Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Schedule of Subsequent Events [Table Text Block]	14. Subsequent Event On July 12, 2012, NW Natural entered into a bond purchase agreement under which a group of investors agreed to purchase $50 million of our first mortgage bonds with a coupon rate of 4.00 percent and a 30 year maturity. The bond issuance is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close on or before October 31, 2012. The proceeds of the issuance are to be used to reduce short-term debt and for other general corporate purposes.

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of significant events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date the financial statements were issued or the date the financial statements were available to be issued. Examples include: the sale of a capital stock issue, purchase of a business, settlement of litigation, losses resulting from fire or flood, losses on receivables, significant realized and unrealized gains and losses that result from changes in quoted market prices of securities, declines in market prices of inventory, changes in authorized or issued debt (SEC), significant foreign exchange rate changes, substantial loans to insiders or affiliates, significant long-term investments, and substantial dividends not in the ordinary course of business.

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