
Portland General Electric (PGE) is a publicly-owned energy company based in Portland, Oregon, that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 934,000 customers in 51 cities across the state. PGE is a Fortune 1000 company that has been serving Oregon since 1889 and is regulated by the Oregon Public Utility Commission. The company has a diverse mix of resources, including hydropower, coal and gas combustion, wind, and solar, as well as key transmission resources. PGE has had a complex history, with several changes in ownership, including a period of being owned by Enron, and has faced challenges such as labour disputes and financial misdealings. Today, PGE operates as an independent, investor-owned utility, committed to providing value to its shareholders and customers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of company | Publicly-owned, investor-owned, publicly traded |
| Ownership | Independent |
| Industry | Energy |
| Location | Headquartered in Portland, Oregon |
| Year founded | 1888 or 1889 |
| Number of customers | 780,000 or 934,000 |
| Number of cities served | 51 |
| Generation capacity | Over 3,500 megawatts |
| Sources of energy | Hydropower, coal and gas combustion, wind, solar, battery storage, thermal |
| Parent company | Previously owned by Enron Corporation |
| Subsidiaries | Portland Traction Company |
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What You'll Learn

Portland General Electric (PGE) is a publicly-owned company
The company was founded in 1888 as the Willamette Falls Electric Company and has been an independent company for most of its existence. From 1997 to 2006, it was owned by the Houston-based Enron Corporation, which divested itself of PGE during its bankruptcy proceedings. On April 3, 2006, PGE became an independent, Oregon-based company again when ownership was transferred from Enron to creditors by issuing new common stock. This plan for PGE's independence was approved by the Oregon Public Utility Commission in December 2005 and was widely supported by customer groups, low-income advocates, and others.
PGE is a fully integrated investor-owned utility that serves approximately 934,000 customers in 51 cities across Oregon. It offers a diverse mix of resources, including hydropower, coal and gas combustion, wind, solar, and key transmission resources. PGE's power plants have a combined generating capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.
As an investor-owned company, PGE is committed to providing shareholders with easy access to information about the company. The Investor Relations website contains information about the company's business for stockholders, potential investors, and financial analysts.
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PGE is an investor-owned utility
Portland General Electric (PGE) is a publicly-owned energy company based in Portland, Oregon. It is a recognised leader in the utility industry for its customer and community focus. PGE has been an independent company for most of its existence, except for a period between 1997 and 2006 when it was owned by Enron.
PGE is a fully integrated investor-owned utility that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to its customers. It serves approximately 934,000 customers in 51 cities across Oregon, including more than 780,000 residential customers. PGE offers a diverse mix of resources, including hydropower, coal and gas combustion, wind, solar, and key transmission resources.
As an investor-owned utility, PGE is committed to providing its shareholders with easy access to information about the company. The Investor Relations website contains information about the company's business for stockholders, potential investors, and financial analysts. PGE's common stock is publicly traded, and the company is subject to regulation by the Oregon Public Utility Commission.
PGE has a strong focus on clean energy and has reported record clean energy resources in its 2024 Environmental, Social, and Governance Report, titled "Advancing Toward a Clean Energy Future." The company owns and operates two wind farms, the Biglow Canyon Wind Farm and the Tucannon River Wind Farm, and has a combined generating capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.
In summary, PGE is a trusted and reliable investor-owned utility that plays a crucial role in providing electricity to a large number of customers across Oregon. With its commitment to clean energy and focus on serving its customers and communities, PGE continues to be a leading utility company in the industry.
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PGE is a recognised leader in the utility industry
Portland General Electric (PGE) is a recognised leader in the utility industry. It is Oregon's largest utility company, serving almost two-thirds of Oregon's commercial and industrial activity. PGE is a publicly-owned, investor-owned, and fully integrated energy company that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 934,000 customers in 51 cities across Oregon.
PGE has been a leader in the utility industry since 1889, when it began delivering safe and reliable electricity in northwest Oregon. The company has a diverse mix of resources, including hydropower, coal and gas combustion, wind, solar, and key transmission resources. Their power plants have a combined generating capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.
PGE is committed to providing value to its shareholders and customers. They have consistently invested in the company to keep pace with the economic growth in northwest Oregon. PGE is also committed to advancing towards a clean energy future, as evidenced by their record clean energy resources reported in their 2024 Environmental, Social, and Governance Report.
In addition to their focus on shareholder value and clean energy, PGE is recognised for their commitment to their customers and community. They have a long history of serving Oregon and have been an independent company for most of their existence. PGE is regulated by the Oregon Public Utility Commission and is committed to providing safe and reliable electricity to their customers.
PGE's leadership in the utility industry is further demonstrated by their innovative use of resources and participation in the wholesale market. They own and operate two wind farms, the Biglow Canyon Wind Farm and the Tucannon River Wind Farm, and have five natural gas-fired generating facilities. Through their participation in the wholesale market, PGE purchases and sells electricity and natural gas to obtain reasonably-priced power for their retail customers.
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PGE was briefly owned by Enron
Portland General Electric (PGE) was founded in 1888 as the Willamette Falls Electric Company and has been an independent company for most of its existence. However, from 1997 until 2006, PGE was briefly owned by the Houston-based Enron Corporation.
Enron acquired PGE in 1997 for $2 billion in stock and $1.1 billion in assumed debt. This acquisition was part of Enron's strategy to expand its presence in the energy sector and leverage PGE's extensive infrastructure and customer base. During this time, PGE's CEO and President was Peggy Fowler.
However, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Enron faced significant financial troubles and attempted to sell PGE to other investor-owned utilities. Enron's financial mismanagement and controversial trading strategies, such as those employed by John Forney, the inventor of the "Death Star" electricity trading strategy, contributed to the company's decline.
In 2003, concerned about the uncertainty surrounding Enron's bankruptcy, several local governments began investigating the acquisition of PGE. Ultimately, on April 3, 2006, PGE became independent again when ownership was transferred from Enron to creditors by issuing new common stock. This marked an important turning point for PGE, as they regained their independence and could focus on serving their customers and communities.
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PGE has a diverse mix of resources
Portland General Electric (PGE) is a publicly-owned energy company based in Portland, Oregon. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 934,000 customers in 51 cities across Oregon.
PGE's diverse mix of resources allows it to provide reliable and affordable electricity to its customers while also reducing its environmental impact. The company has made significant investments in clean energy sources, such as wind and solar, and has committed to advancing toward a clean energy future.
In addition to its generation facilities, PGE also has key transmission resources, including a mix of traditional and modern infrastructure. The company's transmission infrastructure enables it to efficiently deliver electricity to its customers across Oregon.
PGE's diverse mix of resources and its commitment to clean energy have made it a recognized leader in the utility industry. The company's focus on customer and community needs, as well as its expansion to keep pace with economic growth in northwest Oregon, have solidified its position as Oregon's largest utility.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Portland General Electric (PGE) is a publicly-owned energy company.
PGE is owned by shareholders and investors.
PGE is based in Portland, Oregon.
PGE is an energy company that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to customers in Oregon.
PGE serves approximately 934,000 customers in 51 cities across Oregon.


































