NW Natural has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC) Corporate Excellence Award for its leadership in energy affordability. The national honor recognizes the company's innovative practices and community partnerships on behalf of economically challenged customers. The award was presented on May 19 during the NEUAC annual conference in Seattle.

The recognition highlights NW Natural's Oregon Low-Income Energy Efficiency (OLIEE) program, a no-cost, whole-home retrofit initiative funded through a public purpose charge on customer bills. Operating for more than 20 years, the program reduces energy burdens for income-qualified households through comprehensive upgrades. These interventions include new roofs, insulation, windows, high-efficiency natural gas furnaces, water heaters, and appliances. To date, the program has served 2,500 households across Oregon.

"This recognition reinforces the importance of our sustained investment in affordability and equity," said Mary Moerlins, Manager of Environmental Policy and Corporate Responsibility, NW Natural. "We are proud of what we've built alongside our community partners, and we're grateful for the collaboration across NW Natural and advocates whose dedication makes this work possible."

NW Natural was nominated by Kevin Brown of the Oregon Energy Fund (OEF), who cited the company's partnership-driven approach. "NW Natural's commitment to its most vulnerable customers goes far beyond regulatory compliance," Brown wrote. "For a utility willing to invest not just dollars but genuine partnership in the communities it serves, NW Natural sets the standard for corporate excellence in the natural gas industry."

The company's community partnership model involves working with OEF and Habitat for Humanity to combine utility funding with nonprofit expertise. Together, they have completed energy retrofits at Agape Square, a 14-home Habitat community in Portland's Cully neighborhood, and Lindsay Lane, a 19-home Habitat community in Hillsboro.

"Community-based partners play a critical role in the program by meeting households where they are and connecting families not only to energy efficiency services, but also to broader wraparound resources," said Rebeca Enriquez, Manager of Energy Affordability, NW Natural.

About NW Natural

NW Natural is a local distribution company providing natural gas service to approximately 2 million people in more than 140 communities through over 810,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The company owns and operates 21 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity in Oregon. NW Natural, a part of Northwest Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN), is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and has been in business for over 167 years.