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News Release

Oregon Public Utility Commission Approves Purchased Gas Adjustment For Avista - 10/28/26

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission approved Avista’s annual purchased gas adjustment (PGA) filing, resulting in updated customer rates effective October 31, 2026.

 

The PGA adjusts customer rates each year to reflect actual wholesale natural gas costs, which Avista purchases to provide service to its customers. The filing includes a projection of what Avista expects to pay for natural gas in the coming year and a true-up of last year’s projected and actual costs. These costs are passed through to customers without a markup.  

Customer impact 

A typical residential customer using 45 therms per month will see a monthly increase of approximately $5.83, or about 8.5 percent. Actual bill impacts will vary based on customer type and energy use. 

 

Reasons for adjustment

The 2026 PGA filing includes required accounting adjustments and the expiration of certain prior-year PGA amortizations that are no longer part of rates. It also reflects updates to the public purpose charge and other coincident rate adjustments that take effect at the same time. The overall revenue change is also affected by updates to the public purpose charge and adjustments to offset lower customer use during last year’s unusually warm winter.

 

“Avista’s annual update ensures that customer rates continue to reflect the actual cost of delivering natural gas service,” said Commission Chair Letha Tawney. “While these changes will increase monthly bills, the Commission remains focused on ensuring transparency in utility filings and protecting customers from unnecessary rate impacts.” 

Manage energy use and bills 

  • Customers can explore rebates and energy saving tips through the Energy Trust of Oregon at www.energytrust.org. 

 Avista serves approximately 106,500 natural gas customers in southwest and northeast Oregon. 

 

# # # 

The Oregon Public Utility Commission regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor owned electric and natural gas utilities. 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. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc. 

Oregon Public Utility Commission Approves Purchased Gas Adjustment For Avista - 10/28/26

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission approved Avista’s annual purchased gas adjustment (PGA) filing, resulting in updated customer rates effective October 31, 2026.

 

The PGA adjusts customer rates each year to reflect actual wholesale natural gas costs, which Avista purchases to provide service to its customers. The filing includes a projection of what Avista expects to pay for natural gas in the coming year and a true-up of last year’s projected and actual costs. These costs are passed through to customers without a markup.  

Customer impact 

A typical residential customer using 45 therms per month will see a monthly increase of approximately $5.83, or about 8.5 percent. Actual bill impacts will vary based on customer type and energy use. 

 

Reasons for adjustment

The 2026 PGA filing includes required accounting adjustments and the expiration of certain prior-year PGA amortizations that are no longer part of rates. It also reflects updates to the public purpose charge and other coincident rate adjustments that take effect at the same time. The overall revenue change is also affected by updates to the public purpose charge and adjustments to offset lower customer use during last year’s unusually warm winter.

 

“Avista’s annual update ensures that customer rates continue to reflect the actual cost of delivering natural gas service,” said Commission Chair Letha Tawney. “While these changes will increase monthly bills, the Commission remains focused on ensuring transparency in utility filings and protecting customers from unnecessary rate impacts.” 

Manage energy use and bills 

  • Customers can explore rebates and energy saving tips through the Energy Trust of Oregon at www.energytrust.org. 

 Avista serves approximately 106,500 natural gas customers in southwest and northeast Oregon. 

 

# # # 

The Oregon Public Utility Commission regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor owned electric and natural gas utilities. 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. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc. 

Oregon Public Utility Commission Approves Rate Changes And Program Updates For Cascade Natural Gas - 10/28/26

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission approved new rates and program updates for Cascade Natural Gas customers, effective October 31, 2026. The adjustments are the result of Cascade’s general rate case and its annual Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) filing, which updates customer rates based on changes in wholesale natural gas costs. The approval of the PGA is subject to further review and potential future customer refund. 

Customer impact 

Combining the impact of the general rate case and PGA filings, a typical residential customer using 57 therms a month can expect an increase of approximately $7.38 a month, or about 10.7 percent, beginning October 31, 2026.  

Reasons for adjustment 

Cascade’s general rate case includes costs for system upgrades, maintenance, environmental compliance, and updates to customer programs. The Commission approved three partial stipulations among the parties, resulting in a smaller increase than Cascade originally requested. The decision allows Cascade to recover the costs of new investments, update customer programs, and revise regulatory schedules that determine how costs are assigned to customers.

 

The PGA reflects what Cascade expects to pay for natural gas in the coming year and reconciles last year’s projected costs and actual expenses. It also includes program updates going into effect at the same time. These costs are passed through to customers without any added profit. This year’s PGA decrease is driven by wholesale natural gas prices and adjustments for lower gas use during last year’s unusually warm winter. 

Program and policy updates 

As part of the general rate case, the Commission also approved program changes, including: 

  • A three-year phase out of line extension allowances, which help offset the cost of connecting new residential and commercial customers to the natural gas system 
  • A new pilot program offering a $1,500 incentive to eligible customers who install qualifying heat pump equipment 
  • Updates to Cascade’s Climate Protection Program cost recovery schedules 

“Cascade’s filings involved complex issues, ranging from cost recovery to climate compliance,” said Commission Chair Letha Tawney. “These decisions balance customer impacts with Oregon’s energy and climate goals, and they improve transparency through required studies and future filings.” 

Manage energy use and bills 

  • Customers can explore rebates and energy saving tips through the Energy Trust of Oregon at www.energytrust.org. 
  • For assistance with bill payment options, customers can call Cascade Natural Gas or visit the company’s website. 

Cascade Natural Gas serves about 86,000 customers in central and eastern Oregon. 

 

# # # 

The Oregon Public Utility Commission regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor owned electric and natural gas utilities. 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. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc. 

Oregon Public Utility Commission Approves Rate Changes And Program Updates For Cascade Natural Gas - 10/28/26

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission approved new rates and program updates for Cascade Natural Gas customers, effective October 31, 2026. The adjustments are the result of Cascade’s general rate case and its annual Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) filing, which updates customer rates based on changes in wholesale natural gas costs. The approval of the PGA is subject to further review and potential future customer refund. 

Customer impact 

Combining the impact of the general rate case and PGA filings, a typical residential customer using 57 therms a month can expect an increase of approximately $7.38 a month, or about 10.7 percent, beginning October 31, 2026.  

Reasons for adjustment 

Cascade’s general rate case includes costs for system upgrades, maintenance, environmental compliance, and updates to customer programs. The Commission approved three partial stipulations among the parties, resulting in a smaller increase than Cascade originally requested. The decision allows Cascade to recover the costs of new investments, update customer programs, and revise regulatory schedules that determine how costs are assigned to customers.

 

The PGA reflects what Cascade expects to pay for natural gas in the coming year and reconciles last year’s projected costs and actual expenses. It also includes program updates going into effect at the same time. These costs are passed through to customers without any added profit. This year’s PGA decrease is driven by wholesale natural gas prices and adjustments for lower gas use during last year’s unusually warm winter. 

Program and policy updates 

As part of the general rate case, the Commission also approved program changes, including: 

  • A three-year phase out of line extension allowances, which help offset the cost of connecting new residential and commercial customers to the natural gas system 
  • A new pilot program offering a $1,500 incentive to eligible customers who install qualifying heat pump equipment 
  • Updates to Cascade’s Climate Protection Program cost recovery schedules 

“Cascade’s filings involved complex issues, ranging from cost recovery to climate compliance,” said Commission Chair Letha Tawney. “These decisions balance customer impacts with Oregon’s energy and climate goals, and they improve transparency through required studies and future filings.” 

Manage energy use and bills 

  • Customers can explore rebates and energy saving tips through the Energy Trust of Oregon at www.energytrust.org. 
  • For assistance with bill payment options, customers can call Cascade Natural Gas or visit the company’s website. 

Cascade Natural Gas serves about 86,000 customers in central and eastern Oregon. 

 

# # # 

The Oregon Public Utility Commission regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor owned electric and natural gas utilities. 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. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc. 

Oregon Public Utility Commission Approves Rate Changes And Pipeline Project Decisions For NW Natural - 10/28/26

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission approved changes to NW Natural customer rates that take effect October 31, 2026 for residential customers and November 1, 2026 for nonresidential customers. These changes are the result of NW Natural’s request to allow recovery for capital projects that have recently entered service, the Alternate Rate Mechanism (ARM), and its annual Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA).  

Customer impact

When combining the effects of these proceedings, a typical residential customer using 54 therms per month will see an overall rate increase of approximately $6.30 a month, or about 7.3 percent, beginning October 31, 2026. Actual impacts will vary based on energy use. Commercial and industrial customers will see varying increases based on usage characteristics and rate schedules.  

Reasons for adjustment 

The rate changes reflect two proceedings. First, under dockets UG 527 and UG 528, the Commission approved a partial stipulation that lowers NW Natural’s requested revenue increase to about $13 million and establishes cost recovery for a set of capital projects intended to ensure safe and reliable service, including landslide mitigation work on the Coos County Pipeline. The stipulation removes or adjusts several projects, applies contributions from Coos County, and limits cost recovery to the lesser of actual costs originally proposed. 

 

The PGA reflects what NW natural expects to pay for natural gas in the coming year and reconciles last year’s projected costs and actual expenses. These costs are passed through to customers without any added profit. It also includes program updates going into effect at the same time. This year’s increase is driven by adjustments for lower gas use during last year’s unusually warm winter. 

Manage energy use and bills

  • Customers can explore rebates and energy saving tips through the Energy Trust of Oregon at www.energytrust.org.
  • For assistance with bill payment options, customers can call NW Natural at 1-800-422-4012 or visit the company’s website.
  • Customers may also contact local Community Action agencies for information about additional support programs.

NW Natural serves more than 700,000 customers in northwest Oregon.

 

# # # 

The Oregon Public Utility Commission regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor owned electric and natural gas utilities. 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. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc. 

Oregon Public Utility Commission Approves Rate Changes And Pipeline Project Decisions For NW Natural - 10/28/26

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission approved changes to NW Natural customer rates that take effect October 31, 2026 for residential customers and November 1, 2026 for nonresidential customers. These changes are the result of NW Natural’s request to allow recovery for capital projects that have recently entered service, the Alternate Rate Mechanism (ARM), and its annual Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA).  

Customer impact

When combining the effects of these proceedings, a typical residential customer using 54 therms per month will see an overall rate increase of approximately $6.30 a month, or about 7.3 percent, beginning October 31, 2026. Actual impacts will vary based on energy use. Commercial and industrial customers will see varying increases based on usage characteristics and rate schedules.  

Reasons for adjustment 

The rate changes reflect two proceedings. First, under dockets UG 527 and UG 528, the Commission approved a partial stipulation that lowers NW Natural’s requested revenue increase to about $13 million and establishes cost recovery for a set of capital projects intended to ensure safe and reliable service, including landslide mitigation work on the Coos County Pipeline. The stipulation removes or adjusts several projects, applies contributions from Coos County, and limits cost recovery to the lesser of actual costs originally proposed. 

 

The PGA reflects what NW natural expects to pay for natural gas in the coming year and reconciles last year’s projected costs and actual expenses. These costs are passed through to customers without any added profit. It also includes program updates going into effect at the same time. This year’s increase is driven by adjustments for lower gas use during last year’s unusually warm winter. 

Manage energy use and bills

  • Customers can explore rebates and energy saving tips through the Energy Trust of Oregon at www.energytrust.org.
  • For assistance with bill payment options, customers can call NW Natural at 1-800-422-4012 or visit the company’s website.
  • Customers may also contact local Community Action agencies for information about additional support programs.

NW Natural serves more than 700,000 customers in northwest Oregon.

 

# # # 

The Oregon Public Utility Commission regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor owned electric and natural gas utilities. 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. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc.