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The OPUC and WUTC have general regulatory authority over NW Natural’s gas business in Oregon and Washington.
+Added: In January 2025, NW Holdings acquired SiEnergy Operating, LLC (SiEnergy), which is regulated by the Railroad Commission of Texas.
NW Holdings’ regulated water utility businesses are generally regulated by the public utility commission in the state in which a water business is located.
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Expansion of our businesses generally results in regulation by other regulatory authorities.
−Removed: For example, certain of NW Holdings’ water companies are regulated in Idaho, Texas and Arizona.
+Added: For example, certain of NW Holdings’ water companies are regulated in Idaho, Texas and Arizona, and in 2025, we acquired SiEnergy, which is regulated by the Railroad Commission of Texas.
The costs that are deemed recoverable in rates and prices regulators allow us to charge for regulated utility service, and the maximum FERC-approved rates FERC authorizes us to charge for interstate storage and related transportation services, are the most significant factors affecting both NW Natural’s and NW Holdings’ financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
State utility regulators have the authority to disallow recovery of costs they find imprudently incurred or otherwise disallowed, and rates that regulators allow may be insufficient for recovery of costs we incur.
−Removed: We expect to continue to make expenditures to expand, improve and safely operate our gas and water utility distribution and gas storage systems, and to work toward decarbonizing our gas systems.
+Added: We expect to continue to make expenditures to expand, improve and safely operate our gas and water utility distribution and gas storage systems, and to work toward reducing emissions from our gas systems.
Regulators can deny recovery of those costs.
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The failure of any regulatory commission to approve requested rate increases on a timely basis to recover costs or to allow an adequate return could adversely impact NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
−Removed: As companies with regulated utility businesses, we frequently have dockets open with our regulators, including a general rate case filed with the OPUC in December 2023.
+Added: As companies with regulated utility businesses, we frequently have dockets open with our regulators, including NW Natural’s general rate case filed with the OPUC in December 2024.
The regulatory proceedings for these dockets typically involve multiple parties, including governmental agencies, consumer, environmental, and other advocacy groups, and other third parties.
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Significant changes in federal, state, or local governmental leadership can accelerate or amplify changes in existing laws or regulations, or the manner in which they are interpreted or enforced.
−Removed: For instance, the 2020 United States Presidential election resulted in leadership changes in many federal administrative agencies and resulted in a wide range of new policies, executive orders, rules, initiatives and other changes to fiscal, tax, regulation, environmental, climate and other federal policies, many of which have components that affect the energy sector.
−Removed: The 2024 presidential and congressional elections may result in additional significant changes that may impact NW Natural and NW Holdings.
+Added: For instance, the 2024 United States Presidential election has resulted in and may result in further leadership changes in many federal administrative agencies.
+Added: Moreover, the 2024 election resulted in Republican control of the presidency and both houses of Congress, which may result in a wide range of new policies, executive orders, rules, initiatives and other changes to fiscal, tax, regulation, trade, environmental, climate and other federal policies, many of which have components that affect the energy and utilities sectors.
Similarly, we could continue to face significant legislative, regulatory and other policy changes at the state level or in the local jurisdictions in which we operate.
+Added: For example, the Oregon legislature is considering possible legislation aimed at addressing utility customer rate impacts and utility regulatory oversight.
+Added: We cannot predict the impact of any such legislation on our rate structure, process or ability to apply regulatory accounting mechanisms.
+Added: As we continue to expand our businesses into new states, we may be subject to additional legal, regulatory or taxing requirements.
+Added: For example, certain of NW Holdings’ water companies are regulated in Idaho, Texas and Arizona, and in 2025, we acquired SiEnergy, a gas utility located in Texas.
In addition, foreign governments may implement changes to their policies, in response to changes to U.S.
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Additionally, any failure to comply with existing or new laws and regulations could result in fines, penalties or injunctive measures.
−Removed: For example, under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the FERC has civil authority under the Natural Gas Act to impose penalties for current violations of over $1.5 million per day for each violation.
−Removed: In addition, as the regulatory environment for our businesses increases in complexity, the risk of inadvertent noncompliance may also increase.
+Added: For example, under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the FERC may assess civil penalties under the Natural Gas Act for violations of FERC’s requirements up to nearly $1.6 million per day for each violation.
+Added: In addition, as we expand our businesses and the regulatory environment for our businesses increases in complexity, the risk of inadvertent noncompliance may also increase.
Changes in regulations, the imposition of additional regulations, and the failure to comply with laws and regulations could negatively influence NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s operating environment and results of operations.
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Customers', legislators', and regulators' opinions of us can also be affected by media coverage, including social media, which may include information, whether factual or not, that could damage the perception of natural gas, our brand, or our reputation.
−Removed: Although we believe that natural gas serves an important role in helping our region reduce GHG emissions and move to a resilient lower-carbon energy system, certain advocacy groups have opposed the use of natural gas as a fuel source altogether and have pursued policies that limit, restrict, or impose additional costs on, the use of natural gas in a variety of contexts.
+Added: Although we believe that natural gas serves an important role in helping our region reduce GHG emissions and move to a more resilient lower-carbon energy system, certain advocacy groups have opposed the use of natural gas as a fuel source altogether and have pursued policies that limit, restrict, or impose additional costs on, the use of natural gas in a variety of contexts.
Concerns raised about the use of natural gas include the potential for natural gas explosions or delivery disruptions, methane leakage along production, transportation and delivery systems, and end-use equipment, and contribution of natural gas energy use to GHG emission levels and global warming.
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If we can no longer apply regulatory accounting, we could be required to write off our regulatory assets and precluded from the future deferral of costs not recovered through rates at the time such amounts are incurred, even if we are expected to recover these amounts from customers in the future.
−Removed: Public Health Risk
−Removed: PUBLIC HEALTH RISK .
−Removed: Public health threats, such as coronavirus (COVID-19) and the resulting economic conditions, or the emergence of other epidemic or pandemic crises, could materially and adversely affect NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s business, results of operations, or financial condition.
