News from Cascade

Cascade Natural Gas Corporation announced today that it has filed a Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to reflect the decline in the wholesale price of natural gas. The request would save residential customers 4.97 percent on their natural gas bill.

“Wholesale natural gas prices decreased again, which allows us to offer our Washington customers a rate decrease,” said Frank Morehouse, executive vice president and general manager for Cascade. “Increased domestic production and ample supplies in storage are key reasons natural gas prices have remained low across the country. It’s a good time to be a natural gas customer.”

The request, coupled with an additional one-year rate reduction submitted to the WUTC on Friday, means a typical residential customer using 57 therms a month would see a reduction of $3.76 a month, or 6.49 percent. A commercial customer using 282 therms a month would see a decrease of $18.85 a month, or a 7 percent decrease.

The cost of gas, which makes up the largest part of a customer’s bill, is a straight pass through to the customer; the utility cannot make a profit on the cost of gas.

A PGA is a mechanism designed to pass the actual costs of gas supplies to customers. The proposed rate reduction is expected to go into effect on Nov. 1, 2012.

Cascade Natural Gas is a natural gas distribution company serving approximately 260,000 residential, commercial, industrial and transportation customers in 96 communities in Washington and Oregon. Cascade is a subsidiary of MDU Resources Group, Inc., a multidimensional natural resources enterprise traded on the New York Stock Exchange as “MDU.” For more information about MDU Resources, visit the company’s Web site at www.mdu.com. For more information about Cascade, visit www.cngc.com.

Media Contact: Mark Hanson at (701) 530-1093 or mark.hanson@mduresources.com

Cascade Natural Gas Corporation filed Friday a request with the Oregon Public Utility Commission that calls for a decrease in the price of natural gas to customers as well as an annual adjustment for the Conservation Alliance Plan.

The proposed Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) would result in a 17.42 percent decrease for residential customers, a 20.24 percent decrease for small commercial customers, a 20.92 percent decrease for large volume core customers and a 22.72 percent decrease for large volume interruptible customers.

The rate changes will be effective Nov. 1 upon PUC approval.

“Changes in what Cascade pays for the cost of natural gas and transportation services has decreased, which allows us to pass along those savings to our Oregon customers,” said Frank Morehouse, executive vice president and general manager for Cascade. “Along with our adjustment for our Conservation Alliance Plan, this will translate into a nice cost reduction for our customers.”

The cost of gas, which makes up the largest part of a customer’s bill, is a straight pass-through to the customer; the utility cannot make a profit on the cost of gas.

If approved by the PUC, a typical Oregon residential customer using 55 therms a month can expect a reduction of $9.86 on their monthly bill, or $118.32 in savings for usage over a 12-month period assuming average weather conditions. A commercial customer using an average of 231 therms a month can expect a decrease of $41.76 on their monthly bill, or $501.12 in savings for usage over a 12-month period.

A PGA is a mechanism designed to pass the actual costs of gas supplies to customers.

Cascade Natural Gas is a natural gas distribution company serving approximately 260,000 residential, commercial, industrial and transportation customers in 96 communities in Washington and Oregon. Cascade is a subsidiary of MDU Resources Group, Inc., a multidimensional natural resources enterprise traded on the New York Stock Exchange as “MDU.” For more information about MDU Resources, visit the company’s Web site at www.mdu.com. For more information about Cascade, visit www.cngc.com.

Media Contact: Mark Hanson at (701) 530-1093 or mark.hanson@mduresources.com

Cascade Natural Gas Corporation announced today that their customers will now have a dedicated liaison available to support their energy needs and provide critical information regarding services offered by the company.

This comprehensive new position was developed in response to increased demand and interest for natural-gas-focused information and services. The new position will help facilitate the distribution of comprehensive information to support community energy usage decisions, serve as primary contact for commercial and industrial customers and meet the needs of the communities they serve.

John Cooley, a lifetime resident of central Oregon, and long-time employee of Cascade was promoted to fulfill the role of Manager of Industrial and Marketing Services in April. Now based from the Cascade General Office in Kennewick, Cooley will serve as a resource and key contact for Cascade commercial and industrial customers and will help develop new strategies for providing essential information on Cascade natural gas and services to both business and homeowners throughout Cascade’s service territory.

John has 30 years experience in the construction of relationships between builders, building officials, regional planners and other leaders in the energy industry. During his time with Cascade, he has been part of the growth of central Oregon’s infrastructure system by analyzing and resolving business energy needs.

Cascade encourages those interested in learning more about the information and services offered by Cascade, to call 1-888-522-1130.

Cascade Natural Gas is a natural gas distribution company serving approximately 260,000 residential, commercial, industrial and transportation customers in 96 communities in Washington and Oregon. Cascade is a subsidiary of MDU Resources Group, Inc., a multidimensional natural resources enterprise traded on the New York Stock Exchange as “MDU.” For more information about MDU Resources, visit the company’s Web site at www.mdu.com. For more information about Cascade, visit www.cngc.com.

Media Contact: Mark Hanson at (701) 530-1093 or mark.hanson@mduresources.com