SALEM – (News release from Rep. Bobby Levy) In response to the Oregon Department of Energy’s (ODOE) proposed 18% increase in the Energy Supplier Assessment Tax (ESA), House Republicans issued a letter, led by Representative Bobby Levy (R-Echo), expressing their opposition to the increase. As the state moves into the next budget cycle, government agencies have been instructed to limit any increase in budget allocation to 1%. Further, at a July 29 meeting, ODOE presented a list of “potential reduction options” without specifying estimated savings or indicating any planned action on those items to reduce the burden on ratepayers.