−Removed: Public health threats, such as resurgences or mutations of COVID-19, could adversely affect our business by, among other things:
−Removed: • impacting the health, safety, productivity and availability of our employees and contractors;
−Removed: • disrupting our access to capital markets or increasing costs of capital affecting our liquidity in the future;
−Removed: • reducing demand for natural gas, particularly from commercial and industrial customers that are suffering slow-downs or ultimately close completely due to pandemic effects;
−Removed: • reducing customer growth and new meter additions due to less economic, construction or conversion activity;
−Removed: • limiting our ability to collect on overdue accounts or disconnect gas service for nonpayment, beyond an amount or period of time acceptable to us;
−Removed: • increasing our operating costs for emergency supplies, personal protective equipment, cleaning services and supplies, remote technology and other specific needs;
−Removed: • impacting our capital expenditures if construction activities are suspended or delayed;
−Removed: • sickening or causing a mandatory quarantine of a large percentage of our workforce, or key workgroups with specialized skill sets, impairing our ability to perform key business functions or execute our business continuity plans;
−Removed: • impacting our or our contractors’ or suppliers’ ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel or otherwise impairing the functioning of our supply chain or ability to rely on third parties or business partners;
−Removed: • adversely affecting the asset values of NW Natural’s defined benefit pension plan or causing a failure to maintain sustained growth in pension investments over time, increasing our contribution requirements;
−Removed: • limiting, delaying or curtailing entirely, public utility commissions’ ability to approve or authorize applications or other requests we may make with respect to our regulated businesses;
−Removed: • increasing volatility in the price of natural gas;
−Removed: • creating additional cybersecurity vulnerabilities due to ongoing heavy reliance on remote working.
−Removed: The ultimate long-term impact of public health threats, such as the resurgence of COVID-19 or other pandemics, on our business cannot be predicted and will depend on factors beyond our knowledge or control, including economic effects, actions taken to mitigate its effects, and the extent to which normal economic and operating conditions can continue.
−Removed: Any of these factors could have an adverse effect on our business, outlook, financial condition, and results of operations and cash flows, which could be significant.
+Added: The criteria for the application of regulatory accounting is highly specific, and legislative or regulatory changes to our rate structure or processes could impact our ability to apply regulatory accounting in the future.
Growth and Strategic Risks
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• acquired businesses or assets could have environmental, permitting, or other problems for which contractual protections prove inadequate;
+Added: • our forecasts and projections regarding customer and business growth, financial performance, or economic and market conditions may prove to be incorrect;
• there may be difficulties in integration or higher than expected operation costs of new businesses;
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One or more of these risks could affect NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
+Added: For example, in January 2025, we completed the acquisition of SiEnergy, and while we consider this acquisition to be an important component of our growth strategy, we may face unexpected costs or challenges associated with integration of the business or otherwise fail to achieve the expected benefits of the transaction.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT RISK.
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We are currently engaged in several business development projects, including, but not limited to, several water, wastewater, water services and RNG projects, non-regulated investments in RNG projects, and purchasing, marketing and reselling of RNG and its associated attributes.
−Removed: We may also engage in other business development projects such as investments in additional long-term gas reserves, CNG refueling stations, power to gas, power generation, hydrogen projects, carbon capture projects or other similar projects.
−Removed: Our business development activities are subject to uncertainties and changed circumstances and may not reach the scale expected, be successful or perform as anticipated.
+Added: We may also engage in other business development projects such as investments in additional long-term gas reserves, gas storage projects, CNG refueling stations, power to gas, power generation, hydrogen projects, carbon capture projects, geothermal projects or other similar projects.
+Added: Our business development activities are subject to uncertainties and changed circumstances and may not reach the scale expected,
+Added: be successful or perform as anticipated.
Additionally, we may not be able to obtain required governmental permits and approvals to complete our projects in a cost-efficient or timely manner, potentially resulting in delays or abandonment of the projects.
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construction cost overruns;
−Removed: disputes with contractors;
+Added: reliance on or inability to direct third parties;
+Added: disputes with contractors or other third parties;
the inability to negotiate acceptable agreements such as rights-of-way, easements, construction, gas supply or other material contracts;
+Added: failure or delay in receiving applicable permits;
changes in customer demand, perception or commitment;
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marketing risk and changes in market regulation, behavior or prices, market volatility or unavailability, including markets for RNG and its associated attributes or other environmental attributes;
−Removed: the inability to receive expected tax or regulatory treatment;
+Added: the inability to receive expected tax or regulatory treatment (including any applicable tax incentives or credits for renewable fuels);
and operating cost increases.
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Although NW Natural intends to continue monitoring Jonah Energy’s financial condition and take appropriate actions to preserve NW Natural’s interests, it does not control Jonah Energy’s financial condition or continued performance under the gas reserves arrangement.
−Removed: The cost of the original gas reserves venture is currently included in customer
−Removed: rates and additional wells under that arrangement are recovered at specific costs, the occurrence of one or more of these risks could affect NW Natural’s ability to recover this hedge in rates.
+Added: The cost of the original gas reserves venture is currently included in customer rates and additional wells under that arrangement are recovered at specific costs, the occurrence of one or more of these risks could affect NW Natural’s ability to recover this hedge in rates.
Further, new gas reserves arrangements have not been approved for inclusion in rates, and regulators may ultimately determine to not include all or a portion of future transactions in rates.
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Building codes recently enacted and others under consideration in our territory may have the effect of reducing our natural gas customer growth rate.
−Removed: For example, effective February 1, 2021, building codes in Washington state require new residential homes to achieve higher levels of energy efficiency based on specified carbon emissions assumptions, which calculate electric appliances to have lower on-site GHG emissions than comparable gas appliances.
−Removed: This increases the cost of new home construction incorporating natural gas depending on a number of factors including home size, equipment configurations, and building envelope measures.
−Removed: Additionally, the Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) voted in April 2022 to include updates in the state commercial building energy code that are expected to restrict or eliminate the use of gas space and water heating in new commercial construction.
−Removed: In November 2022, the SBCC voted to include updates to the state residential building energy code that restrict the use of gas space and water heating in residential construction, with certain exceptions including for natural gas-fired heat pumps and hybrid fuel systems.
−Removed: The SBCC commercial and residential rules were expected to become effective July 1, 2023, but the SBCC delayed implementation and has taken steps to modify those rules.
−Removed: The timeline for implementation of the modified rules, if any, is March, 2024 unless the legislature delays, rejects, or amends the new rules.
−Removed: Certain jurisdictions in Oregon and the State of Oregon are considering similar measures.
−Removed: While we expect these types of codes to be subject to legal challenge, and the new modified SBCC rules are currently subject to legal challenges, we cannot predict the outcome of any such challenge.
