XML 48 R34.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.23.2
Environmental Matters
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2023
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]  
Schedule of Environmental Loss Contingencies by Site
The following table summarizes information regarding liabilities related to environmental sites, which are recorded in other current liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities in NW Natural's balance sheet:
Current LiabilitiesNon-Current Liabilities
June 30,December 31,June 30,December 31,
In thousands202320222022202320222022
Portland Harbor site:
Gasco/Siltronic Sediments$8,103 $6,144 $9,744 $42,120 $40,740 $42,120 
Other Portland Harbor2,838 2,313 2,634 10,143 8,613 11,270 
Gasco/Siltronic Upland site11,424 11,050 16,067 33,516 34,352 35,457 
Front Street site513 585 457 939 868 879 
Oregon Steel Mills— — — 179 179 179 
Total$22,878 $20,092 $28,902 $86,897 $84,752 $89,905 
Environmental Regulatory Table
The following table presents information regarding the total regulatory asset deferred:
June 30,December 31,
In thousands202320222022
Deferred costs and interest (1)
$51,237 $48,814 $47,666 
Accrued site liabilities (2)
109,727 104,798 118,763 
Insurance proceeds and interest(56,055)(60,226)(54,784)
Total regulatory asset deferral(1)
$104,909 $93,386 $111,645 
Current regulatory assets(3)
6,749 6,975 7,392 
Long-term regulatory assets(3)
98,160 86,411 104,253 
(1)     Includes pre-review and post-review deferred costs, amounts currently in amortization, and interest, net of amounts collected from customers.
(2)    Excludes 3.3% of the Front Street site liability as the OPUC only allows recovery of 96.7% of costs for those sites allocable to Oregon, including those that historically served only Oregon customers. Amounts excluded from regulatory assets were $47 thousand at June 30, 2023, $47 thousand at June 30, 2022, and $43 thousand at December 31, 2022.
(3)    Environmental costs relate to specific sites approved for regulatory deferral by the OPUC and WUTC. In Oregon, NW Natural earns a carrying charge on cash amounts paid, whereas amounts accrued but not yet paid do not earn a carrying charge until expended. It also accrues a carrying charge on insurance proceeds for amounts owed to customers. In Washington, neither the cash paid for insurance proceeds received accrue a carrying charge. Current environmental costs represent remediation costs management expects to collect from customers in the next 12 months. Amounts included in this estimate are still subject to a prudence and earnings test review by the OPUC and do not include the $5.0 million tariff rider. The amounts allocable to Oregon are recoverable through NGD rates, subject to an earnings test.