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Builders, union and homeowners urge Washington UTC to preserve line-extension allowance amid Northwest Natural rate case
Summary
At a Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission public comment hearing on April 30, builders, a union representative and homeowners urged the commission to retain Northwest Natural's line-extension allowance, saying removing it would raise upfront home costs and threaten local building projects. Commenters also criticized the scale of the proposed multiyear revenue increases and highlighted affordability concerns.
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission heard public comments on April 30 about Northwest Natural Gas Company's proposed three-year rate plan and a partial settlement that would reduce, but still raise, company revenues.
Chair Brian Rybaric opened the virtual hearing and summarized the filings: Northwest Natural initially proposed revenue increases of $25,600,000 in 2026, $8,600,000 in 2027 and $8,300,000 in 2028; settling parties later submitted a partial settlement proposing $20,100,000 in 2026, $7,700,000 in 2027 and $8,700,000 in 2028. Rybaric noted the settlement is not binding and said the public counsel unit of the Washington Attorney General's Office opposes the proposed partial settlement.
The bulk of public testimony focused on the company's line-extension allowance, a policy that offsets some upfront costs to connect new homes to gas service. Howard Bell, business manager for OPIU Local 11 and a…
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