Portland General Electric Company: generator, battery backup & CPAP rules
Service area: Serves the Portland metro area and the northern Willamette Valley, including Portland, Gresham, Beaverton, Hillsboro and Salem.
Meter collar transfer switches
Not accepted
PGE's Electric Service Requirements (January 2026) say customer-owned meter socket adapters and meter collars are not allowed on PGE services. The rule does not name products; it applies to customer-owned collars and adapters in general. PGE publishes no approved list of collars.
Generator and battery disconnect requirements
A permanently installed standby generator must connect through a permanently installed, open-transition (break-before-make) transfer switch. The switch must disconnect all ungrounded conductors from PGE's system before the generator connects, and it must keep the generator from reaching PGE's system in any mode. To use a closed-transition (make-before-break) switch, you must notify PGE for review before installation. A portable generator may be connected to house wiring only through a permanently installed transfer switch. Local electrical inspectors must approve transfer switches, and installing one requires a permit and inspection. PGE asks you to tell it if you have a stationary generator. Home batteries need an interconnection application, may not send power to PGE's grid unless PGE approves, and systems over 7.2 kW need a lockable disconnect switch with a visible open point within 10 feet of the meter.
Gas meter upgrades for standby generators
Gas utility: NW Natural
NW Natural has a Generator Add Request form for adding a generator to gas service. The customer pays all costs of any service change. NW Natural says that, for planning, a service change to handle a generator load can cost about $4,000 to $10,000 for its own facilities, with extra fees if flaggers or concrete or paving work are needed. Full payment is required before work is scheduled. NW Natural estimates 9 to 13 weeks from request to completion.
Estimate your gas load with our gas meter calculator and read how gas meter sizing works.
Medical program for CPAP, BiPAP and oxygen users
- Program
- Medical Certificate program
- What it provides
- Outreach from PGE advisors during outages and Public Safety Power Shutoffs, help building an outage backup plan, coordination with helping agencies and emergency services, and a team that can offer more flexible billing and payment arrangements. PGE says the program does not give a bill discount, does not prevent disconnection if you do not pay or make arrangements, and does not mean your power is restored first.
- CPAP / BiPAP
- Not named. PGE gives oxygen equipment and a refrigerator for insulin as examples. A licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant lists the needed equipment on the form.
- Renewal
- Under Oregon rules, a certificate lasts as long as the medical provider certifies the need, up to 6 months for conditions not listed as chronic and up to 12 months for chronic conditions. The utility must send written notice at least 15 days before it expires.
Backup battery or generator programs
- Program
- None found
- What it provides
- PGE does not list a backup battery or generator program for medical customers. PGE says it is your responsibility to have a backup system and plan. During a Public Safety Power Shutoff, PGE says it may set up mobile Community Resource Centers.
Frequently asked questions
Does PGE allow meter collar transfer switches like the Tesla Backup Switch?
Not accepted. PGE's Electric Service Requirements (January 2026) say customer-owned meter socket adapters and meter collars are not allowed on PGE services. The rule does not name products; it applies to customer-owned collars and adapters in general. PGE publishes no approved list of collars.
Does PGE have a program for customers who use a CPAP or other medical equipment?
Medical Certificate program: Outreach from PGE advisors during outages and Public Safety Power Shutoffs, help building an outage backup plan, coordination with helping agencies and emergency services, and a team that can offer more flexible billing and payment arrangements. PGE says the program does not give a bill discount, does not prevent disconnection if you do not pay or make arrangements, and does not mean your power is restored first. Not named. PGE gives oxygen equipment and a refrigerator for insulin as examples. A licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant lists the needed equipment on the form.
Does PGE offer backup batteries or generator rebates for medical customers?
We did not find a current backup battery or generator program for medical customers at PGE. PGE does not list a backup battery or generator program for medical customers. PGE says it is your responsibility to have a backup system and plan. During a Public Safety Power Shutoff, PGE says it may set up mobile Community Resource Centers.
How do I get a bigger gas meter for a standby generator in the PGE area?
NW Natural: NW Natural has a Generator Add Request form for adding a generator to gas service. The customer pays all costs of any service change. NW Natural says that, for planning, a service change to handle a generator load can cost about $4,000 to $10,000 for its own facilities, with extra fees if flaggers or concrete or paving work are needed. Full payment is required before work is scheduled. NW Natural estimates 9 to 13 weeks from request to completion.