+Added: For example, building codes implemented in Washington, if determined to be valid, would have the effect of restricting or eliminating the use of gas space and water heating in new commercial and residential construction, or otherwise increasing the cost of new home construction incorporating natural gas.
+Added: Certain jurisdictions in Oregon and Washington are considering similar measures.
+Added: While we expect these types of codes to be subject to legal challenge, we cannot predict the outcome of any such challenge.
+Added: Other regulations may impact growth;
+Added: for example, in connection with the resolution of NW Natural’s general rate case, on October 25, 2024, the OPUC issued an order ordering the phase out of NW Natural’s line extension allowance by November 1, 2027.
+Added: We are not currently able to quantify the extent to which limitations on natural gas use, or declining line extension allowances provided in rates to cover construction costs for new services, will affect new meter additions, or to what extent carbon compliance costs included in rates will affect the competitiveness of our business and the demand for natural gas service.
Insufficient customer growth, for economic, political, public perception, policy, or other reasons could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s utility margin, earnings and cash flows.
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Our NGD business is subject to increased competition which could negatively affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s results of operations.
−Removed: In the residential and commercial markets, NW Natural’s NGD business competes primarily with suppliers of electricity, fuel oil, and propane.
−Removed: In the industrial market, NW Natural competes with suppliers of all forms of energy.
+Added: In the residential and commercial markets, our natural gas distribution businesses compete primarily with suppliers of electricity, fuel oil, and propane.
+Added: In the industrial market, we compete with suppliers of all forms of energy.
Competition among these forms of energy is based on price, efficiency, reliability, performance, market conditions, technology, federal, state and local governmental regulation, actual and perceived environmental impacts, and public perception.
−Removed: Technological improvements such as electric heat pumps, batteries or other alternative technologies, or building code or other regulations or restrictions affecting the cost or ability to use certain gas appliances, could erode NW Natural’s competitive advantage.
−Removed: If natural gas prices are high relative to other energy sources, or if the cost, environmental impact or public perception of such other energy sources improves relative to natural gas, it may negatively affect NW Natural’s ability to secure new customers or retain our existing customers, which could have a negative impact on our customer growth rate and NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s results of operations.
+Added: Technological improvements such as electric heat pumps, batteries or other alternative technologies, or building code or other regulations or restrictions affecting the cost or ability to use certain gas appliances, could erode our competitive advantage.
+Added: If natural gas prices are high relative to other energy sources, or if the cost, environmental impact or public perception of such other energy sources improves relative to natural gas, it may negatively affect our ability to secure new customers or retain our existing customers, which could have a negative impact on our customer growth rate and NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s results of operations.
Our natural gas storage operations compete primarily with other storage facilities and pipelines.
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• presence of chemicals or other compounds in the gases or liquids we deliver that could adversely affect the performance of the system or end-use equipment;
−Removed: • collapse of underground storage reservoirs;
+Added: • failure of gas or water storage reservoirs;
• inadequate supplies of RNG, natural gas or water or contamination of water supplies;
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Natural gas operators are subject to robust, ongoing federal, state and local regulatory oversight, which intensifies in response to incidents.
−Removed: For example, the 2020 Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act (PIPES Act) prompted PHSMA to issue three new rulemakings impacting transmission lines, gathering lines, and valve automation in response to past incidents in other parts of the country.
−Removed: Proposed rules issued in 2023 by PHMSA include regulations related to the detection and repair of leaks and safety of gas distribution pipelines.
+Added: For example, the 2020 Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act (PIPES Act) prompted PHSMA to issue three rulemakings impacting transmission lines, gathering lines, and valve automation in response to past incidents in other parts of the country.
+Added: Regulations issued in 2024 by PHMSA contain requirements related to the detection and repair of leaks and safety of gas distribution pipelines.
In addition, our workplaces are subject to the requirements of the Department of Transportation, through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as well as state and local statutes and regulations that regulate the protection of the health and safety of workers.
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RELIANCE ON THIRD PARTIES TO SUPPLY OR OPTIMIZE NATURAL GAS, RNG AND ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES OR CREDITS RISK.
−Removed: NW Natural relies on third parties to supply or optimize natural gas, RNG, storage or pipeline capacity, and environmental attributes or credits in its NGD segment, and limitations on NW Natural’s ability to obtain supplies, engage in effective optimization, or failure to receive expected supplies, could have an adverse impact on NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial results.
−Removed: NW Natural’s ability to secure natural gas, RNG and environmental attributes or credits depends upon its ability to purchase and receive delivery of them from third parties.
−Removed: NW Natural, and in some cases its suppliers, does not have control over the availability of natural gas, RNG or environmental attributes or credits, competition for those supplies, disruptions in those supplies, priority allocations on transmission pipelines, markets for those supplies, or pricing and other terms related to such
−Removed: Additionally, third parties on whom NW Natural relies may fail to deliver supplies for which it has contracted.
+Added: We rely on third parties to supply or optimize natural gas, RNG, storage or pipeline capacity, and environmental attributes or credits in our NGD segment, and limitations on our ability to obtain supplies, engage in effective optimization, or failure to receive expected supplies, could have an adverse impact on NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial results.
+Added: Our ability to secure natural gas, RNG and environmental attributes or credits depends upon its ability to purchase and receive delivery of them from third parties.
+Added: We, and in some cases our suppliers, do not have control over the availability of natural gas, RNG or environmental attributes or credits, competition for those supplies, disruptions in those supplies, priority allocations on transmission pipelines, markets for those supplies, or pricing and other terms related to such supplies.
+Added: Additionally, third parties that we may rely on may fail to deliver supplies for which it has contracted.
For example, in October, 2018, a 36-inch pipeline near Prince George, British Columbia owned by Enbridge ruptured, disrupting natural gas flows from Canada into Washington while the ruptured pipeline and an adjacent pipeline were assessed and the ruptured pipeline was repaired.
Once repaired, pressurization levels for those pipelines were reduced for a significant period of time for assessment and testing.
−Removed: If NW Natural is unable or limited in its ability to obtain natural gas, RNG or environmental attributes or credits from its current suppliers or new sources, it may not be able to meet customers' gas requirements or regulatory or compliance requirements, and would likely incur costs associated with actions necessary to mitigate service disruptions or regulatory compliance, which could significantly and negatively impact NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s results of operations.
−Removed: NW Natural also contracts with an independent energy marketing company to provide asset management services regarding storage and pipeline capacity when those assets are not serving the needs of NGD business customers.
+Added: If we are unable or limited in our ability to obtain natural gas, RNG or environmental attributes or credits from our current suppliers or new sources, we may not be able to meet customers' gas requirements or regulatory or compliance requirements, and would likely incur costs associated with actions necessary to mitigate service disruptions or regulatory compliance, which could significantly and negatively impact NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s results of operations.
+Added: We also contract with an independent energy marketing company to provide asset management services regarding storage and pipeline capacity when those assets are not serving the needs of NGD business customers.
We may not be able to fully direct these transactions, or the counterparty to these arrangements may act contrary to our interests, become financially distressed or have economic or other business interests or goals that are inconsistent with ours.
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Environmental liability estimates are based on current remediation technology, industry experience gained at similar sites, an assessment of probable level of responsibility, and the financial condition of other potentially responsible parties.
−Removed: However, it is difficult to estimate such costs due to uncertainties surrounding the course of environmental remediation, the preliminary nature of certain site investigations, natural recovery of the site, unavoidable limitations associated with environmental investigations and remedial technologies, evolving science, and the application of environmental laws that impose joint and several liabilities on all potentially responsible parties.
+Added: However, it is difficult to estimate such costs due to uncertainties surrounding the course of environmental remediation, the preliminary nature of certain site investigations, natural recovery of the site, unavoidable limitations associated with environmental investigations and remedial technologies, evolving science, the application of environmental laws that impose joint and several liabilities on all
+Added: potentially responsible parties, and changes in federal, state or local environmental statutes, regulations or policies.
These uncertainties and disputes arising therefrom could lead to further adversarial administrative proceedings or litigation, with associated costs and uncertain outcomes, all of which could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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For example, our natural gas operations are subject to reporting requirements to a number of governmental authorities including, but not limited to, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), and the Washington State Department of Ecology regarding greenhouse gas emissions.
−Removed: We are also required to reduce emissions of GHGs over time in accordance with the Washington Climate Commitment Act.
−Removed: These and other current and future additional environmental regulations at the local, state or national level could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions, which may or may not be recoverable in customer rates, through insurance or otherwise.
+Added: We are also required to reduce emissions of GHGs over time in accordance with the recently issued Oregon Climate Protection Program (CPP) and the Washington Climate Commitment Act (CCA).
+Added: We expect that compliance with any form of regulation of GHG emissions will require additional resources and legislative or regulatory tools and will increase costs.
+Added: The developing and changing guidance to implement the CCA and CPP, evolving carbon credit markets and other regulatory tool options, decades-long timeframes for compliance, likely changing and evolving laws and energy policy, and evolving technological advancements, all make it difficult to accurately predict long-term tools for and costs of compliance.
+Added: Increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions resulting from current and future additional environmental regulations at the local, state or national level may or may not be recoverable in customer rates, through insurance or otherwise.
If these costs are not recoverable, or if these regulations reduce the desirability, availability, or cost-competitiveness of natural gas, they could have an adverse effect on NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s operations or financial condition.
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Climate change may cause physical risks, including an increase in sea level, intensified storms, water scarcity, wildfire susceptibility and intensity and changes in weather conditions, such as changes in precipitation, average temperatures and extreme wind or other extreme weather events or climate conditions.
−Removed: Moreover, a significant portion of the nation’s gas
−Removed: infrastructure is located in areas susceptible to storm damage that could be aggravated by wetland and barrier island erosion, which could give rise to gas supply interruptions and price spikes.
+Added: Moreover, a significant portion of the nation’s gas infrastructure is located in areas susceptible to storm damage that could be aggravated by wetland and barrier island erosion, which could give rise to gas supply interruptions and price spikes.
+Added: Fire risk is also significant in the western United States, including in our service territory, and may be elevated by warmer air temperatures, drought, wind and land management practices.
+Added: Climate change may increase the likelihood and magnitude of damages that may be caused by fires, which may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
These and other physical changes could result in disruptions to natural gas production and transportation systems potentially increasing the cost of gas and affecting our natural gas businesses’ ability to procure or transport gas to meet customer demand.
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Similar disruptions could occur in NW Holdings’ water utility and unregulated RNG businesses.
+Added: To the extent we are unable to recover these costs, or if higher rates resulting from our recovery of such costs result in reduced demand for our services, our future business, financial condition, or financial results could be adversely impacted.
Additionally, to the extent that climate change adversely impacts the economic health or weather conditions of our service territory directly, it could adversely impact customer demand or our customers’ ability to pay.
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Federal, state, or local governments may provide tax advantages and other subsidies to support alternative energy sources, withdraw funding from fossil fuel sources, mandate the use of specific fuels or technologies, prohibit the use of natural gas, or promote research into new technologies to reduce the cost and increase the scalability of alternative energy sources.
−Removed: In 2021, the United States rejoined the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the United States Presidential administration has issued executive orders aimed at reducing GHG emissions, has declared climate change a national security priority, and continues to consider a wide range of policies, executive orders, rules, legislation and other initiatives to address climate change.
−Removed: For example, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), was signed into law in August 2022 and includes a number of energy and climate related provisions including funding for the EPA to improve GHG reporting and enforcement, as well as a methane fee applicable to activities associated with gas production and processing facilities, transmission pipelines and certain storage facilities.
−Removed: Congress may also pass federal climate change legislation in the future.
−Removed: Additionally, other federal agencies have taken or are expected to take actions related to climate change.
−Removed: For example, in March 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed new rules relating to the disclosure of a range of climate-related matters, PHMSA has prepared regulations and other actions to limit methane emissions and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has indicated it intends to take actions related to oversight of climate-related financial risks as pertinent to the derivatives and underlying commodities markets.
−Removed: Similarly, other federal agencies and regulations, including but not limited to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, the U.S.
−Removed: Department of Treasury, Federal Acquisitions Regulations, and others have indicated impending actions related to regulation related to climate change.
−Removed: At the state level, the State of Washington has enacted the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), which establishes a comprehensive program that provides an overall limit for GHG emissions from major sources in the state that began on January 1, 2023 and declines yearly to 95% below 1990 levels by 2050.
+Added: For example, during his administration, former President Biden issued a number of executive orders, and a wide range of federal agencies took action aimed at addressing
+Added: climate change and other environmental matters.
+Added: Federal legislation passed under the Biden administration, such as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), included several climate and energy provisions.
+Added: Upon taking office in January, 2025, President Trump issued several executive orders aimed at revoking Biden-era climate policies.
+Added: We expect there to be a number of additional changes related to climate policy under the Trump Administration, including additional executive orders, federal regulations, programs and other federal actions, however, we cannot currently predict when or if the Trump Administration or Congress will act, the form of the action, the extent to which any such action may replace or revoke prior administration policies, or the impact of those actions on our business.
+Added: At the state level, effective beginning in 2023, the State of Washington enacted the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), which establishes a comprehensive program that provides an overall limit for GHG emissions from major sources in the state and declines yearly to 95% below 1990 levels by 2050.
NW Natural is currently subject to the CCA.
−Removed: Similarly, in Oregon, in March 2020, the Oregon Governor issued an executive order (EO) establishing GHG emissions reduction goals and directing state agencies and commissions (including the ODEQ and the OPUC) to facilitate such GHG emission goals.
−Removed: In December 2021, the ODEQ concluded its process and issued final cap and reduce rules for the Climate Protection Program (CPP), which initially became effective January 1, 2022 and outlined GHG emissions reduction goals of 50% by 2035 and 90% by 2050 from a 2017-2019 baseline.
−Removed: The CPP was subsequently invalidated by the Oregon Court of Appeals in December 2023.
−Removed: Although NW Natural is not currently subject to the compliance requirements of the CPP, the ODEQ has stated that it intends to promulgate new rules covering GHG emissions, and we cannot predict the timing, scope or impact of such rules.
−Removed: We further expect that there will be additional efforts to address climate change in the 2024 legislative sessions in both Oregon and Washington and we cannot predict whether the legislatures will pass any climate related legislation and the potential impact any such legislation may have on the Company.
−Removed: In addition, the State of Washington is in the process of implementing, and the State of Oregon and some local jurisdictions are considering, building codes that could have the effect of disfavoring or disallowing natural gas in residential or commercial new construction or conversions, including locations within our service territory, such the City of Eugene.
−Removed: A number of local and county jurisdictions are also proposing or passing renewable energy resolutions, green tariffs or other measures in an effort to accelerate renewable energy goals.
+Added: Similarly, in Oregon, In November 2024, the ODEQ issued final cap and reduce rules for its Climate Protection Program (CPP), which became effective January 1, 2025.
+Added: The CPP establishes a program to limit GHG emissions from covered entities, including natural gas utilities, by 50% by 2035 and 90% by 2050 from a 2017-2019 baseline.
+Added: In addition, the State of Washington has implemented, and the State of Oregon and some local jurisdictions have considered or are considering, building codes that could have the effect of disfavoring or disallowing natural gas in residential or commercial new construction or conversions, including locations within our service territory.
+Added: For example, the Eugene City Council continues to develop a plan to address GHG emissions, align incentives around GHG emissions and to engage in a number of actions, including identifying potential revenue sources, like a gas supplier tax.
+Added: Similarly, some jurisdictions and advocates are evaluating restricting the use of natural gas and certain natural gas appliances inside homes contending that there are detrimental indoor health effects associated with the use of natural gas.
Such current or future legislation, regulation or other initiatives (including executive orders, ballot initiatives or ordinances) could impose on our natural gas businesses operational requirements or restrictions, additional charges to fund energy efficiency initiatives, or levy a tax based on carbon content.
In addition, certain jurisdictions, including San Francisco, Seattle, and New York have enacted measures to ban or discourage the use of new natural gas hookups in residential or other buildings.
−Removed: Other jurisdictions, including several in our service territory, such as the city of Milwaukie, have considered or are currently considering similar restrictions or other measures discouraging the use of natural gas, such as limitations or bans on the use of natural gas in
−Removed: new construction, requiring the conversion of buildings to electric heat, or adopting policies or incentives to encourage the use of electricity in lieu of natural gas.
+Added: Other jurisdictions, including several in our service territory, have considered or are currently considering similar restrictions or other measures discouraging the use of natural gas, such as limitations or bans on the use of natural gas in new construction, requiring the conversion of buildings to electric heat, or adopting policies or incentives to encourage the use of electricity in lieu of natural gas.
Such restrictions could adversely impact customer growth or usage and could adversely impact our ability to recover costs and maintain reasonable customer rates.
In addition, certain states, cities, local jurisdictions and private parties have initiated lawsuits against companies related to climate change impacts, GHG emissions or climate-related disclosures.
−Removed: While NW Natural has not been subject to such litigation to date, such climate-related claims or actions could be costly to defend and could negatively impact our business, reputation, financial condition, and results of operations.
+Added: We have been named as a defendant in two such legal proceedings, each as described in more detail in Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
+Added: While we intend to diligently defend against such claims, we cannot predict the outcome of such litigation.
+Added: Such climate-related claims or actions could be costly to defend and could negatively impact our business, reputation, financial condition, and results of operations.
NW Natural believes natural gas has an important role in moving the Pacific Northwest to a lower carbon future, and to that end is developing programs and measures to reduce carbon emissions.
However, NW Natural’s efforts may not happen quickly enough to keep pace with legislation or other regulation, legal changes or public sentiment, or may be more costly or not be as effective as expected.
−Removed: Any of these initiatives, or our unsuccessful response to them, could result in us incurring additional costs to comply with the imposed policies, regulations, restrictions or programs, provide a cost or other competitive advantage to energy sources other than natural gas, reduce demand for natural gas, restrict our customer growth, impose costs or restrictions on end users of natural gas, impact the prices we charge our customers, increase the likelihood of litigation, impose increased costs on us associated with the adoption of new infrastructure and technology to respond to such requirements which may or may not be recoverable in customer rates, and could negatively impact public perception of our services or products that negatively diminishes the value of our brand, all of which could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s business operations, financial condition and results of operations.
+Added: Any of these initiatives, or our unsuccessful response to them, could result in us incurring additional costs to comply with the imposed policies, regulations, restrictions or programs, provide a cost or other competitive advantage to energy sources other than natural gas, reduce demand for natural gas, restrict our customer growth, impose costs or restrictions on end users of natural gas, impact the prices we charge our customers, increase the likelihood of litigation, reduce our access to capital, impose increased costs on us associated with the adoption of new infrastructure and technology to respond to such requirements which may or may not be recoverable in customer rates, and could negatively impact public perception of our services or products that negatively diminishes the value of our brand, all of which could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s business operations, financial condition and results of operations.
Business Continuity and Technology Risks
BUSINESS CONTINUITY RISK.
−Removed: NW Holdings and NW Natural may be adversely impacted by local or national disasters, political unrest, terrorist activities, cyber-attacks or data breaches, and other extreme events to which we may not be able to promptly respond, which could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s operations or financial condition.
−Removed: Local or national disasters, political unrest, terrorist activities, cyber-attacks and data breaches, power outages, and other extreme events are a threat to our assets and operations.
+Added: NW Holdings and NW Natural may be adversely impacted by local or national disasters, pandemics, political unrest, terrorist activities, cyber-attacks or data breaches, and other extreme events to which we may not be able to promptly respond, which could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s operations or financial condition.
+Added: Local or national disasters (including but not limited to earthquakes, wildfires, floods, storms, landslides), pandemics, political unrest, terrorist activities, cyber-attacks and data breaches, power outages, and other extreme events are a threat to our assets and operations.
Companies in critical infrastructure industries face a heightened risk due to being the target of, and having heightened exposure to, acts of terrorism or sabotage, including physical and security breaches of our physical infrastructure and information technology or operational technology systems in the form of cyber-attacks or other forms of attacks.
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In addition, the threat of terrorist activities could lead to increased economic instability and volatility in the price of RNG, natural gas or other necessary commodities that could affect our operations.
−Removed: Threatened or actual national disasters or terrorist activities may also disrupt capital or bank markets and our ability to raise capital or obtain debt financing, or impact our suppliers or our customers directly.
−Removed: Local disaster or civil unrest could result in disruption of our infrastructure or facilities, or part of our workforce being unable to operate or maintain our infrastructure or perform other tasks necessary to conduct our business.
+Added: Threatened or actual national disasters, pandemics or terrorist activities may also disrupt capital or bank markets and our ability to raise capital or obtain debt financing, or impact our suppliers or our customers directly, including increasing volatility in the price of natural gas or reducing demand for natural gas or water.
+Added: Local disaster, pandemics, or civil unrest could result in disruption of our infrastructure or facilities, increase our operating
+Added: costs, or result in part of our workforce being unable to operate or maintain our infrastructure or perform other tasks necessary to conduct our business.
+Added: Local disruption may also limit our ability to collect on overdue accounts or disconnect gas or water service for nonpayment beyond an amount or period of time acceptable to us.
A slow or inadequate response to events may have an adverse impact on our operations and earnings.
−Removed: We may not be able to maintain sufficient insurance to cover all risks associated with local and national disasters, terrorist activities, cyber-attacks and other attacks or events.
+Added: We may not be able to maintain sufficient insurance to cover all risks associated with local and national disasters, pandemic illnesses, terrorist activities, cyber-attacks and other attacks or events.
Additionally, large scale natural disasters or terrorist attacks could destabilize the insurance industry making the insurance we do have unavailable, which could increase the risk that an event could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s operations or financial results.
+Added: Similarly, business disruptions may limit, delay or block public utility commissions’ ability to approve or authorize applications or other requests we may make with respect to our regulated businesses.
+Added: Any of these occurrences, or the resulting economic effects could have a material adverse effect on our business, outlook, financial condition, and results of operations and cash flows.
RELIANCE ON TECHNOLOGY RISK.
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In addition, we are dependent on a continuing flow of important components and appropriately skilled individuals to maintain and upgrade our information technology systems.
−Removed: Our suppliers have faced disruptions due to COVID-19 and may face additional production or import delays due to natural disasters, strikes, lock-outs, political unrest, pandemics or other such circumstances.
+Added: Our suppliers have previously faced disruptions, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, and may face additional production or import delays due to natural disasters, strikes, lock-outs, political unrest, pandemics or other such circumstances.
Technology services provided by third-parties also could be disrupted due to events and circumstances beyond our control which could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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As these potential cyber security attacks become more common and sophisticated, we could be required to incur costs to strengthen our systems or maintain insurance coverage against potential losses.
−Removed: Moreover, a variety of regulatory agencies are increasingly focused on cybersecurity risks, and specifically in critical infrastructure sectors.
−Removed: For example, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has published security directives and is currently in the process of implementing formal rules mandating cybersecurity actions for critical pipeline owners and operators.
+Added: Moreover, a variety of regulatory agencies are focused on cybersecurity risks, and specifically in critical infrastructure sectors.
+Added: For example, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has published security directives and in November 2024, proposed formal rules mandating cybersecurity actions for critical pipeline owners and operators.
Failure to meet the requirements of these directives or other cybersecurity regulations could result in fines or other penalties.
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NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s risk management policies and hedging activities cannot eliminate the risk of commodity price movements and other financial market risks, and hedging activities may expose us to additional liabilities for which rate recovery may be disallowed, which could result in an adverse impact on NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s operating revenues, costs, derivative assets and liabilities and operating cash flows.
−Removed: NW Natural’s gas purchasing requirements expose us to risks of commodity price movements, while NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s use of debt and equity financing exposes us to interest rate, liquidity and other financial market risks.
−Removed: We attempt to manage these exposures with both financial and physical hedging mechanisms, including NW Natural’s gas reserves transactions which are hedges backed by physical gas supplies and interest rate hedging arrangements at NW Holdings and NWN Water.
+Added: Our gas purchasing requirements expose us to risks of commodity price movements, while our use of debt and equity financing exposes us to interest rate, liquidity and other financial market risks.
+Added: We attempt to manage these exposures with both physical hedges, including our storage and gas reserves transactions, which are hedges backed by physical gas supplies, and financial hedges, such as gas swaps and interest rate hedging arrangements.
+Added: We may also enter into other types of financial and physical hedging arrangements from time to time.
While we have risk management procedures for hedging in place, they may not always work as planned and cannot entirely eliminate the risks associated with hedging.
−Removed: Additionally, our hedging activities may cause us to incur additional expenses to obtain the hedge.
+Added: Additionally, our hedging activities may cause
+Added: us to incur additional expenses to obtain the hedge.
We do not hedge our entire interest rate or commodity cost exposure, and the unhedged exposure will vary over time.
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GAS PRICE RISK.
−Removed: Higher natural gas commodity prices and volatility in the price of gas may adversely affect NW Natural’s NGD business, whereas lower gas price volatility may adversely affect NW Natural’s gas storage business, negatively affecting NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s results of operations and cash flows.
+Added: Higher natural gas commodity prices and volatility in the price of gas may adversely affect our NGD business, whereas lower gas price volatility may adversely affect NW Natural’s gas storage business, negatively affecting NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s results of operations and cash flows.
The cost of natural gas is affected by a variety of factors, including weather, changes in demand, the level of production and availability of natural gas supplies, transportation constraints, availability and cost of pipeline capacity, federal, state and local energy and environmental policy, regulation and legislation, natural disasters and other catastrophic events, national and worldwide economic and political conditions, and the price and availability of alternative fuels.
−Removed: In 2022 and 2023 there was increased pricing and volatility in the current and forward gas markets.
−Removed: At NW Natural, the cost we pay for natural gas is generally passed through to customers through an annual PGA rate adjustment.
−Removed: If gas prices were to increase significantly and remain higher, it could raise the cost of energy to NW Natural’s customers, potentially causing those customers to conserve or switch to alternate sources of energy.
+Added: In recent years, we have experienced increased pricing and volatility in the current and forward gas markets.
+Added: In addition, potential tariffs or trade restrictions could impact the price of natural gas that we import from Canada.
+Added: At our gas businesses, the cost we pay for natural gas is generally passed through to customers through an annual purchased gas rate adjustment.
+Added: If gas prices were to increase significantly and remain higher, it could raise the cost of energy to our customers, potentially causing those customers to conserve or switch to alternate sources of energy.
Sustained significant price increases could also cause new home builders and commercial developers to select alternative energy sources.
−Removed: Decreases in the volume of gas NW Natural sells could reduce NW Holdings or
−Removed: NW Natural’s earnings, and a decline in customers could slow growth in future earnings.
+Added: Decreases in the volume of gas we sell could reduce NW Holdings or NW Natural’s earnings, and a decline in customers could slow growth in future earnings.
Additionally, notwithstanding NW Natural’s current rate structure, higher gas costs could result in increased pressure on the OPUC or the WUTC to seek other means to reduce NW Natural’s rates, which also could adversely affect NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s results of operations and cash flows.
−Removed: Temporary gas price increases can also adversely affect NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s operating cash flows, liquidity and results of operations because a portion (10% or 20%) of any difference between the estimated average PGA gas cost in rates and the actual average gas cost incurred is recognized as current income or expense.
−Removed: Temporary or sustained higher gas prices may also cause NW Natural to experience an increase in short-term debt and temporarily reduce liquidity because it pays suppliers for gas when it is purchased, which can be in advance of when these costs are recovered through rates.
+Added: Temporary gas price increases can also adversely affect NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s operating cash flows, liquidity and results of operations.
+Added: In Oregon, a portion (10% or 20%) of any difference between the estimated average PGA gas cost in rates and the actual average gas cost incurred is recognized as current income or expense.
+Added: Temporary or sustained higher gas prices may also cause us to experience an increase in short-term debt and temporarily reduce liquidity because it pays suppliers for gas when it is purchased, which can be in advance of when these costs are recovered through rates.
Significant increases in the price of gas can also slow collection efforts as customers experience increased difficulty in paying their higher energy bills, leading to higher than normal delinquent accounts receivable resulting in greater expense associated with collection efforts and increased bad debt expense.
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Disruptions in capital markets, including but not limited to, pandemics, political unrest, inflationary pressures, recessionary pressures, or rising interest rates could adversely affect our ability to access short-term and long-term financing or refinance maturing indebtedness.
−Removed: Our access to funds under committed credit facilities, which are currently provided by a number of banks, is dependent on the ability of the participating banks to meet their funding commitments.
+Added: Our access to funds under committed
+Added: credit facilities, which are currently provided by a number of banks, is dependent on the ability of the participating banks to meet their funding commitments.
Those banks may not be able to meet their funding commitments if they experience shortages of capital and liquidity.
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Furthermore, recent trends toward investments that are perceived to be “green” or “sustainable” could shift capital away from, or increase the cost of capital for, our natural gas business.
−Removed: We believe our business is an important component of a low carbon future and are striving to decarbonize our systems.
−Removed: Nevertheless, perceptions in the financial markets could differ or outpace our decarbonization progress and result in a shift funding away from, or limit or restrict certain forms of funding for, natural gas businesses.
−Removed: NW Natural is currently rated by S&P and Moody’s and a negative change in its credit ratings, particularly below investment grade, could adversely affect its cost of borrowing and access to sources of liquidity and capital.
−Removed: Such a downgrade could further limit its access to borrowing under available credit lines.
−Removed: Additionally, downgrades in its current credit ratings below investment grade could cause additional delays in NW Natural's ability to access the capital markets while it seeks supplemental state regulatory approval, which could hamper its ability to access credit markets on a timely basis.
+Added: We believe our business is an important component of a lower carbon future and are striving to reduce emissions from our systems.
+Added: Nevertheless, perceptions in the financial markets could differ or outpace our progress toward reducing emissions and result in a shift funding away from, or limit or restrict certain forms of funding for, natural gas businesses.
+Added: Similarly, public policy developments impacting natural gas, including through local, state or federal laws or legislation or other regulation (including ballot initiatives, executive orders or regulatory codes) or litigation could impact our ability to access capital.
+Added: NW Natural is currently rated by S&P and Moody’s, and NW Holdings is currently rated by S&P.
+Added: A negative change in their respective credit ratings, particularly below investment grade, could adversely affect our cost of borrowing and access to sources of liquidity and capital.
+Added: Such a downgrade could further limit our access to borrowing under available credit lines.
+Added: Additionally, downgrades in NW Natural’s current credit ratings below investment grade could cause additional delays in NW Natural's ability to access the capital markets while it seeks supplemental state regulatory approval, which could hamper its ability to access credit markets on a timely basis.
NW Holdings' credit profile is largely supported by NW Natural’s credit ratings and any negative change in NW Natural’s credit ratings would likely negatively impact NW Holdings’ access to sources of liquidity and capital and cost of borrowing.
−Removed: A credit downgrade to NW Natural, or resulting negative impact on NW Holdings, could also require additional support in the form of letters of credit, cash or other forms of collateral and otherwise adversely affect NW Holdings' or NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations.
+Added: A credit downgrade could also require additional support in the form of letters of credit, cash or other forms of collateral and otherwise adversely affect NW Holdings' or NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations.
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS OR GOODWILL RISK .
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If the qualitative assessment indicates that the carrying value may be at risk, we will perform a quantitative assessment and recognize a goodwill impairment for any amount in which the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value.
−Removed: NW Holdings' total goodwill was $163.3 million as of December 31, 2023 and $149.3 million as of December 31, 2022.
−Removed: All of our goodwill is related to water and wastewater acquisitions.
+Added: NW Holdings' total goodwill was $183.8 million as of December 31, 2024 and $163.3 million as of December 31, 2023, which all related to water and wastewater acquisitions.
There have been no impairments recognized for the water and wastewater acquisitions to date.
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An increasing national focus on energy conservation, including improved building practices and appliance efficiencies may result in increased energy conservation by customers.
−Removed: This can decrease NW Natural’s sales of natural gas and adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s results of operations because revenues are collected mostly through volumetric rates, based on the amount of gas sold.
+Added: This can decrease our sales of natural gas and adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s results of operations because revenues are collected mostly through volumetric rates, based on the amount of gas sold.
In Oregon, NW Natural has a conservation tariff which is designed to recover lost utility margin due to declines in residential and small commercial customers’ consumption.
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Moreover, fluctuations and uncertainties in the economy make it challenging for us to accurately forecast and plan future business activities and to identify risks that may affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.
−Removed: Changes in economic activity in our markets and in global financial markets can result lower demand for energy, increased incidence of customers’ inability to pay or delay in paying utility bills or increase in customer bankruptcies, less new housing construction or fewer conversions to natural gas, higher levels of residential foreclosures or vacancies, uncertainty regarding energy prices and the capital and commodity markets, increased credit risk and supply chain uncertainty.
+Added: Changes in economic activity in our markets and in global financial markets can result in lower demand for energy, increased incidence of customers’ inability to pay or delay in paying utility bills or increase in customer bankruptcies, less new housing construction or fewer conversions to natural gas, higher levels of residential foreclosures or vacancies, uncertainty regarding energy prices and the capital and commodity markets, increased credit risk and supply chain uncertainty.
We are evaluating and monitoring current economic conditions, which include but are not limited to:
−Removed: inflation, interest rates and rising commodity costs, recessionary pressures, banking environment and risk of further bank failure, heightened cybersecurity awareness, geopolitical uncertainty, including the ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, and supply chain disruptions.
+Added: inflation and interest rates, supply chain disruptions, and other
+Added: regulatory, physical or cyber related risks impacting our business.
These and other macroeconomic conditions may adversely impact the markets in which we operate and could cause the local, national or global economy to enter a period of recession.
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Warmer than average weather may have a negative impact on our revenues and results of operations.
−Removed: We are exposed to weather risk in our natural gas business, primarily at NW Natural.
+Added: We are exposed to weather risk in our natural gas businesses.
A majority of NW Natural’s gas volume is driven by gas sales to space heating residential and small commercial customers during the winter heating season.
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Although the effects of warmer or colder weather on utility margin in Oregon are expected to be mitigated through the operation of NW Natural’s weather normalization mechanism, weather variations from normal could adversely affect utility margin because NW Natural may be required to purchase more or less gas at spot rates, which may be higher or lower than the rates assumed in its PGA.
−Removed: Additionally, extreme weather events, such as those that occurred in February 2021 and January 2024 can result in the purchase of higher levels of gas at significantly higher spot rates.
+Added: Additionally, extreme weather events, such as those that occurred in NW Natural’s service territory in February 2021 and January 2024 can result in the purchase of higher levels of gas at significantly higher spot rates.
Also, a portion of NW Natural’s Oregon residential and commercial customers (usually less than 10%) have opted out of the weather normalization mechanism, and approximately 12% of its customers are located in Washington where it does not have a weather normalization mechanism.
+Added: SiEnergy, our gas utility in Texas similarly maintains a weather normalization mechanism, however, this mechanism may not fully mitigate the impact of warmer or colder than expected weather in Texas.
These effects could have an adverse effect on NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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• insufficient water supplies, limitations on or disputes with respect to water rights or supplies, or the inability to secure water rights or supplies at a reasonable cost;
−Removed: • disruptions to the wastewater collection and treatment process;
+Added: • disruptions to the wastewater collection and treatment process, including spills, overflows or system failures;
+Added: • wastewater discharges by third parties that contain unanticipated levels of chemical or other pollutants;
• reliance on third parties for water supplies and transportation of such water supplies;
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Events outside of our control, including but not limited to regulatory changes or developments, could adversely affect our ability to realize the anticipated benefits from building NW Holdings’ water platform.
−Removed: The integration of newly acquired water businesses, particularly over noncontiguous geographic regions, may be unpredictable, subject to delays or changed circumstances, and such businesses may not perform in accordance with our expectations.
+Added: The integration of newly acquired water, wastewater or water services businesses, particularly over noncontiguous geographic regions, may be unpredictable, subject to delays or changed circumstances, and such businesses may not perform in accordance with our expectations.
In addition, anticipated costs, level of management’s attention and internal resources to achieve the integration of or operate the acquired businesses may differ significantly from our current estimates resulting in failures or delays in achieving expected returns or performance.
We have previously acquired, and from time to time may make further investments in unregulated businesses on the water platform, including wastewater and water services businesses, which may result in additional uncertainty or volatility of earnings from these businesses.
−Removed: If NW Holdings' expectations regarding the financial results of its investments in water operations prove to be inaccurate, it may adversely affect NW Holdings' financial position or results of operations.
+Added: If NW Holdings'
+Added: expectations regarding the financial results of its investments in water, wastewater or water services operations prove to be inaccurate, it may adversely affect NW Holdings' financial position or results of operations.
Non-Regulated RNG Risks
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NW Holdings’ expansion into the non-regulated RNG business is an important component of its growth strategy.
−Removed: Although NW Holdings expects this expansion will result in various benefits, including providing cost-effective solutions to decarbonize the utility, commercial, industrial and transportation sectors, NW Holdings may not be able to realize these or other benefits.
+Added: Although NW Holdings expects this expansion will result in various benefits, including providing renewable fuels to support decarbonization in the utility, commercial, industrial and transportation sectors, NW Holdings may not be able to realize these or other benefits.
Achieving the anticipated benefits is subject to a number of uncertainties, including whether the investments can be made at an expected scale, whether the investments can be monetized in the manner intended, and whether costs to finance the investments will be consistent with expectations.
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Compared sentence by sentence after normalising whitespace, quotation marks, case and digits, so re-formatting and restated figures do not read as changed language. Wording changes appear as one removal and one addition. The current filing and the prior one are authoritative.