Regulators to Hold Public Hearing on Large Increase for Cascade Home Gas Bills

1.17.4% is outrageous. Increasing investors profits in this economy and in light of the 70000 Oregonians who were disconnected in 2024 is not acceptable. An increase in Solar and windpower is producing more electricity thus reducing the demand for gas power. Oregon citizens should not bear the burden of increasing the gas footprint at an increased price. Just say no.

2.Please oppose this rate increase!! We can’t afford to pay anymore money and CNGC can absolutely fund their maintenance and improvements with current funding. This will hurt working families and the Governor has promised us relief and needs to weigh in on this. We can’t afford a rate increase and 17% is outrageous. The price of natural gas and futures is falling so this should not be necessary.

3.I strongly oppose this rate increase. Families are already struggling with high living costs, and a 17.4% hike places an unfair burden on residents.
There must be more accountability and transparency before asking Oregonians to pay more.

4.Working families can barely afford to keep up. The customers should come first.

5.I am shocked, saddened, and strongly oppose this increase. Since CNG raised gas rates by 32% between 2020-2024, how could they justify another 17.4% within a 2 years of that increase?That totals almost a 50% increase within 6 yrs. That is completely unacceptable for us, Oregon citizens. Who could think this is doable for any household?

6.I haven’t ever received a 17% cost of living raise, and am currently struggling with doubled cost of groceries, increased fuel costs, and virtually everything else. This increase is not acceptable!

7.How about the CEO, Board of Directors, Chairman of the Board, and any other upper management take a 17.4% decrease in their salary to help us little people who can barely put food on the table. This is proposed increase is absolutely outrageous and needs to be opposed every step of the way.

8.This is absolutely ridiculous 17% would devastate the already struggling family's in this community.

9. I am a resident and small business owner in our community. I am speaking today to strongly oppose the proposed 17.4% rate increase by Cascade Natural Gas.
This increase would place an unnecessary and harmful burden on families, seniors, and small businesses who are already struggling with rising costs for housing, groceries, insurance, and utilities. A nearly 18% increase is not a minor adjustment—it is a major financial hit to the people who rely on natural gas every day just to heat their homes and run their businesses.
For households, this proposal means higher monthly bills during a time when many families are already stretched thin. Many residents are still trying to recover from inflation and increased living expenses. A rate hike of this size could force some families to make difficult choices between paying their utility bills and paying for other necessities.
For small businesses, the impact could be even more severe. Businesses such as laundromats, restaurants, and other service providers rely heavily on natural gas to operate. When energy costs rise this sharply, it increases operating expenses dramatically. Many small businesses operate on thin margins and cannot simply absorb a 17.4% increase in utility costs. This will ultimately lead to higher prices for customers, reduced hiring, or in some cases businesses being forced to close their doors.
Utility companies provide essential services and should be held to a high standard of fairness and accountability. Rate increases should only occur when they are absolutely necessary and when the impact on customers has been carefully considered. At this time, many customers simply cannot afford a nearly 18% increase.
I respectfully ask the Oregon Public Utility Commission to deny or significantly reduce this proposed rate increase and require Cascade Natural Gas to find alternative ways to manage costs without placing such a heavy burden on the communities they serve.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment

10.I very strongly oppose this increase in rate! We are already a working family trying to stay afloat while everything in the world is increasing. Please think about your customers! We value your service and this would absolutely change a lot of minds.

11.I am a divorced older female. I work hard & hope to retire one day. I don't have help from anyone to pay my bills & I'm raising my 10 year old grandson. I CANNOT afford to have my gas bill go up AGAIN. The greediness in the world is out of hand & I, for one, am tired of being taken advantage of. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!

12.Here’s the reality. I have been in homes with efficient gas heat and others with efficient electric heat. It costs 3 times as much to heat with efficient electric heat. Keep in mind the utility provider was a public owned utility charging almost half per KWh than Pacific Power. Currently, in the summer my AC runs costing me 3 times more to cool my home (pacific power) during the summer than gas (Cascade Natural) heat in the winter.

Because gas is so cheap per therm the gas companies despise investing in energy efficiency. What we are seeing is a result of fewer therms used due to increased efficiency in building and general slowing expansion of new customers.
In summary gas profits are far lower than those companies providing high cost power. Therefore it any increase of utility cost per therm or per watt should be scrutinized heavily by OPUC. If the increase of the utility is caused by commercial use or expansion to new customers that burden should be shouldered by the new customer or the utility share holder.
If the cost of increase is due to increase in cost of supply and maintenance then there should be an increase but the increase should only be allowed at the rate as it directly relates to the existing customer.
Anything else does not make sense.

13.Iam opposed to this decision to raise the gas price increase. We already pay for people that can't afford to pay for their gas, which is called a ppf fund personal purpose fund it will say it on your bill. With $11.00 more a month? Especially with all the other money they will get from gas, new housing going up around the area. Especially I read they were gonna lower prices, now they are gonna raise them? Getting to expensive to live in the city. We do not need or want and increase, when we already pay enough.

14.In a story on CNGC own website written in September of 2025, rates are being decreased in Washington that equate almost exactly to the rate being requested to increase here in Oregon. A direct quote from the story, "The purchased gas cost adjustment application is filed each year to ensure the costs Cascade Natural Gas incurs on behalf of its customers are reflected in its sales prices. The cost of natural gas is a straight passthrough to customers; Cascade does not earn a profit on the cost of natural gas."
I oppose the rate increase proposed and would like to see an audit of the maintenance needed that they are for some reason, unable to budget for. If they are non-profit, the State of Oregon should have funding available to help with maintenance and repairs. Take it to Legislation since this is infrastructure. Stop gouging the pockets for the bottom line of customers who, in many cases, are just trying to heat their homes.
Reference: Cascade Natural Gas files to decrease rates in Washington - Cascade Natural Gas Corporation https://share.google/gQZfadhvbq1K8mUBS