Oregon Gas Utility Wants to Bill Customers Millions for Executive Bonuses and 'Misleading' Adverts

[Celerity]

NW Natural is positioning itself as a climate leader, but critics suggest the gas utility is attempting to block the push towards electrification — and to get ratepayers to foot the bill.

https://www.desmog.com/2022/05/09/oregon-nw-natural-gas-rate-increase-earthjustice/



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 in “misleading” marketing to perpetuate the use of gas at a time when the state is attempting to electrify homes and businesses, a coalition of environmental organizations led by Earthjustice argue in a formal proceeding.

The utility has formally asked Oregon’s public utilities commission (PUC) for a rate increase of more than $70 million, a roughly 12 percent hike over current rates. This comes on the tail of a 13 percent bump that was enacted late last year. If the new increase is approved, Oregon gas customers will see their rates jump 25 percent over 12 months.

The 2021 rate increase was the result of higher commodity costs, which are passed on to customers. Part of the latest proposed increase is connected to investments in IT and safety upgrades, the utility says. But it also contains much more controversial elements.

NW Natural also wants ratepayers to pick up the tab for millions of dollars of executive bonuses and higher returns to shareholders. “Customers shouldn’t be paying for rewards that are about benefiting shareholders,” Bob Jenks, executive director of the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board (CUB), a residential customer advocacy group, told DeSmog.

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[CrispyQ]

1. I would say, "Unbelievable!" but nothing is unbelievable anymore. -nt

[retiredgeek]

2. Not surprised

By this. I lived in Oregon for many years. It was nice, not too many crazies, but down hill lately. Friends that still live there say the govt is useless and just keeps passing crazy laws. Houses are out of normal people’s reach. Eastern Oregon is much more conservative than Western Oregon.