Surveys show that 80% of NW Natural’s residential customers prefer natural gas for heating and cooking, CEO David Anderson said Wednesday.

Anderson spoke at a virtual forum sponsored by the American Gas Association (AGA).

“More than 80% of those surveyed said they would pay $50,000 more for a median-priced home with gas appliances over an all-electric home, said Anderson, who also chairs AGA.

NW Natural is planning 3,000-4,000 annual conversions in a target market of 80,000. It has 150,000 customers near existing distribution mains and an overall conversion market of 400,000. The Portland, OR-based gas utility serves 63% of the residential customers in its territory across Oregon and parts of Washington.

In the greater Portland metropolitan area and surrounding areas...