SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is hosting an event on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 6-7 p.m. PDT. This event provides a convenient opportunity for the public to comment on NW Natural’s proposed increase to natural gas rates.
NW Natural filed a request to increase overall revenues by $154.9 million. If approved, residential customers living in single-family homes using an average of 55 therms per month would see a bill increase of $14.38. Actual percentage increases will vary depending on customer type, usage, and the rate paid. NW Natural’s proposed impacts for Oregon customers are noted below.
| Customer Types | Residential | Small Commercial | Medium Commercial | Large Commercial | Large Industrial
|
| Percentage increase from current rates |
18.8% |
16.8% |
9.0% |
7.2% |
3.6% |
NW Natural asserts these proposed rate increases are necessary to account for the construction of seismically resilient regional resources, addressing capacity constraints on the system, actions to comply with federal pipeline and safety requirements, a meter modernization program, modernization of information and technology service systems, and inflation. Additionally, NW Natural may have other rate changes on or after November 1, 2024, such as rates associated with the company’s Purchase Gas Adjustment, that could increase or decrease the overall rate impact for customers.
NW Natural’s general rate case filing is undergoing a nearly year-long review and will be fully investigated on behalf of natural gas customers by the PUC, the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board, and others. These public comment events are part of that investigation, which will conclude in October when the Commissioners rule on the request. The Commissioners may approve or modify NW Natural’s request and will only approve rate increases if fully justified by the company. New rates, if approved, are expected to go into effect November 1, 2024.
Ways to Comment
Interested individuals may participate in the live event listed below to provide verbal comments to the Commissioners and the Administrative Law Judge presiding over this case as well as submit written comments.
Comment via Zoom or phone
When: Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 6-7 p.m. PDT
This meeting may go beyond the scheduled end time to allow more people to comment. The Commission will attempt to accommodate all individuals arriving before 7 p.m. PDT and may close the meeting at 7 p.m. if there are no members of the public waiting to comment at that time. Members of the publish who want to comment are encouraged to sign into the meeting as close to 6 p.m. as possible. This event will not be livestreamed.
Access the Zoom link and phone-in details at: https://bit.ly/3xi2Ycp
Spanish translation services are available for community convenience at no cost. For those individuals needing translation services, log into the Zoom platform and select English or Spanish on the bottom of the page. Translation services are not available for the meeting phone-in option.
Submit comments to the PUC by April 23, 2024
- Public Comment Form online
- email licComments@puc.oregon.gov“>PUC.PublicComments@puc.oregon.gov
- Call 503-378-6600 or 800-522-2404 (all relay calls accepted)
- Mail comments to: Oregon Public Utility Commission, Attn: AHD – UG 490, PO Box 1088, Salem OR 97308-1088
Stay Informed
To stay informed throughout this case, individuals may request to be added to the distribution list to receive publicly available documents. Submit requests by email to ings@puc.oregon.gov“>puc.hearings@puc.oregon.gov or by calling 503-378-6678. Please specify Docket No. UG 490 in the request.
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The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, including Portland General Electric, Idaho Power, Pacific Power, Avista, Cascade Natural, and NW Natural. The PUC also regulates landline telephone providers and select water companies. The PUC’s mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable, and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. We use an inclusive process to evaluate differing viewpoints and visions of the public interest and arrive at balanced, well-reasoned, independent decisions supported by fact and law. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc.
