2.2.0.7 false Commitments and Contigencies 01900 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contigencies true false false false 1 USD false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 EPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ 2 Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies 0 nwn_DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies nwn false na duration No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string No definition available. false 3 Commitments and Contingencies 1 us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlock us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 11.       Commitments and Contingencies Environmental Matters We own, or have previously owned, properties that may require environmental remediation or action.  We accrue all material loss contingencies relating to these properties that we believe to be probable of assertion and reasonably estimable.  We continue to study and evaluate the extent of our potential environmental liabilities, but due to the numerous uncertainties surrounding the course of environmental remediation and the preliminary nature of several environmental site investigations, the range of potential loss beyond the amounts currently accrued, and the probabilities thereof, cannot currently be reasonably estimated.  See Part II, Item 8., Note 11, in the 2009 Form 10-K.   The status of each site currently under investigation is provided below. Gasco site. We own property in Multnomah County, Oregon that is the site of a former gas manufacturing plant that was closed in 1956 (the Gasco site). The Gasco site has been under investigation by us for environmental contamination under the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's (ODEQ) Voluntary Clean-Up Program. In June 2003, we filed a Feasibility Scoping Plan and an Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment with the ODEQ, which outlined a range of remedial alternatives for the most contaminated portion of the Gasco site. In May 2007, we completed a revised Upland Remediation Investigation Report and submitted it to the ODEQ for review.  In November 2007, we submitted a Focused Feasibility Study (FFS) for groundwater source control, ODEQ conditionally approved the FFS in March 2008, subject to the submission of additional information. We provided that information to ODEQ and are working with the agency on the final design for the system. During the third quarter of 2009, we signed a joint Order on Consent with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which requires the design of a final remedial action for the Gasco sediments. The design project is underway. We have a liability accrued of $51.3 million at September 30, 2010 for the Gasco site, which is estimated at the low end of the range of potential liability because no amount within the range is considered to be more likely than another, and the high end of the range cannot reasonably be estimated. In April 2004, we entered into an Administrative Order on Consent providing for early action removal of a deposit of tar in the river sediments adjacent to the Gasco site (see “Portland Harbor site,” below). We completed this removal of the tar deposit in the Portland Harbor in October 2005, and on November 5, 2005 the EPA approved the completed project. The total cost of removal, including technical work, oversight, consultant fees, legal fees and ongoing monitoring, was about $9.9 million. To date, we have paid $9.6 million on work related to the removal of the tar deposit. As of September 30, 2010, we have a liability accrued of $0.3 million under the Portland Harbor site for our estimate of ongoing costs related to this tar deposit removal. Siltronic site. We previously owned property adjacent to the Gasco site that now is the location of a manufacturing plant owned by Siltronic Corporation (the Siltronic site). We are currently conducting an investigation of manufactured gas plant wastes on the uplands at this site for the ODEQ.  The liability accrued at September 30, 2010 for the Siltronic site is $1 million, which is at the low end of the range of potential liability because no amount within the range is considered to be more likely than another, and the high end of the range cannot reasonably be estimated. Portland Harbor site. In 1998, the ODEQ and the EPA completed a study of sediments in a 5.5-mile segment of the Willamette River (Portland Harbor) that includes an area adjacent to the Gasco and Siltronic sites. The Portland Harbor was listed by the EPA as a Superfund site in 2000 and we were notified that we are a potentially responsible party. We then joined with other potentially responsible parties, referred to as the Lower Willamette Group, to fund environmental studies in the Portland Harbor. Subsequently, the EPA approved a Programmatic Work Plan, Field Sampling Plan and Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Portland Harbor Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS), completion of which is scheduled for 2011. The EPA and the Lower Willamette Group are conducting focused studies on approximately nine miles of the lower Willamette River, including the 5.5-mile segment previously studied by the EPA. In August 2008, we signed a cooperative agreement to participate in a phased natural resource damage assessment, with the intent to identify what, if any, additional information is necessary to estimate further liabilities sufficient to support an early restoration-based settlement of natural resource damage claims.  As of September 30, 2010, we have a liability accrued of $8 million for this site, which is at the low end of the range of the potential liability because no amount within the range is considered to be more likely than another, and the high end of the range cannot reasonably be estimated. Central Service Center site. In 2006, we received notice from the ODEQ that our Central Service Center in southeast Portland (the Central Service Center site) was assigned a high priority for further environmental investigation. Previously there were three manufactured gas storage tanks on the premises. The ODEQ believes there could be site contamination associated with releases of condensate from stored manufactured gas as a result of historic gas handling practices. In the early 1990s, we excavated waste piles and much of the contaminated surface soils and removed accessible waste from some of the abandoned piping. In early 2008, we received notice that this site was added to the ODEQ's list of sites where releases of hazardous substances have been confirmed and to its list where additional investigation or cleanup is necessary. We are currently performing an environmental investigation of the property with the ODEQ's Independent Cleanup Pathway.  As of September 30, 2010, we have a liability accrued of $0.5 million for investigation at this site. The estimate is at the low end of the range of potential liability because no amount within the range is considered to be more likely than another and the high end of the range cannot reasonably be estimated. Front Street site. The Front Street site was the former location of a gas manufacturing plant we operated. It is near but outside the geographic scope of the current Portland Harbor site sediment studies, the EPA directed the Lower Willamette Group to collect a series of surface and subsurface sediment samples off the river bank adjacent to where that facility was located. Based on the results of that sampling, the EPA notified the Lower Willamette Group that additional sampling would be required. As the Front Street site is upstream from the Portland Harbor site, the EPA agreed that it could be managed separately from the Portland Harbor site under ODEQ authority.  