Oregon approves increases for three gas utilities

Natural gas rates for more than 892,000 Oregon customers will increase on Oct. 31 under decisions finalized by the Oregon Public Utility Commission, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. Typical residential bills will rise by about $6.30 a month at NW Natural, reflecting a 7.3% increase; $7.38 at Cascade Natural Gas, a 10.7% increase; and $5.38 at Avista, an 8.5% increase.

The utilities cited different factors. NW Natural said its increase reflects expected winter gas costs and a reconciliation of estimated and actual costs from the previous year. Cascade said its increase will support maintenance, system upgrades and new investments. Oregon Public Broadcasting reported that gas prices and accounting-related adjustments were factors in Avista’s increase. Commission Chair Letha Tawney said NW Natural’s approved increase was smaller than requested and would support infrastructure investment. The changes take effect before Oregon’s prohibition on utility rate increases from Nov. 1 through March 31.

Costa Rica announces fuel and cooking-gas increases

Costa Rica’s energy regulator announced an extraordinary adjustment that will raise the price of regular gasoline by ¢89 per litre, super gasoline by ¢42 and diesel by ¢23, Semanario Universidad reported. A 25-pound cylinder of cooking gas will cost ¢549 more. The increases are due to begin at midnight on the date the adjustment is published in the official gazette.

Energy superintendent Mario Mora said the adjustment was based on actual costs reported by Recope. He attributed those costs to restrictions on crude flows from the Middle East, lower global inventories, constrained supplies of refined products, higher refining margins and increased transport and logistics costs associated with geopolitical risks. Mora said the fuel changes affect a vehicle fleet estimated at almost two million. The cooking-gas increase affects the 53% of households that use gas, mainly for cooking, as well as commercial users.

Dutch households weigh contract risks

In the Netherlands, consumers are considering fixed, variable and dynamic energy contracts as tariffs climb, NOS reported. The outlet said oil and gas prices had been rising for months amid the war in the Middle East, while gas had moved above €100 per megawatt-hour for the first time since autumn 2022. Electricity bills are also exposed because more than a third of electricity is generated in gas-fired plants, according to the report.

The Consumentenbond said there was no single suitable contract for every household. A three-year fixed contract can provide certainty and a lower rate now, but customers could remain locked into a higher price if gas becomes cheaper. Variable rates can be revised several times a year, while dynamic-contract prices can change daily or hourly. Climate and Green Growth Minister Stientje van Veldhoven told NOS that government support includes the Energy Emergency Fund and insulation subsidies for households needing the most help.