NW Natural Declares Quarterly Dividend, Marks 50th Consecutive Year of Increasing Dividends Paid

The declaration marks the 50th consecutive year that NW Naturalhas increased dividends paid to shareholders.

According to Mergent, Inc., a leading tracker of public companyperformance, only three other companies have steadily increased theirdividends for at least 50 years.

"We're proud to be one of a handful of companies to deliver to ourshareholders five decades of dividend growth," said Mark S. Dodson, NWNatural's president and chief executive officer. "This record is ademonstration of what is possible when a company is dedicated toproviding superior value to customers and shareholders."

Dodson will ring the opening bell for the New York Stock Exchangeon October 13 in celebration of this rare corporate milestone. He willbe joined by two of NW Natural's board members: Richard Woolworth,chairman of the board, and Stormy Byorum.

The dividends will be paid November 15, 2005, to shareholders ofrecord on October 31, 2005.