EXHIBIT 23(A)

                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 18, 2000 relating to
the financial statements and financial statement schedule, which appears
in Northwest Natural Gas Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1999.  We also consent to the reference to us under the
heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Portland, Oregon
February 7, 2001