BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Request of  ) 
Northwest Natural Gas Company  )
for an Order Establishing Compliance ) DOCKET UG-960715
with RCW 80.08.40 With Respect to )
its Proposed Stock Dividend  ) ORDER
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ) 


Background

  On May 30, 1996, Northwest Natural Gas Company (Northwest/Company) filed an 
application with the Commission under the provisions of RCW 80.08.040 for an 
order establishing compliance with the requirements of that statute in 
connection with Northwest’s proposed three-for-two stock split by means of a 50 
percent stock dividend.

  As revised, RCW 80.08.040 requires the Company to file certain information 
with the Commission and authorizes the Company, at its option, to request the 
Commission to enter an order that the Company has complied with the 
requirements of RCW 80.08.040.  The Company has filed the information required 
by RCW 80.08.040 and has requested that the Commission confirm that the Company 
has complied with the requirements of RCW 80.08.040.

FINDINGS

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  1. Northwest Natural Gas Company, an Oregon corporation, is a public service 
company subject to the jurisdiction of this Commission under the provisions of 
chapter 80.08 RCW.

  2. As to form, the application and information filed herein meets the 
requirements of chapter 80.08 RCW and the rules and regulations of the 
Commission adopted pursuant thereto.

  3. The Company’s application in this Docket contains:  (a) a description of 
the purposes for which the issuance is made; no certification by an officer 
that the proceeds from such financing is for one or more of the purposes 
allowed by chapter 80.08 RCW is required, because there will be no proceeds to 
the Company from this issuance; (b) a description of the proposed issuance, 
including the terms of financing; and (c) a statement as to why the proposed 
transaction is in the public interest.


Docket UG-960715        Page 2



  4. An order consistent with the above findings should be entered.

ORDER

  THE COMMISSION ORDERS:

  1. Northwest Natural Gas Company has complied with the requirements of RCW 
80.08.040.

  2. Northwest Natural Gas Company is hereby authorized to enter into the 
transaction substantially as described in the Company’s application.

  3. This order shall in no way affect the authority of this Commission over 
rates, service, accounts, valuations, estimates or determination of costs, or 
any matters whatsoever that may come before it, nor shall anything herein be 
construed as an acquiescence in any estimate or determination of costs, or any 
valuation of property claimed or asserted.

  
  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this     th day of June, 1996.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



       STEVE KING
       Acting Secretary