Customers Speak Out Against NW Natural Bill Increase
Posted on April 26, 2024 by Abbey Parnall
Tags, Energy, General Interest
This year, NW Natural is asking to raise rates by 18% for residential customers. Overall, customers could see an increase of $169.68 per year. With the proposed increase, winter bills alone would go up $22.73 a month for an average household. Customers could face an average heating bill of $150 per month next winter.
What’s in the Proposed Increase?
NW Natural is asking for $154.9 million, $110 million of which would be charged to Oregon households. The gas utility’s $154.9 million request includes:
- Higher profit margins
- Expanding subsidies for growing the gas system
- Higher bills for customers in new gas buildings
- Changing accounting for how customers pay for large investments
- Infrastructure upgrades
On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, the Public Utility Commission held a public hearing on NW Natural’s general rate case. The gas utility is asking for an 18% increase for residential rates. Community members, including some CUB partners, spoke up against increasing bills.
Climate Activists Speak Out
Throughout the public comment hearing, Oregonians expressed concerns with rising utility bills for a myriad of reasons, including environmental concerns and potential financial burden on already struggling families.
Dineen O’Rourke, Campaign Manager for 350 PDX, requested that the commission reject Northwest Natural’s proposal citing environmental concerns. “Northwest Natural’s proposal will prop up its polluting gas system in the face of emission reduction obligations by expanding its system and relying on expensive false solutions like biomethane and hydrogen blending.”
Pat Delaquil, on behalf of Mobilizing Climate Action Together, stated “Northwest Natural is not acting in the public interest and does not deserve an increase in its profit margins.”
Nataliya Pirumova, on behalf of Families for Climate, stated “As a parent to two children, I feel like I owe it to them to somehow forestall the climate emergency that is barreling towards us–or in fact, is already here.” She added, “We need to stop expanding the gas system and start shrinking it immediately.”
Nora Lehmann, also a member of Families for Climate, stated “We request that the commission reject Northwest Natural’s attempt to expand the system of methane pipelines at their customers’ expense and at the expense of a livable climate for our children.”
Jane Stackhouse from NE Portland and member of Mobilizing Climate Action Together, asked to deny this rate increase request, stating: “The market is changing, our climate is changing, and we must take action now.” She added, “Customers should not have to pay for the shortsightedness of their energy provider, especially those customers who have limited options.”
Bethany Cotton of Eugene, Oregon commented “As an environmental lawyer and auntie to two kiddos under 3, I am deeply concerned about Northwest Natural’s concerted efforts to undermine necessary climate policies at the local, state, and federal levels. I am likewise concerned about the public health impacts of gas.”
Linda Kelley, a volunteer for 350 Eugene, stated “Fossil fuel investments are not in the public interest.”
Chloe Wilson, a representative of the Tigard Youth Advisory Council, shared “As a resident of Tigard, I know many people are barely getting by[…]Northwest Natural’s higher fixed charge will burden new homeowners with a charge they can do nothing about.”
Kailani Rue, member and representative of the Tigard Youth Advisory Council, also commented “More money will be going from ratepayer pockets to the investors[…]This proposal is highly risky and will only damage our climate.”
CUB Will Continue to Fight Pacific Power’s Request
The Public Utility Commission will decide on this rate case by October 25, 2024. Any increase in rates will take effect for Northwest Natural customers in November of this year.
CUB’s policy team will continue to advocate for Oregon households, fighting unfair rate increases. To read more about the details of this rate case, visit this recent post on the CUB Blog.
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08/22/24 | 0 Comments | Customers Speak Out Against NW Natural Bill Increase