DOCKET UG-971663  Page 1
 


BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Requested )
Waiver of Statutory Notice in ) DOCKET UG-971663
Connection with the Tariff )
Revisions Filed by ) ORDER GRANTING LESS
NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY. ) THAN STATUTORY NOTICE
 )


  On November 20, 1997, Northwest Natural Gas Company filed with the Commission 
under its Advice No. WUTC 97-4 revisions to its currently effective Tariff WN 
U-6, designated as:

  First Revision of Sheet ix;
  Rate Summary, Pages 1-9;
  First Revision of Sheet 101.1, Schedule 1;
  First Revision of Sheet 102.1, Schedule 2;
  First Revision of Sheet 103.1, Schedule 3;
  First Revision of Sheet 104.1, Schedule 4;
  First Revision of Sheet 105.1, Schedule 5;
  First Revision of Sheet 111.1, Schedule 11;
  First Revision of Sheet 119.1, Schedule 19;
  First Revision of Sheet 121.1, Schedule 21;
  First Revision of Sheet 122.1, Schedule 22;
  First Revision of Sheet 123.1, Schedule 23;
  First Revision of Sheet 124.1, Schedule 24;
  First Revision of Sheet 127.1, Schedule 27;
  First Revision of Sheet 154.1, Schedule 54;
  First Revision of Sheet 155.2, Schedule 55;
  First Revision of Sheet 155.3, Schedule 55;
  First Revision of Sheet 103-T.1, Schedule 3-T;
  First Revision of Sheet 104-T.1, Schedule 4-T;
  First Revision of Sheet 105-T.1, Schedule 5-T;
  First Revision of Sheet 111-T.1, Schedule 11-T;
  First Revision of Sheet 121-T.1, Schedule;
  First Revision of Sheet 123-T.1, Schedule 23-T;
  First Revision of Sheet 201.1, Schedule 201;
  First Revision of Sheet 203.1, Schedule 203;
  Original Sheet 203.2, Schedule 203;
  First Revision of Sheet 205.1, Schedule 205; and
  First Revision of Sheet 206.1, Schedule 206.
   
  The tariff sheets bear an inserted effective date of December 22, 1997.  This 
date recognizes statutory notice as required.  The company requests, however, 
that statutory notice be waived and that the revisions become effective 
December 1, 1997.

  The purpose for the filing is to update the company's weighted average cost 
of gas (WACOG) and amortize deferred gas costs.

  The reason for requesting less than statutory notice is to implement gas cost 
changes on December 1, 1997, as originally intended in original withdrawn 
filing in Docket UG-971589.

  Since the tariff revisions filed herein are fair, just and reasonable, and 
waiver of statutory notice is not inconsistent with the public interest, it is 
deemed appropriate that the company be granted the waiver it is requesting with 
an effective date of December 1, 1997.

FINDINGS

  After careful examination of the tariff revisions filed herein by Northwest 
Natural Gas Company, November 20, 1997, and giving consideration to all 
relevant matters and for good cause shown, the Commission finds that the tariff 
revisions should become effective December 1, 1997.

O R D E R

  THE COMMISSION THEREFORE ORDERS That the requested waiver of statutory notice 
in connection with the tariff revisions filed herein by Northwest Natural Gas 
Company, 
November 20, 1997, is hereby granted, and said tariff revisions shall become 
effective December 1, 1997.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 26th day of November, 1997.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION




      ANNE LEVINSON, Chair




      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner