Northwest Natural Holding 10-Q 2005 Q3 Quarterly report

EXHIBIT 12

NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

January 1, 2000 – Sept. 30, 2005

(Thousands, except ratio of earnings to fixed charges)

(Unaudited)

	Year Ended December 31										12 Months Ended Sept. 30, 2005		Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2005*
	2004		2003		2002		2001		2000
Fixed Charges, as Defined:
Interest on Long-Term Debt	$	33,776	$	33,258	$	32,264	$	30,224	$	29,987	$	34,045	$	25,619
Other Interest		2,184		2,048		1,620		3,772		3,628		2,219		1,391
Amortization of Debt
Discount and Expense		773		696		799		768		735		829		628
Interest Portion of Rentals		1,489		1,622		1,578		1,572		1,628		1,364		986
Total Fixed Charges, as defined	$	38,222	$	37,624	$	36,261	$	36,336	$	35,978	$	38,457	$	28,624
Earnings, as Defined:
Net Income	$	50,572	$	45,983	$	43,792	$	50,187	$	50,224	$	59,317	$	32,356
Taxes on Income		26,531		23,340		23,444		27,553		26,829		31,910		17,934
Fixed Charges, as above		38,222		37,624		36,261		36,336		35,978		38,457		28,624
Total Earnings, as defined	$	115,325	$	106,947	$	103,497	$	114,076	$	113,031	$	129,684	$	78,914
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges		3.02		2.84		2.85		3.14		3.14		3.37		2.76

* A significant part of the business of the Company is of a seasonal nature; therefore, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the interim period is not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.