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NEWSROOM
NWGA Comments on SEPA Review - Williams Huntington Connector Project
July 16, 2026 Washington State Department of Ecology P.O. Box 47600 Olympia, WA 98504 RE: SEPA Review – Williams Huntingdon Connector Project To Whom It May Concern: The Northwest Gas Association (NWGA) appreciates the opportunity to provide comments regarding the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review of the proposed Huntingdon Connector Project. NWGA represents the region's natural gas utilities and transmission companies that provide safe,reliable, and afford
Jul 163 min read
Open Access - July 2026
NWGA Gas Outlook Released, Webinar and Newsboys.
Jul 151 min read
Pacific Northwest Faces Growing Natural Gas Demand, Capacity Concerns
Original Article: "Report: Northwest Natural Gas Demand to Grow 12.2 Percent by 2035" Author/Source: Greg Mason, NewsData Published: July 14, 2026 A newly released industry outlook is projecting significant growth in natural gas demand across the Pacific Northwest over the next decade, while raising concerns about whether the region's existing infrastructure can keep pace. The Northwest Gas Association's 2026 Pacific Northwest Gas Market Outlook, covering Washington, Oregon,
Jul 152 min read
Let's Get Real About Energy: The 2026 Pacific Northwest Gas Market Outlook
The Pacific Northwest is entering a new energy era. Rapid population growth, electrification, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, large energy loads, and increasing expectations for reliability are fundamentally changing the region's energy needs. Yet much of today's public conversation still treats energy as a simple choice between competing fuels. The Northwest Gas Association's 2026 Pacific Northwest Gas Market Outlook report reaches a different conclusion.
Jul 153 min read
NWGA Releases 2026 Pacific Northwest Gas Market Outlook
NWGA Releases its 2026 Gas Outlook
Jul 143 min read
BC's CleanBC Policy and the Search for New Hydroelectric Dams
Original Article: "Policy Choices, More Than LNG, are Driving BC's Search for New Dams" Author/Source: GlobeNewswire Published: June 25, 2026 British Columbia's provincial government has announced that BC Hydro is actively studying two large new hydroelectric dam projects, one at Site E on the Peace River and another near Bute Inlet at Homathko. Together, these proposed projects could deliver more than 1,600 megawatts of generating capacity and produce between 6,000 and 7,500
Jul 72 min read
Eugene's Home Electrification Efforts
Author: Nathan Wilk (KLCC / Northwest News Network / OPB) Published: July 4, 2026 Three years after Eugene, Oregon pulled its proposed ban on new natural gas hookups in low-rise residential buildings, the city has made little measurable progress on home electrification. The original 2023 ordinance was abandoned after a Ninth Circuit ruling struck down a similar California ban on federal preemption grounds, effectively creating a legal wall for such bans nationwide. In the tim
Jul 72 min read
Opposition to Proposed Climate Impact Fee on Natural Gas Appliances
June 1, 2026 Mayor and Members of the Bend City Council City of Bend 710 NW Wall Street Bend, Oregon 97703 Dear Mayor and Council Members, RE: Opposition to Proposed Climate Impact Fee on Natural Gas Appliances We write to respectfully oppose the City of Bend’s proposed 20% “climate impact fee” on new homes built with natural gas equipment. While we share the Council’s commitment to a cleaner energy future, this fee is the wrong tool, applied at the wrong level, at the wrong
Jun 305 min read
Washington Lawmaker Calls for Major Energy Grid Expansion in the Pacific Northwest
The Reflector, Posted Monday, June 15, 2026 6:49 pm Washington Lawmaker Calls for Major Energy Grid Expansion in the Pacific Northwest Washington State Representative John Ley (R-Vancouver) is raising the alarm about the Pacific Northwest's ability to meet growing energy demands while simultaneously transitioning to clean electricity sources. Following his attendance at the Northwest Gas Association's annual conference in Sunriver, Oregon, Ley highlighted what he describes as
Jun 252 min read
The Bend Bulletin's Guest column: Natural gas is not a fossil fuel to be simply phased out
Published 7:56 am Tuesday, June 2, 2026 By Kelly Fukai CEO of the NW Gas Association To read on the Bend Bulletin, click here. The city of Bend is moving forward with a 20% “climate impact fee” on new homes built with natural gas equipment. Supporters say it’s time to “stop digging”, implying Bend is in a carbon hole. However, Bend isn’t in a hole, it is on a bridge. The real risk isn’t that Bend keeps digging — it’s that the city burns the bridge its citizens need before we
Jun 253 min read
Data centers aren’t WA’s biggest electrical grid problem, it’s winter
May 27, 2026 at 8:00 am Updated May 27, 2026 at 8:00 am By Kurt Miller and Kelly Fukai Special to The Seattle Times Click here to read at the Seattle Times Most of Washington’s public energy debate centers on AI and data centers. The April 2026 E3 resource adequacy study — which The Seattle Times editorial board rightly called an alarm for every Washingtonian in “Here’s what WA needs to do to prevent utility-bill hikes and blackouts” — should reframe that conversation. Th
Jun 254 min read
Open Access - June 2026
A monthly newsletter from the NWGA for Pacific NW natural gas industry stakeholders and observers.
