Maria Pope
Analyst · Jefferies
Thank you, Erin, and good morning, everyone. We appreciate you joining us today. The second quarter was marked by continued execution across our strategic priorities. Strong industrial demand growth of 11% when compared to second quarter of last year, advancement of key proceedings -- excuse me, key regulatory proceedings, disciplined cost management and continued progress on resource planning. Beginning with Slide 4, I'll speak to our financial results and key drivers. For the second quarter, we reported GAAP net income of $68 million or $0.59 per diluted share and non-GAAP net income of $74 million or $0.64 per diluted share. Our non-GAAP results exclude business transformation, optimization and acquisition-related expenses, which are not reflective of ongoing operational performance. These costs relate to the holding company formation, the pending Washington acquisition and our customer affordability work. These results were in line with our expectations for the quarter and reflect strong execution. As a result, we are reaffirming our full year earnings guidance of $3.33 to $3.53 per diluted share and our long-term earnings and dividend growth guidance of 5% to 7%. Turning to Slide 5 for updates on our 5 strategic priorities. First, industrial demand growth remains an important element of our long-term outlook. Today, we serve 12 different data center customers, which make up approximately 1/3 of our total industrial usage. Total industrial load growth was approximately 10% compounded annually over the last 5 years. We continue to see strong demand from technology, semiconductor and data center customers with approximately 10% compounded annual growth expected through 2030. This outlook is supported by customers who are under contract and whom are already energized or actively advancing construction and facility development in our service area. Second, affordability remains a national focus. We've taken proactive steps to address customer cost pressures, mitigate stranded asset cost risk and enable growth that supports the long-term strength of our communities and continued economic development. In Q2, the OPUC issued a final order approving PGE's New Large Load Tariff effective in July, raising average prices approximately 30% for data centers, while lowering rates for all other customers and capping several years of legislative and regulatory work. This important framework aligns infrastructure costs on an ongoing basis to customers driving new system investments while helping reduce costs for residential and small business customers. The tariff also creates greater certainty for large load customers by providing a clear pricing framework, which supports investment decisions and continued economic development across our region. In addition to the changes implemented with our large load tariff, we continue to focus on operating costs and executing across our financial and operational priorities, which Joe will cover in more detail in a minute. Third, we're advancing our 2025 renewable RFP. During the quarter, the OPUC acknowledged the short list, marking an important milestone in the procurement process. The short list includes a diverse mix of wind, solar, battery storage and hybrid resources with both purchase power and company-owned structures under consideration. We are now moving into commercial negotiations and expect to execute contracts by early 2027, subject to final negotiations and approvals. Fourth, our year-round wildfire mitigation work remains on track. We continue executing the actions identified in our 2026 through 2028 wildfire mitigation plan and remain engaged with policymakers and stakeholders regarding long-term wildfire policy discussions. Across Oregon, there are several active wildfires, and we appreciate the significant actions that first responders and local communities are taking. None of these wildfires are in PGE's service territory. And fifth, next week, we will file our 2027 general rate case. As proposed, the case would result in approximately 4.8% overall increase relative to currently approved prices effective July 1, 2027, with residential customers seeking an approximately 3.9% increase. The residential increase would have been higher if not but for the large load tariff. The rate case increase is expected to be partially offset by lower net variable power costs, which are addressed separately through the annual update cost tariff and are currently forecast to reduce customer prices by approximately 2.4% beginning in January 1. The filing is based on a proposed 50% debt, 50% equity capital structure and a 9.75% return on equity. It reflects a balanced approach that supports continued investment in reliability, resiliency and infrastructure needed to meet growing customer demand while maintaining affordability and delivering the financial foundation necessary to serve customers safely and effectively over the long term. In parallel, we continue to advance our proposed holding company structure. We expect the final order at the end of August. The proposed structure will enhance financing flexibility and support our ability to invest in clean energy and meet significant customer and infrastructure needs over time. Lastly, our teams remain focused on the regulatory work to obtain approvals for the Washington acquisition and continue to target a mid-2027 closing. As we move through the second half of 2026, we remain focused on delivering safe, reliable and affordable service while advancing clean energy investments, our expansion into Washington and completing the formation of the holding company. At the same time, we are operating to our plan and executing on actions to deliver on shareholder and customer commitments. With that, I'll turn things over to Joe. Thank you.