In 2009, Peggy Fowler, the retiring chief executive of Portland General Electric Co., left with a final year pay package of $4.5 million and about $790,000 annually for the rest of her life.

After the recent 17% rate hike on your electric bills, PGE is going to ask for another 7% rate hike in the near future, (“PGE rate hikes: Oregon regulators say they can’t dismiss increase request,” April 25). They say they are investing in the future - while some families are living without electricity.

In April, 8,715 Oregon families had their electricity or natural gas turned off for nonpayment, according to the Citizens Utility Board. Even if you budget properly, no one could anticipate electricity going up by 24%. Hopefully Fowler is enjoying her retirement, while some families sit out there in the dark without heat or air conditioning.

James Maass, Beaverton

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