To approximately 100 small communities in Washington and Oregon, Cascade Natural Gas is the main man. The gas utility transmits and distributes natural gas to more than 250,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers. It also distributes gas to approximately 200 noncore customers, mostly large industrial users buying their supplies from third parties. Cascade Natural Gas' service territory covers more than 3,000 sq. miles and 700 highway miles. The utility obtains its gas mainly from Canadian suppliers and producers in the Rocky Mountains. Cascade Natural Gas is a subsidiary of energy giant MDU Resources.