PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Rising costs, layoffs and an ongoing federal shutdown are making it hard for Oregonians to pay their bills.

In response, Oregon leaders have called upon the state’s Public Utility Commission to prevent electric and gas utility shut-offs for customers who cannot keep up with their bills until the shutdown ends.

Eighteen state leaders, led by Sen. Deb Patterson (D–Salem), made the request on behalf of residents who rely on federally-funded assistance programs such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The benefits from these programs are currently threatened as long as the shutdown continues.

The request was also sent to executives at PacifiCorp, PGE, NW Natural, Idaho Power, and Cascade Natural.

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