What to Expect at Cascade Gas’s Public Hearing
Posted on February 24, 2026 by David Beltrán Barajas | CUB Oregon
Tags, Oregon Utilities 101, Energy, General Interest
Editor’s Note: The next Public Comment Hearing will address the Cascade Natural Gas proposed billing rate increase on Tuesday, March 3rd, at 6 pm. CUB needs your help to speak out against the proposed $10.3 million (17.4%) increase for Oregon households. Sign up with CUB to get all the info you need to speak at the public hearing!
Are you interested in speaking up about utility issues that impact you? Many customers are struggling with increasing bills, but don’t know what to do about them. This year, Cascade Natural Gas is asking for a 17.4% increase for home gas bills.
One way to make your voice heard is to share your comments with regulators at Public Comment Hearings. These hearings are hosted by the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC), Oregon’s utility regulators. There will be an upcoming hearing for the Cascade Rate Case on March 3, 2026, at 6:00 pm via Zoom.
Learn more about what to expect in this hearing and make your voice heard!
Cascade Natural Gas Public Hearing Details
- Public Hearing: March 3, 2026, virtually over Zoom (meeting info)
- Quick Info: CUB’s one-pager on Cascade’s proposal
- Plan Your Testimony: CUB’s toolkit (talking points and example testimony)
- Sign Up: Receive all of the tools you need to speak up from CUB
Speaking Up at the Public Utility Commission
The Public Utility Commission (PUC) is the state agency in charge of regulating customer rates and services in Oregon. It is made up of three governor-appointed Commissioners. The PUC also includes staff who support the Commissioners. This agency regulates Oregon’s largest utilities: Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, Idaho Power, NW Natural, Avista, and Cascade Natural Gas.
Part of the Commission’s role is making decisions around increasing customer rates. (Rates are how your utility bills are calculated.) Public Comment Hearings are special hearings around specific topics. These special hearings allow the public to give their opinions on issues directly affecting customers.
What are Public Comment Hearings?
Public Comment Hearings are opportunities for regulators to hear the opinions of community members. The public can comment on matters that may impact utility customers, including utility requests for a rate increase. These hearings are open for anyone to join and share comments.
Public opinion is increasingly important as higher rates are proposed. It is crucial for Commissioners to hear from those most impacted by rising bills.
How Do You Join a Public Comment Hearing?
All Public Comment Hearings are held virtually via Zoom. The Commission will have a Zoom link available for the hearing and information to call in by phone. Once you have the login information, joining the hearing is as easy as calling in.
Public hearings are listed on the PUC Website. Unfortunately, this calendar is always user-friendly for someone outside of the utility industry. For hearings on bill increases, look out for events that include “Request for a General Rate Revision Hearing.”
For ease, we’ve got the direct link to the Cascade public comment hearing here!
What can you expect to happen at the hearing?
When entering the meeting, you will be on mute and have your video turned off. Once in the meeting, the Commissioners will introduce themselves. A PUC staff person, called an Administrative Law Judge, will go through the proceedings. There will be a short presentation that goes over some of the basics of the rate case or issue. Then, the PUC will open public comment.
During comments, the Commissioners will not engage in discussion or answer questions. They will be there to listen to what everyone has to say.
How Do You Make a Comment During the Hearing?
The Commissioners will ask anyone interested in commenting to “raise their hand.” This is done on a computer or tablet by clicking on the “Reactions” button on the bar at the bottom of your Zoom screen. Next, select the “Raise your hand button.” This will add you to the queue to speak. Staff will call your name and unmute you to speak.
If calling in by phone, you will be asked to press *6 to raise your hand. When they call your name, you can press *9 to unmute.
How Can You Request Accommodations?
You can request accommodation for these meetings at least 48 hours before the meeting time. To request accommodation, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 503-378-6611.
If you or others need an interpreter, make sure to request this accommodation as early as possible. Please note that this request may not be honored by the PUC if they cannot find an interpreter. Unfortunately, at this time, accommodations for languages other than English and Spanish are not guaranteed.
How can you get involved?
To get all of the latest news on public hearings, sign up with CUB! We will send you dates, talking points, and some of the major items that CUB will be working on during each rate case.
Can’t join a public hearing but still want to give the Commission your thoughts? You can submit your comments to the PUC. Make sure to include the docket number “UG 525” in the subject line to comment on Cascade’s 17.4% increase request. (Want to comment on another issue, but you’re unsure of the docket number? Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)and we can help.)
- By email – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
- By Mail - Oregon Public Utility Commission, Attn: Public Comment, PO Box 1088, Salem OR 97308-1088
- By Phone - 503-378-6600 or 800-522-2404 or TTY 800-648-3458 weekdays from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Your Voice Matters
While these more formal settings can feel intimidating, your voice matters. The PUC’s mission is “to ensure Oregon utility customers have access to safe, reliable, and high-quality utility services at just and reasonable rates.” Regulators need to hear directly from customers like you that their decisions impact.
When sharing comments, be sure to be brief (about two minutes) and respectful. Make your comments personal. Let the Commissioners know how the decision will impact you and your community. Keep to the facts. Before these Public Comment Hearings, CUB will share key facts and talking points with our email list.
CUB is committed to ensuring utility policies protect your wallet and the environment. We always work to make sure utilities serve their customers’ interests. Stay tuned to the CUB Blog for updates on upcoming Public Comment Hearings.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can get involved or for help preparing to join a Public Comment Hearing, email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Stay Up to Date on Oregon Utility Issues
CUB will continue to advocate for people in Oregon on major utility issues. Sign up for the CUB email list for the latest updates, action alerts, and news on policies that affect the utilities your home relies on.
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02/26/26 | 1 Comment | What to Expect at Cascade Gas’s Public Hearing