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My utility, Northwest Natural Gas Company, is now working 



closely with two of BPA's customers: Clark PUD; and Eugene Water 



& Electric Board, and with Portland General Electric company in 



exploring the possibility of joint programs. Some of these 



efforts could include fuel switching programs as well as 



operational programs such as joint trenching, shared meter 



reading, billing, etc. There are earlier examples of natural gas 



and electric utilities working together to plan fuel switches and 



other efficient uses of energy in their own service territories. 



It appears to me that individual utilities can work together 



better to provide the energy resources that are needed in the 



region. Thus far, in recent years at least, it appears that the 



planning processes of the NPPC and BPA have not been particularly 



open to considering natural gas in planning for the current and 



future demands and energy resource requirements of the Pacific 



Northwest. I believe that the individual utilities can do a 



better job of planning for their own future demands and 



requirements if perverse electric consumption incentives are 



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