PORTLAND, Ore. – NW Natural, the gas utility whose service territory covers Oregon and SW Washington, is asking customers to conserve gas use in response to record breaking natural gas use caused by extreme winter temperatures and complications from a regional storage facility in Washington that’s creating significant pressure problems on the Williams pipeline that serves our region.
We are seeing increased usage by utility customers across our region due to frigid temperatures, which are expected to continue into next week. Increased use can strain utility systems, which could potentially affect service.
Customers can help take precautions now by lowering thermostats as much as you can comfortably and safely manage. Other helpful steps include minimizing hot water usage and turning off non-essential appliances.
We appreciate your help during these extreme conditions. Thank you.
Kim Rush, Chief Operations Officer at NW Natural added that NW Natural’s gas system is operating at full capacity safely and that field teams are positioned across our service area and ready to respond to customer needs. “We want to thank our customers because modest efforts to conserve can make a big impact in helping the entire energy system navigate this extreme weather event.”
About NW Natural
NW Natural is a local distribution company that currently provides natural gas service to approximately 2.5 million people in more than 140 communities through more than 795,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural owns and operates 21 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity in Oregon. NW Natural, a part of Northwest Natural Holding Company, (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and has been doing business for 165 years. NW Holdings owns NW Natural, NW Natural Renewables Holdings (NW Natural Renewables), NW Natural Water Company (NW Natural Water), and other business interests.
We have a longstanding commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and taking care of our employees and communities. Learn more in our latest ESG Report.
###