PUC Approves Lower Rates For Cascade Natural Gas Customers Starting October 31 - 10/29/25

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently approved a decrease in rates for Cascade Natural Gas customers that goes into effect October 31, 2025. The change is the result of several annual filings, including a decrease in natural gas prices combined with other filings.

Customer Impact

The combined result of these annual filings means the monthly bill of a typical residential customer using an average of 56 therms per month will decrease by $0.86 or 1.39 percent, for a new monthly bill of about $60.74. The amount rates will decrease for each customer varies depending on customer type (residential, commercial, or industrial) and energy usage.

Reasons for Adjustment

Each year the PUC reviews the actual cost of natural gas and approves adjustments annually to rates accordingly through a process called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA). The PGA allows utilities to pass through the cost of purchasing natural gas to the customers without a markup on the price. This year, natural gas prices were moderate, and Cascade Natural Gas collected more than needed from customers last year. As a result, the PGA combined with decisions on other rate-related filings that also go into effect October 31, resulted in a decrease in customer rates.

“Oregon’s purchased gas adjustment mechanism reflects that the cost of natural gas is driven largely by regional, national, and global factors outside the utility’s control, but it holds utilities accountable for careful management within those market conditions,” said PUC Chair Letha Tawney. “We are fortunate this year to see the stabilizing supply and demand of natural gas ease financial pressures on customers.”

Manage Energy Use and Bills

• Explore rebates and energy-saving tips through the Energy Trust of Oregon.
• Learn about the CARES bill assistance program, help with past-due bills, and the Budget Pay Program that spreads costs evenly throughout the year, call Cascade Natural Gas at 888-522-1130 or visit their website for more information.
• Reach out to local Community Action agencies to find out what other support is available.

Cascade Natural Gas serves more than 75,000 customers in the Bend region and parts of Northeast Oregon.  

Combined Decisions Result In A Lower Rate Increase For NW Natural Customers Than Requested - 10/29/25

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently approved a rate increase that goes into effect October 31, 2025. New rates are a combined result of NW Natural’s general rate case, the decrease in natural gas costs, and other annual adjustments. The update to general rates is the result of a compromise between PUC staff, NW Natural, and consumer advocates.

Customer Impact

The combined result of the reduced general rate increase and other annual filings means the monthly bill of typical residential customer is expected to increase by $4.38 or 5.4%, for a new monthly bill of about $85.95. The amount rates will increase for each customer varies depending on customer type (single-family or multi-family residential, commercial, or industrial) and energy usage.

Reasons for Adjustment

NW Natural originally requested to increase the revenue collected from all customers in its general rate case by $59.4 million, but the PUC approved a settlement between parties which reduced the increase to $24.74 million. NW Natural identifies the drivers for the general rates increase as capital investments, such as the modernization of information technology and services systems, construction of seismically secure resource centers, the upgrade of distribution systems and storage operations, and implementation of a meter modernization program. Additionally, each year the PUC reviews the actual cost of natural gas and approves adjustments to rates accordingly through a process called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA). The PGA requires utilities to pass through the cost of purchasing natural gas to customers without a markup on the price. This year, customers receive a credit due to moderate natural gas prices and the return of unneeded funds from last year. As a result, the general rates decision, PGA, and other annual adjustment filings resulted in an increase in customer rates.

“We appreciate the hard work of PUC staff and stakeholders as well as NW Natural’s willingness to reach a compromise that significantly reduced the general rate case revenue requirement from the original request,” said Letha Tawney, Commission Chair. “The approved increase balances the utility’s need to recover the cost of providing safe service with the Commission’s obligation to protect customers—particularly the most vulnerable customers--from unnecessary rate impacts. Thanks to House Bill 3179, customers can be assured their bills moving forward will not increase during the winter heating season, giving families more predictability when they need it most.”

Manage Energy Use and Bills

• Explore rebates and energy-saving tips through the Energy Trust of Oregon.
• Learn about bill assistance programs, help with past-due bills, and the Budget Pay Program that spreads costs evenly throughout the year by calling NW Natural at 800-422-4012 or visit their website.
• Reach out to local Community Action agencies to find out what other support is available.

NW Natural serves nearly 700,000 customers in northwest Oregon.

# # #

PUC Approves Rate Adjustments For Avista Customers: Lower Natural Gas Costs Offset By Other Annual Adjustments - 10/29/25

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently approved an overall increase in rates for Avista customers that goes into effect October 31, 2025.

The change is the result of several annual adjustments, including a decrease in natural gas prices combined with other filings focused on energy efficiency, customer programs, among others.

Customer Impact
The combined result of these annual filings means the monthly bill of a typical residential customer using an average of 46 therms per month will increase by $1.75 or 2.56%, bringing the average monthly bill to about $70.18. The amount rates will increase for each customer varies depending on customer type (residential, commercial, or industrial) and energy usage.

Reasons for the Adjustment
Each year the PUC reviews the actual cost of natural gas and approves adjustments to rates accordingly through a process called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA). The PGA allows utilities to pass through the cost of purchasing natural gas to customers without a markup on the price. This year, natural gas prices were moderate, and Avista collected more than needed from customers last year. As a result, the PGA led to a decrease in natural gas costs in customers’ bills.

Despite the lower gas prices, other approved updates, such as funding for energy efficiency programs and customer support services, resulted in a net increase in rates. Altogether, these changes will raise Avista’s total revenue, or the amount collected from customers, by $4.1 million.

“Our goal is to ensure Avista’s rates reflect the true cost of providing service and are fair and reasonable for customers,” said PUC Chair Letha Tawney. “We carefully review all filings to ensure customers see accurate rates that reflect both market changes and essential utility costs.”

Manage Energy Use and Bills

• Explore rebates and energy-saving tips through the Energy Trust of Oregon.
• Learn about bill assistance programs, including income-based discounts and Comfort Level Billing, which spreads costs evenly throughout the year, contact Avista at 800-227-9187 or visit their website.
• Reach out to local Community Action agencies to find out what support is available.

Avista serves more than 100,000 customers in portions of southwest and northeastern Oregon.