# Washington AG Urges UTC to Reject PacifiCorp Sale

The Washington Attorney General's Office has formally urged the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) to reject the proposed sale of PacifiCorp's Washington service area and power generation assets to Portland General Electric. This recommendation, issued in September 2026, highlights concerns over potential increases in energy costs and reduced access to clean hydroelectric power for customers in central and southeast Washington, including cities such as Yakima, Kennewick, and Walla Walla. The AG's office and other stakeholders suggest that if the sale proceeds, it should include provisions for exclusive hydroelectric contracts and increased compensation to affected ratepayers to mitigate adverse impacts.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals and contractors involved in utility services and energy infrastructure should note the regulatory scrutiny and potential deal modifications that could affect contract terms and project scopes in Washington state.
- The UTC's decision will influence market dynamics for energy providers and may set precedents for future utility asset transactions under state regulatory frameworks.
- Companies engaged in clean energy projects or utility operations in Washington should evaluate how this sale and its regulatory outcomes could impact service contracts, energy sourcing, and customer rate structures.
- Stakeholders may find opportunities to participate in negotiations or compliance activities related to hydroelectric power agreements and ratepayer compensation mechanisms.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 04, 2026

### Government Entities
- Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC)
- Washington Attorney General's Office

### Vendors
- Pacific Power and Light Company (PacifiCorp) (seller)
- Portland General Electric (buyer)
- Gem (subsidiary operator for Washington service area)

### Key Quotes
> This sale would drive up energy costs and add uncertainty around how residents of central and southeast Washington will get their power.
> — Nick Brown, Attorney General

### Sources
- [AG’s office urges UTC to reject PacifiCorp sale, details potential costs to Washington customers | Washington State](https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-s-office-urges-utc-reject-pacificorp-sale-details-potential-costs-washington) - WA