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Northwest Natural outlines options, high costs for extending gas service to Estacada
Summary
Northwest Natural representatives briefed the Estacada City Council on routes, estimated costs and financing options to extend natural gas service roughly 10 miles to the city edge. Company representatives said a 2018 cost estimate of about $20 million likely would now be 1.5–2 times higher and recommended a feasibility study before design.
Northwest Natural officials told the Estacada City Council on Oct. 9 that extending a transmission pipeline roughly 10 miles to serve the city would be technically feasible but expensive and politically complex.
"We are a regulated utility, and we can't bring on new customers that don't pay their way onto the system," said Nina Carlson, government affairs and economic development representative for Northwest Natural. Carlson and Andrea Canal, the company's engineering manager, spoke with councilors about potential pipeline routes, financing options and next steps.
Why it matters: Councilors and staff said bringing natural gas to the city could make Estacada more competitive for industrial users in the city’s industrial park and give residents another heating option amid rising electric rates. Northwest Natural said the typical backbone…
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