power is available on the company’s website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages, which can be accessed via pacificpower.net.