Boardman Area Could See Power Provider Shift as PacifiCorp Seeks to Shed Rural Lines

Residents and businesses in parts of rural Morrow County may soon see a new name on their electric bills. PacifiCorp, which operates as Pacific Power, has filed a request with state regulators to transfer portions of its service territory to other utilities, a move driven by the escalating financial risks of wildfires.

The company’s filing with the Oregon Public Utility Commission does not specify exact locations, but it targets “certain rural service territories” where the cost to maintain and mitigate fire risk on power lines may outweigh the benefits. Areas around Boardman, with its mix of farmland, river corridors, and open spaces, could be directly impacted by any such transfer.

“This is about managing risk for all our customers,” a PacifiCorp spokesperson stated. “By transferring these specific circuits, we can focus resources on enhancing safety and reliability across our core system, while the receiving utilities can integrate these areas into their existing operations.” Potential suitors include other Oregon consumer-owned utilities.

For local customers, the immediate concern is continuity and cost. Regulatory officials assure that any transfer would require a seamless transition with no interruption in service. However, long-term rate implications under a new provider remain a key question for the commission to scrutinize.

The push comes as PacifiCorp faces billions in liabilities from recent Oregon wildfires. The decision highlights a growing statewide reckoning: how to keep the lights on in remote areas while protecting communities and utilities from catastrophic financial exposure in an era of increasing drought and extreme weather.