State expects winter natural gas prices to hold steady

Pamplin Media Group, Jun 29, 2010

Oregon’s Public Utility Commission says Oregonians can expect little change this winter in the cost of their natural gas.

In fact, the commission’s annual Natural Gas Price Outlook meeting on Tuesday in Salem found that some people might even pay slightly less for natural gas this winter.

“Oregon’s three natural gas companies told us that compared with the double-digit decreases we saw a year ago that prices should remain about the same,” said Commission Chairman Ray Baum. “I see this as good news for households and businesses that may still be hurting from the effects of our weak economy.”

About 740,000 Oregonians buy natural gas from one of three companies.

NW Natural, which serves Northwest Oregon, told commissioners prices paid by their customers should remain unchanged to slightly lower.

Avista Utilities, which serves portions of southwest and northeastern Oregon, predicted a range of no change to a 5 percent drop in the cost of its natural gas. Cascade Natural Gas, which serves Central Oregon and parts of Northeast Oregon, told the commission that its prices would likely remain unchanged and could be slightly lower.

The commission reported that price stability could be tied to a weak demand for natural gas and increased supplies.

Facebook	Digg	Del.icio.us
Newsvine	Stumbleupon	Reddit