Work plans for source control investigation and a historical report were submitted to ODEQ and those initial studies were completed.  In 2010, ODEQ required work plans for additional studies which were submitted and are undergoing review and approval by DEQ. As of September 30, 2010, we have an estimated liability accrued of $1.1 million for the study of the site, which will include investigation of sediments, upland riverbank groundwater and soils, and reporting of historical upland activities.  The estimate is at the low end of the range of potential liability because no amount within the range is considered to be more likely than another and the high end of the range cannot reasonably be estimated. Oregon Steel Mills site. See “Legal Proceedings,” below. Accrued Liabilities Relating to Environmental Sites. The following table summarizes the accrued liabilities relating to environmental sites at September 30, 2010 and 2009 and December 31, 2009:<div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;margin-top:20px;"><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 20px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:20px;"> </td><td style="width: 170px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:170px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td colspan="7" style="width: 235px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:235px;">Current Liabilities</td><td style="width: 20px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:20px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td colspan="7" style="width: 235px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:235px;">Non-Current Liabilities</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 20px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:20px;"> </td><td style="width: 170px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:170px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;">Sept. 30,</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;">Sept. 30,</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;">Dec. 31,</td><td style="width: 20px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:20px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;">Sept. 30,</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;">Sept. 30,</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;">Dec. 31,</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 190px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:190px;">Thousands</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;">2010</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;">2009</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;">2009</td><td style="width: 20px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:20px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;">2010</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;">2009</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;">2009</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 190px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:190px;">Gasco site</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 7,738</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 8,729</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 9,841</td><td style="width: 20px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:20px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 43,597</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 42,295</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 43,659</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 190px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:190px;">Siltronic site</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 746</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 708</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 653</td><td style="width: 20px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:20px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 275</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 393</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 593</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 190px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:190px;">Portland Harbor site</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 2,712</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 2,114</td><td style="width: 20px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:20px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 5,594</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 7,820</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 7,272</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 190px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:190px;">Central Service Center site</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 5</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 5</td><td style="width: 20px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:20px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 510</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 517</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 511</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 190px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:190px;">Front Street site</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 72</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 419</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 72</td><td style="width: 20px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:20px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 1,039</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 436</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 190px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:190px;">Other sites</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> -</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> -</td><td style="width: 20px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:20px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 110</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 177</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 65px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 123</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px"><td style="width: 20px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:20px;"> </td><td style="width: 170px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:170px;">Total</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 11,273</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 9,856</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 12,685</td><td style="width: 20px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:20px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 51,125</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 51,202</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 65px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:65px;"> 52,594</td></tr></table></div>Regulatory and Insurance Recovery for Environmental Costs.  In May 2003, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) approved our request to defer unreimbursed environmental costs associated with certain named sites, including those described above.  Beginning in 2006, the OPUC granted us additional authorization to accrue interest on deferred environmental cost balances, subject to an annual demonstration that we have maximized our insurance recovery or made substantial progress in securing insurance recovery for unrecovered environmental expenses. Through a series of extensions, the authorized cost deferral and interest accrual has been extended through January 2011.  On a cumulative basis, we have recognized a total of $104.0 million for environmental costs, including legal, investigation, monitoring and remediation costs, including $4.9 million accrued and paid prior to regulatory deferral order approval.  