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Schedule 96

Oregon's large-load electricity tariff framework, covering loads above 20 MW with a per-kWh surcharge above 100 MW.

Last refreshed: 15 July 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Timeline for Schedule 96

#106 Jul

Mentioned in: Oregon clears a 29% big-load surcharge

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Common Questions

What is Schedule 96 in Oregon?

Schedule 96 is Oregon's large-load electricity tariff framework, created under the 2025 POWER Act, covering data centres and other loads of 20 MW or more.Source: event

Why did Oregon approve a 29% rate increase for data centres?

Oregon's Public Utility Commission used Schedule 96 to shift infrastructure costs onto large loads like data centres, approving a 29% rate rise for them while cutting residential bills 1.3%.Source: event

How much do residential bills change under Schedule 96?

The same ruling that raised large-load rates 29% cut residential bills by 1.3%.Source: event

Background

Schedule 96 is the tariff framework Oregon's Public Utility Commission used on 7 July 2026 to approve a 29% electricity-rate increase for large-load customers, including Portland General Electric data centres, crypto miners and heavy industry, effective 8 July.

The framework was created under Oregon's 2025 POWER Act (HB 3546) and applies to loads of 20 MW or more. It layers a 1 cent per kWh surcharge on top of standard rates for load above 100 MW, and requires the customer to fund 100% of any distribution upgrades their connection needs.

By shifting infrastructure costs onto the largest loads rather than spreading them across all ratepayers, Schedule 96 let the same ruling cut residential bills by 1.3%, making it a template other states are watching as hyperscale demand strains local grids.