EXHIBIT 23.1




                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated February 18, 2000 relating to the
financial statements and financial statement schedules of Northwest Natural Gas
Company, which appears in Northwest Natural Gas Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Portland, Oregon
September 21, 2000