At September 30, 2010, we had a regulatory asset of $111.9 million, which includes $42.2 million of total paid expenditures to date, $57 million for additional environmental costs expected to be paid in the future and accrued interest of $12.7 million.  While we believe recovery of these deferred charges is probable through the regulatory process, we intend to pursue recovery from insurance carriers under our general liability insurance policies prior to seeking recovery through rates. Our regulatory asset will be reduced by the amount of any corresponding insurance recoveries. We consider insurance recovery of most of our environmental costs to date probable based on a combination of factors including: a review of the terms of our insurance policies; the financial condition of the insurance companies providing coverage; a review of successful claims filed by other utilities with similar gas manufacturing facilities; and Oregon law that allows an insured party to seek recovery of “all sums” from one insurance company.  We have initiated settlement discussions with a majority of our insurers. In the event that settlements cannot be reached, we intend to pursue other legal remedies. We continue to anticipate that our overall insurance recovery effort will extend over several years. We anticipate that our regulatory recovery of environmental cost deferrals will not be initiated within the next 12 months because we do not expect to have completed our insurance recovery efforts during that time period. As such we have classified our regulatory assets for environmental cost deferrals as non-current.  The following table summarizes the non-current regulatory assets relating to environmental sites at September 30, 2010 and 2009 and December 31, 2009:<div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;margin-top:20px;"><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 20px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:20px;"> </td><td style="width: 265px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:265px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td colspan="7" style="width: 415px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:415px;">Non-Current Regulatory Assets</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 20px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:20px;"> </td><td style="width: 265px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:265px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;">September 30,</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;">September 30,</td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;">December 31,</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 285px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:285px;">Thousands</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;">2010</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;">2009</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;">2009</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 285px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:285px;">Gasco site</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 125px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 72,531</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 125px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 66,105</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 125px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 69,607</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 285px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:285px;">Siltronic site</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 3,120</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 2,750</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 2,974</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 285px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:285px;">Portland Harbor site</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 33,316</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 29,239</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 31,500</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 285px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:285px;">Central Service Center site</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 551</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 548</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 550</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 285px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:285px;">Front Street site</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 2,000</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 700</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 910</td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td colspan="2" style="width: 285px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:285px;">Other sites</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 413</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 469</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 125px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 507</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px"><td style="width: 20px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:20px;"> </td><td style="width: 265px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:265px;">Total</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 125px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 111,931</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 125px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 99,811</td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:left;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;">$</td><td style="width: 125px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;border-color:#000000;min-width:125px;"> 106,048</td></tr></table></div>Legal Proceedings We are subject to claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the final outcome of any of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, including the matter described below, we do not expect that the ultimate disposition of any of these matters will have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Oregon Steel Mills site. In 2004, NW Natural was served with a third-party complaint by the Port of Portland (Port) in a Multnomah County Circuit Court case, Oregon Steel Mills, Inc. v. The Port of Portland. The Port alleges that in the 1940s and 1950s petroleum wastes generated by our predecessor, Portland Gas & Coke Company, and 10 other third-party defendants were disposed of in a waste oil disposal facility operated by the United States or Shaver Transportation Company on property then owned by the Port and now owned by Oregon Steel Mills. The complaint seeks contribution for unspecified past remedial action costs incurred by the Port regarding the former waste oil disposal facility as well as a declaratory judgment allocating liability for future remedial action costs. No date has been set for trial and discovery is ongoing. Although the final outcome of this proceeding cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect that the ultimate disposition of this matter will have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. 11.       Commitments and Contingencies Environmental Matters We own, or have previously owned, properties that false false false us-types:textBlockItemType textblock Includes disclosure of commitments and contingencies. This element may be used as a single block of text to encapsulate the entire disclosure including data and tables. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 14 -Paragraph 3 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 5 -Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12 false 1 2 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true