NW Natural controversies

Renewable-natural-gas claims and greenwashing criticism

Critics challenged the company's claim framework around renewable natural gas, citing a 5 percent 2024 goal against reported acquisition of less than 1 percent and criticizing the use of out-of-state credits and pro-gas messaging.

Multnomah County climate lawsuit

NW Natural was named as a defendant in a $50 billion lawsuit brought by Multnomah County officials against fossil-fuel companies. The complaint alleges that defendants concealed or misrepresented climate risks and contributed to heat-related deaths. The allegations remain unresolved.

Multnomah County sues ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, Chevron, NW Natural and others over climate damages

Lawsuit filed

Multnomah County filed a lawsuit seeking nearly $52 billion from more than a dozen major oil and gas companies, including ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, Chevron, and NW Natural, as well as industry lobbyists and McKinsey & Company. The suit seeks to hold these parties responsible for climate change impacts affecting the county, including the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome.

Multnomah County filed a nearly $52 billion lawsuit against more than a dozen major oil and gas companies, including ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, Chevron, and NW Natural, as well as industry lobbyists and McKinsey & Company, seeking to hold them responsible for climate change impacts including the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome.

Stated objective. to hold the defendants responsible for climate change and its local impacts

Former manufactured-gas plant cleanup and Willamette River contamination

NW Natural removed tar contamination associated with a former gas plant site that had polluted the Willamette River. The company was later fined for actions connected with the cleanup.