Each fall, NW Natural files a PGA and other rate adjustments to reflect changes in the expected cost of natural gas for the upcoming winter heating season and account for the differences between the estimated and actual cost of natural gas from the previous year.

NW Natural does not mark-up the price of gas. The PGA is a passthrough of costs for the wholesale price and delivery of natural gas.

NW Natural has taken several steps to maximize affordability, such as locking in gas purchases at lower rates, smart investments in energy storage, and energy efficiency measures.

• NW Natural’s purchasing process locks in future prices to help manage costs for customers.
• Smart investments in gas storage in the 1980s continue to reap benefits for customers today. Storage helps moderate gas costs during the core heating season
• NW Natural was one of the first gas utilities in the nation to implement a rate structure based on decoupling, beginning in 2002. Decoupling is designed to break the link between revenues and the quantity of gas used by customers, removing any financial incentive a utility might have to discourage customers from conserving energy. Today more than 75% of our gas utility revenues are decoupled.

NW Natural offers several payment plans, including Equal Pay, which is designed to take the ups and downs out of your monthly gas bill. The goal is for you to receive more predictable bills throughout the year.

Other payment assistance options are available:

• Oregon: We offer gas bill discounts of 15% to 40% for some households in Oregon whose income is below the state’s median income level.  
• Washington: We offer gas bill discounts of 15% to 80% for some households in Washington whose household income is at or below 80% of area median income.

We also partner with community organizations to offer free home energy improvements for qualifying customers and energy-saving tips to help lower bills year ‘round.

Our rates are regulated and approved by the Public Utility Commission of Oregon (OPUC) and the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC). The current charges on your bill are based on up to five components:

• Monthly service or minimum charge
• Gas usage cost
• Smart Energy carbon offset program charge
• Local taxes
• Public purpose charge

Overall, about 90% of your bill goes toward the cost of gas, delivery and the services provided to you as a customer, with the remaining 10% going toward regulated rate of return on NW Natural’s investment in the gas system. More information is available about how to understand your natural gas bill.

Oregon and Washington are both implementing new climate policies that may affect your bill. More information is available on our climate policy pages for Oregon and Washington.