Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Schedule of Regulatory Assets [Table Text Block]



	Regulatory Assets
	June 30,				December 31,
In thousands	2015		2014		2014
Current:
Unrealized loss on derivatives⁽¹⁾	$	15,017	$	1,466	$	29,889
Gas costs	19,070		19,268		21,794
Other⁽²⁾	28,929		17,531		16,879
Total current	$	63,016	$	38,265	$	68,562
Non-current:
Unrealized loss on derivatives⁽¹⁾	$	1,077	$	191	$	3,515
Pension balancing⁽³⁾	38,255		28,997		32,541
Income taxes	44,767		49,007		47,427
Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities	193,356		120,942		201,845
Environmental costs⁽⁴⁾	49,917		52,117		58,859
Gas costs	2,472		3,768		5,971
Other⁽²⁾	12,962		12,226		18,750
Total non-current	$	342,806	$	267,248	$	368,908

Schedule of Regulatory Liabilities [Table Text Block]



	Regulatory Liabilities
	June 30,				December 31,
In thousands	2015		2014		2014
Current:
Gas costs	$	20,087	$	6,423	$	5,700
Unrealized gain on derivatives⁽¹⁾	1,015		11,286		240
Other⁽²⁾	5,610		9,033		13,165
Total current	$	26,712	$	26,742	$	19,105
Non-current:
Gas costs	$	3,615	$	1,057	$	2,507
Unrealized gain on derivatives⁽¹⁾	1,369		1,202		—
Accrued asset removal costs⁽⁵⁾	320,206		303,567		311,238
Other⁽²⁾	3,456		3,501		3,460
Total non-current	$	328,646	$	309,327	$	317,205

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

We consider the applicability and impact of all accounting standards updates (ASUs) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Accounting standards updates not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT. On May 1, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent). The amendment removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient and also removes certain disclosure requirements. The new requirements are effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016 with retrospective application to all periods presented required and early adoption permitted. NW Natural does not expect the ASU to affect its financial statements and does not expect it to materially affect its disclosures.

INTANGIBLES - GOODWILL AND OTHER - INTERNAL-USE SOFTWARE. On April 15, 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. This amendment provides customers guidance on how to determine whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. The new requirements are effective for the Company January 1, 2016. The amendment can be applied prospectively or retrospectively and early adoption is permitted. NW Natural does not expect the ASU to materially affect its financial statements and disclosures.

DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS. On April 7, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the associated debt liability. The new requirements are effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016. Early adoption is permitted, and the new guidance will be applied on a retrospective basis. NW Natural does not expect the ASU to materially affect its financial statements and disclosures.

REVENUE RECOGNITION. On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 Revenue From Contracts with Customers. The underlying principle of the guidance requires entities to recognize revenue depicting the transfer of goods or services to customers at amounts expected to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The model provides a five-step approach to revenue recognition: (1) identify the contract(s) with the customer; (2) identify the separate performance obligations in the contract(s); (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to separate performance obligations; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, each performance obligation is satisfied. The new requirements prescribe either a full retrospective or simplified transition adoption method. On July 9, 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date by one year to January 1, 2018 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The FASB also permitted early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. The Company is currently assessing the effect of this standard on our financial statements and disclosures.