Jun 101 min read
Northwest Gas Association Names Jason Verduzco Director of Advocacy and Outreach
NWGA Names Jason Verduzco Director of Advocacy and Outreach.
May 212 min read
Open Access - May 2026
This month's newsletter includes: Annual Energy Conference Countdown Recently Released Forecast and Study Newsbits
May 161 min read
Open Access - April 2026
This month's newsletter includes: NWGA Blog: April is Safe Digging Month Industry Events AEC Registration is Open Newsbits
Apr 131 min read
NWGA Comments on ODOE’s TIGHGER 2.0 Draft Gap Measures and Scenarios for Analysis
April 10, 2026 TO: Oregon Department of Energy FR: Kelly Fukai, CEO, NW Gas Association VIA: OCAC@energy.oregon.gov RE: NWGA Comments on ODOE’s TIGHGER 2.0 Draft Gap Measures and Scenarios for Analysis The Northwest Gas Association (NWGA) respectfully submits these comments to the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) regarding the TIGHGER 2.0 Draft Gap Measures and Scenarios. NWGA represents three natural gas utilities and two transmission pipelines
Apr 137 min read
April Is Safe Digging Month: A Critical Reminder from NWGA
Each April, utilities and safety organizations across the country recognize National Safe Digging Month —a timely reminder as spring projects ramp up across the Pacific Northwest. For regional natural gas utilities in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, this month is not just a seasonal campaign—it is a core component of public safety, system integrity, and reliable energy delivery. As warmer weather arrives, homeowners, contractors, and municipalities begin landscaping, construc
Apr 33 min read
Open Access - March 2026
This month's newsleter includes: NWGA Blog: National Influence, Regional Impact: Ann Rendahl and the Next Chapter of Northwest Energy Policy. AEC Registration is Open. Newbsits
Mar 311 min read
National Influence, Regional Impact: Ann Rendahl and the Next Chapter of Northwest Energy Policy
The Pacific Northwest’s energy landscape continues to evolve amid rising electricity demand, accelerating decarbonization policies, and increasing pressure on infrastructure reliability. In this environment, leadership within utility regulation carries outsized importance. The appointment and continued national leadership of Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) Commissioner Ann Rendahl represents a significant moment for the region — not only because of he
Mar 113 min read
Open Access - February 2026
This month's newsletter includes: Cracking the Code: Understanding Your Natural Gas bill in the Pacific Northwest. Newsbits Annual Energy Conference Sponsorships
Feb 121 min read
Cracking the Code: Understanding Your Natural Gas Bill in the Pacific Northwest
For many residents in the Pacific Northwest, opening a utility bill can feel like deciphering a secret code. You see the final amount due, but the string of line items—from "Purchased Gas Adjustments" to "Public Purpose Charges"—can be confusing. While it’s easy to focus solely on the "bottom line," understanding the specific categories of your natural gas bill is essential for managing your household budget and understanding how energy policy impacts your wallet. In our regi
Feb 103 min read
Open Access - Janaury 2026
A monthly newsletter for those interested in the PNW energy industry.
Jan 101 min read
Under Pressure: Assessing the Reliability and Cost-Effectiveness of the Stress Test in Light of Washington’s Climate Commitment Act
Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) represents one of the most ambitious climate frameworks in the nation. Its goals—reducing emissions, accelerating electrification, and supporting a cleaner energy system—are broadly shared across the Northwest. As implementation progresses, however, the region is confronting an immediate practical challenge: how to meet these climate commitments in a way that preserves the reliability and affordability that customers count on. This ba
Jan 93 min read
CONVERSATIONS LIVE - The Energy Trilemma: Accessibility, Sustainability, Affordability
Energy access and sustainability are at the heart of Canada's economy and British Columbia is facing a pivotal moment. How can we ensure energy security, equitable access, and environmental responsibility in a rapidly evolving landscape? Join us on Conversations Live for a timely and thought-provoking panel on June 17 at 5:30 PM. We’ll explore BC’s current energy mix, still dominated by electricity and fossil fuels, and the practical realities of transitioning to alternatives
Dec 19, 20251 min read
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