Customers Spoke At NW Natural’s Public Hearing
Posted on March 27, 2025 by David Beltrán Barajas | CUB Oregon
Tags, Energy, General Interest
The Public Utility Commission closed out the public comment period as of March 19th, 2025. Keep up with CUB to stay updated on NW Natural’s rate case and other energy affordability happenings by subscribing to our email newsletter!
On Tuesday, March 18, the Public Utility Commission held a public hearing on NW Natural Utilities’ general rate case. The gas utility is asking for a 7% increase for residential customers.
This increase would contribute to the overall rising cost of living that Oregonians across the state are facing. The gas utility filed this request with regulators just two months after receiving a rate increase on November 1, 2024.
What Customers Could Expect on 2025 Bills
Customers are struggling with their energy bills, including gas. Last year, NW Natural disconnected more than 9,100 households that could not afford to pay their bills. That’s nearly 2,000 more households than in 2023, with only modest growth in the total number of customers.
If approved, this would mean a $5.55/month increase for an average household across the year. Winter gas bills would have a larger impact, with new winter bills averaging at about $138 for single-family homes and $136 for multifamily homes. New rates will go into effect on November 1, 2025.
What is NW Natural Asking For?
This year, NW Natural is asking for a fairly limited amount in its requested increase. The request totals $59.4 million ($41 million for residential customers) from investments and profit increases.
Major cost drivers include:
- Inflation: Rising costs for equipment, staffing, etc.
- Infrastructure: Replacing equipment at the Mist gas storage facility and the North Coast Feeder pipeline.
- System Upgrades: Seismic upgrades for resource centers and modernizing IT systems
- Profits: Increasing allowable profit margins to 10.4% (currently 9.4%)
Concerns of Higher Bills for Struggling Families and Reliance on Fossil Fuels
Throughout the comment period, community members took issue with both the rising costs and the continued reliance on fossil fuels. Customers shared discontent for the behavior NW Natural has shown to our communities, ranging from feelings of being misled on programs to criticisms of tactics used to preserve fossil fuel consumption.
Jack Bodson a student at the University of Oregon shared:
“Prices are the highest they’ve been in my lifetime. Yet NW Natura wants to raise them even more. This is clearly a last ditch effort by NW Natural to raise its profits, line the pockets of its shareholders, and continue the growth of the gas system. It’s time for regulators to say enough is enough! Stand up for Oregonians struggling economically, stand up for the planet that is being wrecked by NW Natural’s climate warming gas, and do not approve NW Natural’s rate hikes.”
“It’s time for regulators to say enough is enough! Stand up for Oregonians struggling economically.” -Jack Bodson
Lachellel Crow, a community member and mother to a household of four shared her personal struggles being mindful of energy use and continuing to see rising bills because of back-to-back rate increases from NW Natural.
“This would greatly affect our family of four. We keep our house at 63 degrees and we try to conserve our energy. Our bill usage was 22% lower and yet our bill was higher. This is why we oppose this increased rate hike. This is going to affect families, especially in Oregon, and in our residential areas.”
“We keep our house at 63º and we try to conserve our energy, our bill usage was 22% lower and yet our bill was higher. This is why we oppose this increased rate hike” - Lachelle Crow
Wendy Woods, a retired scientist opposing NW Natural’s increase, says, “In the past few years, rates have increased too much. I understand it’s about 50%. I oppose this rate increase. NW Natural has been using customer payments to spread misinformation, to lobby, to advertise using greenwashing and more. Until we succeed in preventing these inappropriate uses of customer payments, the Public Utility Commission should not allow any increases in rates. (...) If you allow this rate increase, your actions are countering the goal of slowing climate change. Climate disasters are on the increase, and disproportionately harm people who are least able to adapt. We must act in any way possible to slow our planet’s warming, and we’re in a critical window in the next five years where we can still make a big difference. So please oppose this rate increase!”
“If you allow this rate increase, your actions are countering the goal of slowing climate change. Climate disasters are on the increase, and disproportionately harm people who are least able to adapt. We must act in any way possible to slow our planet’s warming, and we’re in a critical window in the next five years where we can still make a big difference. Please oppose this rate increase!” - Wendy Woods
Get involved with the process!
The Public Utility Commission will decide on this rate case later this year. Any changes in billing rates could take effect for NW Natural customers on November 1st, 2025. If you’re facing increasing bills and have a story you would like to share, use our story bank link or reach out to our Community Organizer at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and join us in organizing for fair rates.
CUB’s policy team will continue to advocate for Oregon households and fight 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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03/27/25 | 0 Comments | Customers Spoke At NW Natural’s Public Hearing