Oregon Regulator Stymies Rate Hike From State’s Top Gas Utility

Oregon’s largest gas utility won’t raise consumer rates to advertise natural gas and expand its infrastructure after a decision from the state’s utility authority, an instance of state regulators taking a role in the clean energy transition.

The Oregon Public Utility Commission rejected a significant portion of Northwest Natural’s suggested rate hike in an order filed Monday. The commission’s decision also reduced subsidies for new gas hookups over the next three years and expanded a low-income energy efficiency program to give households up to $4,000 each for energy-saving home improvements.

The rate hike sought by NW Natural in part would ...