PORTLAND, Oregon — NW Natural's latest proposed rate increase, if approved, means residential customers would see an 18.8% increase. For the average single-family home, that would mean around $14.38 more every month.
The cost for commercial customers would also go up, but at a much lower rate.
The proposed rate hike would generate just under $155 million in additional revenue. NW Natural said that money would cover the cost of seismic upgrades, help them modernize systems, address capacity constraints and keep up with inflation.
Oregon’s Public Utility Commission — which would need to approve the increase — heard public testimony Tuesday night. People mostly fell into two camps, including developers who support the rate increase and an expansion of natural gas access. The other group voiced opposition of any increase in natural gas support because of environmental concerns.
"The use of gas to cook and to heat homes is bad for public health," said Wendy Woods, an environmental advocate. "Second, our area is known to be subject to sizable earthquakes and these are likely to rupture pipelines causing explosions."
Bill Krasngorov, a builder and developer, shared his support for the rate increase.
"I'm a huge advocate for the freedom to choose the energy source that's available to us," Krasngorov said. "Those that want to choose to be all electric are always free do to so. Why limit the majority of our customers' options to select a dual fuel?"
Tuesday’s public hearing was part of a year-long review of NW Natural's rate increase proposal. If the Public Utility Commission approves the rate increase proposal, it would take effect in November.