NW Natural Receives 2026 Corporate Excellence Award for Energy Affordability Leadership from the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC)
NW Natural is the sole winner of the national award for its support of Oregon low-income energy efficiency programs
NW Natural has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC) Corporate Excellence Award, a national honor recognizing outstanding achievement by a company or corporate entity on behalf of economically challenged customers through innovative practices, outstanding community partnership and impressive depth of programming. The award was presented on May 19 during the NEUAC annual conference in Seattle.
"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 highlighted the company's partnership-driven approach to delivering comprehensive energy efficiency and weatherization improvements that provide deep, lasting energy burden reductions for income-qualified Oregonians.
"NW Natural's commitment to its most vulnerable customers goes far beyond regulatory compliance," Brown wrote in his nomination. "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."
At the center of the recognition is NW Natural's offering of the Oregon Low-Income Energy Efficiency (OLIEE) program, a no-cost, whole-home retrofit initiative funded through a public purpose charge on NW Natural customer bills. Operating for more than 20 years, OLIEE reduces energy burdens for income-qualified households through comprehensive upgrades that improve comfort, safety and long-term affordability. These upgrades include lasting interventions like new roofs, insulation, windows, high-efficiency natural gas furnaces, water heaters, and appliances. To date, the program has served 2,500 households across Oregon.
"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 that support housing stability and overall well-being," said Rebeca Enriquez, Manager of Energy Affordability, NW Natural.
What distinguishes NW Natural's approach is its intentional community partnership model. Working alongside OEF and Habitat for Humanity, the company has built a replicable framework that combines utility funding with nonprofit expertise and community trust. 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.
About NW Natural
NW Natural is a local distribution company that currently provides natural gas service to approximately 2 million people in more than 140 communities through more than 810,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural consistently leads the industry with high J.D. Power & Associates customer satisfaction scores. NW Natural owns and operates 21 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity in Oregon. NW Natural, a part of Northwest Natural Holding Company, (NYSE:NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and has been doing business for over 167 years. NW Holdings owns NW Natural, SiEnergy Operating, LLC (SiEnergy), NW Natural Water Company (NW Natural Water), NW Natural Renewables Holdings (NW Natural Renewables), and other business interests. We have a longstanding commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and taking care of our employees and communities. Learn more in our latest Community & Sustainability Report.
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Media Contact: Stefanie Week, stefanie.week@nwnatural.com