Docket Number: UE-200994
Public invited to comment on Northwest Natural Gas rate request
LACEY, Wash. – Northwest Natural Gas customers will have the opportunity to provide comments to state regulators on the company’s proposed natural gas rate increase.
WHAT
Virtual-only public comment hearing
WHO
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
WHEN and WHERE
Thursday, August 19
6 p.m.
Participate by Microsoft Teams (encouraged, if possible).
Participate by phone: call (253) 372-2181 and use conference ID: 380 447 245#
Translation services are available at no cost to you. If possible, please inform the commission at least one business day prior to the meeting by calling 360-664-1140, or by sending an email to paige.doyle@utc.wa.gov.
If you are unable to participate during the virtual meeting, you can submit comments:
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Online at www.utc.wa.gov,
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via telephone at 888-333-9882,
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by email at comments@utc.wa.gov, or
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by mail to P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504.
BACKGROUND
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In July, commission staff announced a multi-party agreement to settle a request from Northwest Natural to increase natural gas rates in Washington over a two year period.
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Under the agreement, this year, an average residential customer using 57 therms could see an increase of $2.89, for a monthly bill of $61.10.
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The following year, an average residential customer using 57 therms could see an increase of $2.06, for a monthly bill of $63.16.
The three-member commission, which is not bound by the agreement, will make a final decision on the utility’s rates this fall. The multi-year settlement calls for new rates to begin this year on Nov. 1, then increase again on Nov. 1, 2022.
The commission has not received any public comments to date on Northwest Natural’s rate increase proposal.
Portland-based NW Natural provides natural gas service to about 84,200 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Southwest Washington.
The UTC is the state agency that regulates private, investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities in Washington. It is the commission’s responsibility to ensure regulated companies provide safe and reliable service to customers at reasonable rates, while allowing them the opportunity to earn a fair profit.
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