Woodburn Independent Online

NW Natural tries for double-digit rate decreases

Natural gas savings will likely be passed on to customers this fall

• By: Amanda Newman  
• Published: 9/2/2009 3:50:32 PM
• Last Updated: 9/2/2009 3:54:18 PM

Northwest Natural Gas Company customers in Oregon could be in for a treat -- the company is trying to reduce its rates.
 
NW Natural filed a rate decrease request with the Public Utility Commission of Oregon Monday. The company aims to reduce residential rates 14.5 percent and commercial rates 17.5 percent.
 
Natural gas prices have fallen significantly from last year’s record levels. NW Natural has been able to purchase gas at much lower prices, and wants to pass those savings on to customers.
 
In Woodburn, there are 4,861 NW Natural customers -- 4,313 residential, 538 commercial, nine industrial and one transportation, according to spokesperson Valerie White.
 
“The economic slowdown, combined with greater gas production and generally mild weather across the country, equaled a dramatic decline in prices,” Randy Friedman, NW Natural director of gas supply, said in a press release. “That allowed us to buy low and share those savings with our customers.”
 
Residential customers using 55 therms of gas each month would see an average monthly bill decrease of about $12. The average commercial bill would be reduced about $54.
 
This isn’t the first time NW Natural has given customers a hand this year. In June, NW Natural passed $32 million in gas cost savings on to its customers as a bill credit.
 
“We are pleased to be able to offer some relief to our customers during these challenging economic times,” NW Natural president and CEO Gregg Kantor said. “As always, we will continue to do everything we can to hold costs down for our customers.”
 
The company will file a final rate reduction request in early October, taking into account the most recent gas purchase prices. If approved, the decrease would take effect Nov. 1.
 
NW Natural is the largest independent natural gas utility in the Pacific Northwest, serving more than 662,000 customers in Oregon and Southwest Washington. For more information, visit www.nwnatural.com.

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