The Enterprise - White Salmon, Washington

Washington gas customers to pay less

Effective Nov. 1

October 30, 2012

Northwest Natural Gas Company announced that the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved for implementation a rate reduction for NW Natural gas customers.

Starting Nov. 1, Washington residential rates will be reduced by about 8 percent so a residential customer using 55 therms a month will see an average monthly bill decrease of about $5.

Commercial rates will also be reduced by about 8 percent, so a commercial customer using 237 therms a month will see an average monthly bill decrease of about $21.

"Over the last four years, lower natural gas prices have helped reduce Washington rates by about 34 percent, saving our customers $42 million," said Gregg Kantor, NW Natural president and CEO. "Robust domestic natural gas supplies are helping customers save on their monthly gas bills again this winter."

Each year, NW Natural and other local gas utilities adjust their rates to reflect changes in wholesale natural gas prices.

The new rates reflect gas purchases for the year beginning Nov. 1. Customers will see the change on their bills starting in November. WUTC staff will be continuing their review of the wholesale costs for all four natural gas utilities in Washington, which could later have an effect on rates.