The document provides an overview of the natural gas industry and Cascade Natural Gas Corporation. It notes that natural gas serves 65 million homes, 5 million businesses, and over 1,800 power plants in the US, accounting for one-fourth of all energy used. Cascade Natural Gas is an investor-owned utility that has served customers in Washington and Oregon since 1953. The document discusses factors such as safety and reliability standards, capital intensity, accounting and rate regulation that utilities must consider.