The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission regulates many utilities that directly impact your life and community. This guide outlines what the commission can help you with when it comes to your electricity, natural gas, water, telephone, residential moving, and solid waste services. It also includes contact information for unregulated problems you may need help with.
UTC Consumer Protection Specialists are available at 1-888-333-WUTC (9882) or by emailing consumer@utc.wa.gov.
Electric
| Call the Commission |
The UTC Does Not Regulate |
- Investor-owned electric companies such as:
- Puget Sound Energy
- Avista Utilities
- Pacificorp
- Rates and charges
- Meter and billing accuracy
- Reliability of the electric service
- Quality of service
|
- Municipally-owned, Public Utility Districts, Cooperative electric utilities such as:
- Seattle City Light
- Tacoma Power and Light
- Snohomish PUD
- Electrical wiring inside customer's home
- Damage claims
- Physical placement or relocation of utility poles
|
Natural Gas
| Call the Commission |
The UTC Does Not Regulate |
- Investor-owned natural gas companies such as:
- Puget Sound Energy
- Avista Utilities
- Cascade Natural Gas
- Northwest Natural Gas
- Rates and charges
- Meter and billing accuracy
- Reliability of the natural gas service
- Pipeline safety oversight
- Damage prevention—Call Before You Dig
- Quality of service
|
- Heating oil
- Liquid propane gas rates
- Damage claims
- House piping
- Gas pipeline siting
|
Water
| Call the Commission |
The UTC Does Not Regulate |
- Investor-owned water companies with over 100 customers or average annual revenue of $557 per customer
- Rates and charges
- Meter and billing accuracy
|
- Municipally owned water companies
- Public Utility Districts
- Local improvement districts
- Water districts
- Homeowner's associations
- Water treatment companies
- Damage claims
|
Telecommunications
| Call the Commission |
The UTC Does Not Regulate |
- Local service providers—landline telephone only
- In-state long distance telephone services
- Network wiring up to the network interface device (box on home or building)
- Proper authorization of carrier change (slamming)
- Billing problems
- Quality of service
- Number portability
- Pay phone price disclosure and operator services
|
- Wireless Services (AG)
- Cable or satellite television (FCC)
- Interstate or international telephone services
(FCC-see below)
- Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) (AG)
- Charges for pay per call—900 numbers
- Directory advertising
- Solicitation call (FTC)
- DSL problems (AG)
- Bundled services (the commission does regulate a landline within a bundle)
|
Solid Waste and Recycling
| Call the Commission |
The UTC Does Not Regulate |
- Privately-owned solid waste haulers in the state of Washington, not operating under a city contract
- Solid waste and recycling service
- Rates and charges
|
- Municipally owned solid waste and recycling
- Standards and service-levels for recycling
- Hazardous waste
- Self-haul locations, such as garbage drop boxes and waste and recovery centers
- Damage claims
|
Residential Movers
| Call the Commission |
The UTC Does Not Regulate |
- Residential moves within the state of Washington
- Rates and charges
- Loss and damage claims
|
- Interstate moves (FMCSA)
- Commercial or office moves
|
