SALEM, Ore. -- Portland General Electric customers may be bailing the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry out of a $4.6 million delinquent loan with state money intended to fund efficiency measures and renewable energy.

A three percent "public purpose" surcharge on PGE and PacifiCorp customers was implemented by the Legislature in 2002 to fund the Energy Trust of Oregon.

That organization works with residential and industrial customers to promote energy efficiency and efforts to use renewables.

Opponents of the measure say using that money to pay off the museum's debt to the Department of Energy amounts to a legislative raid on ratepayer money.

OMSI President Nancy Stueber says she never proposed using the public purpose surcharge money.

But she supports the plan because it will take some financial pressure off the museum.