Cascade Natural Gas requests 16 percent rate hike this fall; Oregon PUC seeks public input

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Cascade Natural Gas has filed a request with the Oregon Public Utility Commission to increase its annual revenue by $16.4 million, a proposal that if approved would raise customer rates by nearly 16 percent this fall.

The PUC plans to host a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, March 3, to gather feedback from customers regarding the proposed increase.

The agency said the proposal represents the company's first general rate case filing since 2020.

According to Cascade Natural Gas, the additional funds are needed to cover growing operations and maintenance costs while supporting improvements to system safety and reliability.

For a typical residential customer using an average of 59 therms of natural gas a month, their bill would go up by about $11.07. This change would raise the monthly average customer bill by about 17 percent, from $63.63 to $74.70.

The PUC noted that actual bill changes will vary based on customer type, including residential, commercial or industrial classifications, as well as specific usage levels and existing rates.

The public meeting on March 3 will take place virtually from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. PST. This session is designed to allow customers to provide testimony and share thoughts on the proposal.

Earlier that day, staff from the Public Utility Commission will host a virtual workshop from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to provide information and answer customer questions about the rate filing.

The filing is currently undergoing a review process that lasts nearly a year. It includes participation by the PUC, the Oregon Citizens' Utility Board and various other stakeholders. Commissioners have the authority to approve or modify the request from Cascade Natural Gas, and the state agency said it will only approve increases that the company justifies through the review process.

The PUC is scheduled to make a final decision on the request in October. Any new rates approved by the commission would take effect Oct. 26.

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More details, as provided Wednesday by the PUC:

Informational Workshop

When: Tuesday, March 3, 2026, from 2-4 p.m. PST

This virtual/phone-in workshop provides an opportunity to learn about Cascade Natural Gas’ proposal and ask questions of PUC staff. This session is informational only; public comments will not be taken.

Zoom link and phone-in details: https://bit.ly/4s1tjTk

Ways to Comment

Community members can share their comments on Cascade Natural Gas’ rate request in several ways.

Comment at the virtual public meeting

When: Tuesday, March 3, 2026, from 6-7 p.m. PST

This meeting may run past 7 p.m. to allow more people to comment. The Commission will work to provide an opportunity to comment for those who join before 7 p.m. The meeting will end at 7 p.m. if no members of the public are waiting to speak. To ensure time to comment, please join as close to 6 p.m. as possible.  This event will not be livestreamed.

Zoom link and phone-in details: https://bit.ly/4kRYXQQ

Spanish translation services are offered at no charge for community convenience. To access translation services, sign in to Zoom and choose English or Spanish at the bottom of the screen. Translation is not supported for participants joining by phone.

Other ways to comment

Please submit comments by June 15, 2026, using one of the following options:

• Public Comment Form online
• Email: PUC.PublicComments@puc.oregon.gov  
• Phone: 503-378-6600 or 800-522-2404 (all relay calls accepted)
• Mail: Oregon Public Utility Commission, Attn: AHD – UG 525, PO Box 1088, Salem OR 97308-1088
   

Stay Informed

To receive updates and public documents related to this case, request to be added to the distribution list. Email puc.hearings@puc.oregon.gov or call 503-378-6678. Please include Docket No. UG 525 in the request.

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Cascade Natural Gas General Rate Case: Docket # UG 525

The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, including Portland General Electric, Idaho Power, Pacific Power, Avista, Cascade Natural, and NW Natural. The PUC also regulates landline telephone providers and select water companies. The PUC’s mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable, and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. We use an inclusive process to evaluate differing viewpoints and visions of the public intere