Exhibit 23


                       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 16, 2001 relating to the
financial statements and financial statement schedule, which appears in NW
Natural's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December
31, 2000. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in
such Registration Statement.


PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Portland, Oregon
August 22, 2001