NW Natural customers in Oregon can expect lower gas bills this winter

Lower rates for NW Natural customers approved by Oregon Public Utility Commission.

Media contact: media@nwnatural.com; 503-818-9845

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 8, 2023

PORTLAND, Ore. —  Most NW Natural (NYSE:NWN) customers in Oregon will see a rate reduction starting November 1, 2023, which was recently approved by the Public Utility Commission of Oregon (OPUC).

 

This decrease reflects lower wholesale prices for natural gas, which have stabilized after a period of global price volatility. The average Oregon residential customer using 56 therms per month is expected to see their bill go down by about $8 per month. The average small-commercial customers can expect a reduction of about $25 per month.

 

“We are very happy to be able to offer lower bills this winter to our customers at a time when other costs such as housing, food, and transportation continue to rise,” said NW Natural CEO David Anderson.

 

NW Natural forecasts residential and small commercial customers will be paying less than last year (in fact, customers will pay less than they did even 15 years ago) for natural gas bills. 

 

While the wholesale price of natural gas primarily influences rates, NW Natural continually works to keep customer bills as low as possible:

  • NW Natural does not mark up the price of gas. Rates for gas reflect the company’s costs for wholesale price and delivery of natural gas.

  • By working in advance to purchase gas at lower costs, NW Natural utilizes storage investments to store gas, then delivers it to customers during the heating season when gas is in highest demand. 

  • Through NW Natural’s Equal Pay program, customers can receive predictable bills when we divide annual usage into 11 equal monthly payments, so customers pay less in the months where bills are the highest heating.

  • NW Natural’s qualified bill discount program offers 15-40 percent reductions to cut energy costs for customers whose household income is below 60% of the state’s median income.

  • Some customers may be eligible for free or reduced-cost energy savings improvements at home. For example, sealing air leaks and adding insulation can reduce energy costs by up to 20%.

 

For more information, visit the Rates and Regulations section of nwnatural.com. 

 

About NW Natural
NW Natural is a local distribution company that currently provides natural gas service to approximately 2.5 million people in more than 140 communities through more than 795,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural consistently leads the industry with high J.D. Power & Associates customer satisfaction scores. NW Natural owns and operates 21 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity in Oregon. NW Natural, a part of Northwest Natural Holding Company, (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and has been doing business for more than 160 years. NW Natural Holdings owns NW Natural, NW Natural Renewables Holdings (NW Natural Renewables), NW Natural Water Company (NW Natural Water), and other business interests. We have a longstanding commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and taking care of our employees and communities. Learn more in our latest ESG Report.

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