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.
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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.