NW Natural rates to increase by an average $4 per month starting Nov. 1

A typical Salem home heated with natural gas will pay about $4 more per month starting in November after state regulators approved a rate increase for NW Natural. 

The Oregon Public Utility Commission announced Wednesday that the gas utility’s average bill for a residential customer will go up by 4.5%. That reflects a larger rate increase which is offset by a decrease in the annual cost of purchasing gas.

The increase takes effect Nov. 1.