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

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

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

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

A monthly newsletter for those interested in the PNW energy industry.

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

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

Energy officials at the Oct. 9 Regional Energy Symposium in Portland, Oregon, offered solutions to address the Pacific Northwest’s urgent resource-adequacy crisis—key among them being the need for more gas infrastructure and natural gas-electric coordination. Scott Kinney, vice president of energy resources and integrated planning at Avista, said the idea for the symposium could be traced to an outage at the Jackson Prairie natural gas storage facility—co-owned by Avista, Pug

By 2030, the region faces a supply shortfall of nearly 9 gigawatts, equal to Oregon's entire load, according to a new analysis. Read the full article here.

Does the Pacific Northwest have the energy it needs to prevent rolling blackouts? A new report commissioned by the region’s largest utilities has raised concerns. Starting next year, the Northwest could face a power shortage that would challenge the reliability of the grid during extreme conditions, according to the report. The report analyzed the region’s energy plans against potential weather and hydropower conditions across Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and parts of

Natural gas “line extension” policies determine how and when utilities connect new homes, businesses, and industries to their systems. Though technical in nature, these policies shape community growth, affordability, and reliability across the energy grid. The American Gas Association (AGA) recently published  The Current State of Natural Gas Utility Line Extension Policies   and a companion one-pager outlining how states balance cost recovery and fairness. Line extension rul

November 5, 2025 Oregon Building Codes Division 1535 Edgewater Street NW Salem, OR 97304 Re: Section N1105.8 (Heat Pump Requirement) in the 2026 Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Chapter 11 – Energy Efficiency To BCD Staff and Members of the Committee: Thank you for the opportunity last week to comment on the 2026 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC), Chapter 11. I am writing to further express concern with Section N1105.8, which would mandate that any new dwelling with