Reducing our environmental impact while maintaining safe, reliable, and affordable service.
NW Natural is strategically planning to use and develop the resources that will allow us to keep our customers' energy needs now and into the future while fulfilling our commitment in helping the region reduce its impact on the climate and being an integral part of a thriving economy.
Integrated Resource Plan
Updates to NW Natural’s IRP Technical Working Group Process
In order to receive more focused technical input on our IRP and create better customer participation experiences, NW Natural is modifying our stakeholder engagement processes, including our Technical Working Groups (TWGs). Changes to the TWGs are described below and are informed by input received from stakeholders. To support these changes, we have engaged Maul Foster & Alongi, an independent third-party public participation and facilitation consultant. Our primary goals are to ensure technical discussions are held with key stakeholders and to create a process that fosters a safe space for a diverse range of voices to learn about and contribute to the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) development.
TWG changes
TWG changes
To better support the IRP process, we are adapting our TWG process to facilitate robust, collaborative, and technically complex discussions. We will establish a more technical track of engagement through TWGs and a less technical track of engagement through other engagement opportunities. NW Natural is working closely with Maul, Foster, and Alongi to determine the appropriate mix of expertise, group size, and application process.
The TWGs will continue to serve as a technical forum for discussions of complex issues and IRP development, but the structure will change. They will now consist of twelve, 3-hour sessions, replacing the previous six day-long sessions. To facilitate the necessary technical discussions, we are introducing an application process for TWG participation. Information is available on the next tab.
Please note, the new TWG structure will also accommodate observers and provide means for TWG non-members to submit feedback to the IRP team. Additionally, recordings of the meetings will be made available to the general public on NW Natural’s website.
TWG application
TWG application
How to Apply: To apply, please complete the application form at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NWNaturalTWG by September 20, 2024. Alternates for selected participants are encouraged, the team will work with participants prior to the first meeting to identify. If you have technical difficulties or questions, please contact IRP@nwnatural.com and we will provide you with an alternate method of applying.
Key Dates:
- Application Deadline: September 20, 2024
- Selection Notification: October 4, 2024
- TWG Kickoff (tentative): October 15, 2024
- First TWG Meeting (tentative): October 22, 2024
Other engagement opportunities
Other engagement opportunities
In addition to TWGs, the IRP team will be utilizing new and enhanced engagement tools, including a set of webinars. These webinars will be designed to explore IRP topics at a more general level, making them more accessible to those without technical expertise in resource planning. The webinars will be interspersed within the TWG series schedule and will offer avenues for questions and feedback submission to the IRP team.
Resource planning process
2025 IRP working groups & public meetings
2022 IRP working groups & public meetings
Current and previous IRPs
Contact Us
Please feel free to get in touch with us with questions about the IRP, to be added to our stakeholder distribution list, or other topics related to the IRP and its development.