BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

  
WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

                                      Complainant,

vs.

Northwest Natural

                                     Respondent
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	)	DOCKET UG-000073
		
		COMPLAINT AND ORDER SUSPENDING TARIFF REVISIONS


  On January 21, 2000, Northwest Natural Gas Company (“NW Natural” or “Company” 
) filed with the Commission revisions to its currently effective Tariff WN 
U-6.  The proposed tariff changes are designated as follows:


Revision Sheet No.	Schedule No.	Customer Type
Fifth Revision of Sheet 101.1	Schedule 1	General Sales Schedule
Fifth Revision of Sheet 102.1	Schedule 2	Residential Sales Service
Fifth Revision of Sheet 103.1	Schedule 3	Commercial and Industrial Service
Fifth Revision of Sheet 104.1	Schedule 4	Large Firm Service
Fifth Revision of Sheet 105.1	Schedule 5	High Load factor Large Firm Service
Fifth Revision of Sheet 111.1	Schedule 11	Seasonal Swing and off-peak Firm Service
Fifth Revision of Sheet 119.1	Schedule 19	Gas light Service
Fifth Revision of Sheet 121.1	Schedule 21	Firm Service High Load Factor
Fifth Revision of Sheet 122.1	Schedule 22	Dual Fuel Sales Service
Fifth Revision of Sheet 123.1	Schedule 23	High Priority Interruptible Service
Fifth Revision of Sheet 124.1	Schedule 24	Residential Sales Service-All Gas





Docket UG-000073          Page 2
 
          Continued
Revision Sheet No.	Schedule No.	Customer Type
Fifth Revision of Sheet 127.1	Schedule 27	Residential Heating Dry-out Service
Fifth Revision of Sheet 154.1	Schedule 54	Emergency Sales Service
		
		
		
		
Fifth Revision of Sheet 155.2	Schedule 55	Interruptible Incentive Sales and 
Transportation Service
Fifth Revision of Sheet 155.3	Schedule 55	Interruptible Incentive Sales and 
Transportation Service
Second Revision of Sheet 190-T.1	Schedule 90-T	Basic Firm Transportation Service
Second Revision of Sheet 191-T.1	Schedule 91-T	Basic Interruptible Transportation Service
First Revision of Sheet 207.1	Schedule 207	General rate Adjustment
First Revision of Sheet 207.2	Schedule 207	General rate Adjustment
First Revision of Sheet 207.3	Schedule 207	General rate Adjustment
First Revision of Sheet 211.1	Schedule 211	Special Rate Adjustment (Sch. 90-T & 91-T) 
-Canceled
First Revision of Sheet 213.1	Schedule 213	Special Rate Adjustment (demand changes)- All 
firm sales and transportation rate schedules -canceled
First Revision of Sheet 214.1	Schedule 214	Special Rate Adjustment (Margin Revenue)- 
Residential Service-canceled
First Revision of Sheet C.1	Schedule C	Miscellaneous charges
First Revision of Sheet C.2	Schedule C	Miscellaneous charges


  The proposed effective date for the tariff revisions is  February 21, 2000. 
However, the Company has suggested that it is willing to implement the proposed 
tariff revisions in three phases: Phase 1 to begin on May 1, 2000, Phase II to 
start on December 1, 2000 and the final phase to start on May 1, 2001. 
Furthermore, the company has requested a waiver to an embedded cost of service 
study. The commission will consider the request for a waiver of the embedded 
cost study at the prehearing conference.

  It appears that the proposed tariff revisions will result in an increase in 
the charges and rates for natural gas service rendered by Respondent, and that 
the rights and interests of the public might be injuriously affected.  It is 
the decision of the Commission to suspend the operation of the proposed tariff 
revisions.  The Commission will initiate such hearings as are necessary and 
appropriate concerning the proposed tariff revisions and investigate whether 
the proposed rates and changes are just, fair, reasonable and sufficient.
Docket UG-000073         Page 3

  In accordance with RCW 80.04.130, the burden of proof to show that such 
increases are just and reasonable shall be upon the Respondent.  Pursuant to 
RCW 80.20.020, NW Natural may be required to bear the cost of this 
investigation.

ORDER

  1.  The operation of the tariff revisions filed January 21, 2000 by NW 
Natural is suspended.

  2.  A hearing or hearings, on the Commission’s own motion, shall be held at 
such times and places as may be required.

  3.  No change or alteration shall be made in the filed tariff revisions 
during the period of suspension without prior written authorization of the 
Commission.
  
  4.  As provided in RCW 80.20.020, NW Natural may be required to bear the cost 
of this investigation.

  Dated at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 9th day of February, 
2000.      

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



      MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman



      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner



      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner