Customer Costs
As utility companies increase rates for Oregonians, they’re also fighting policies that would protect our climate and communities.
Oregon Gas Utility Wants to Bill Customers Millions for Executive Bonuses and ‘Misleading’ Advertising
“NW Natural, a gas utility based in Oregon, is seeking to raise gas bills on its customers in order to pay for millions in executive bonuses, higher returns to shareholders, and a larger advertising budget. It is also hoping to saddle ratepayers with costs associated with the utility’s political activities, in which the company engaged […]
Customer Costs
Oregon gas company using ratepayer money to fight state climate program
“Oregon’s second largest natural gas provider spent ratepayer funds fighting state climate change regulations while simultaneously attempting to raise rates for customers.”
Customer Costs
Avista will have smaller rate increases, can’t use customer money for lawsuit under settlement
“Oregon’s second largest natural gas utility won’t be able to charge customers to pay for its political and lobbying activities and will have to decrease its proposed 2024 rate increase under a settlement agreement approved Thursday by the Oregon Public Utility Commission.”
Customer Costs
The Health & Safety Risks
From childhood asthma to dangerous pipeline leaks, methane gas presents serious health and safety risks in our homes and communities.
Fumes in Focus – Visualizing Air Pollution from Gas Stoves
“Research described in this report shows that gas appliances contribute to both indoor air pollution and climate change. While outdoor air pollution and some of its most common pollutants have been regulated for decades through various means in the United States, no federal standards or guidelines govern indoor air pollution.”
Climate Impacts, Health & Safety Risks
How gas utilities used tobacco tactics to avoid gas stove regulations
“As the scientific evidence grew over time about the health effects from gas stoves, the [gas] industry used a playbook echoing the one that tobacco companies employed for decades to fend off regulation…Research backed by the gas industry generated doubt and controversy over the health effects of stoves that affected policymaking around protecting people’s health.”
Climate Impacts, Health & Safety Risks, NW Natural
Gas leak prompts multiple Beaverton home evacuations
“Multiple Beaverton households were evacuated as the result of a natural gas leak Friday morning, according to Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue.”
Health & Safety Risks
Climate Impacts
80 times as potent as carbon dioxide, methane is driving our climate crisis and polluting our air. But the gas industry continues to block needed efforts to transition to safer, cleaner fuel sources.
Multnomah County adds NW Natural to $52 billion lawsuit against fossil fuel companies
“Filed on Monday, the county’s amended civil complaint alleges NW Natural is responsible for a substantial amount of greenhouse gas emission pollution in Oregon and that the company has sought to disseminate misinformation about climate harm caused by carbon emissions.”
Climate Impacts, NW Natural
Natural gas utilities must act quickly to meet state-mandated emissions cuts, report finds
“Oregon’s three natural gas providers need to move faster to cut greenhouse emissions or risk incurring significant fines and stalling the state’s efforts to combat climate change, a two-year investigation from the state’s Public Utilities Commission found.”
Climate Impacts, NW Natural
Gas Utility Proposes Costly Hydrogen Project, Raising Environmental Justice Concerns
“A coalition of environmental and social justice organizations have filed a petition with state regulators to halt a hydrogen project by Oregon’s largest gas utility, alleging that the project poses health, safety, and environmental dangers to residents already living with polluting industries.”
Climate Impacts, NW Natural