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 |
Call the Commission
- 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
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The UTC Does Not Regulate
- 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
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Natural Gas
Call the Commission |
The UTC Does Not Regulate |
Call the Commission
- 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
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The UTC Does Not Regulate
- Heating oil
- Liquid propane gas rates
- Damage claims
- House piping
- Gas pipeline siting
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Water
Call the Commission |
The UTC Does Not Regulate |
Call the Commission
- Investor-owned water companies with over 100 customers or average annual revenue of $557 per customer
- Rates and charges
- Meter and billing accuracy
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The UTC Does Not Regulate
- Municipally owned water companies
- Public Utility Districts
- Local improvement districts
- Water districts
- Homeowner's associations
- Water treatment companies
- Damage claims
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Telecommunications
Call the Commission |
The UTC Does Not Regulate |
Call the Commission
- 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
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The UTC Does Not Regulate
- 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)
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Solid Waste and Recycling
Call the Commission |
The UTC Does Not Regulate |
Call the Commission
- Privately-owned solid waste haulers in the state of Washington, not operating under a city contract
- Solid waste and recycling service
- Rates and charges
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The UTC Does Not Regulate
- 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
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Residential Movers
Call the Commission |
The UTC Does Not Regulate |
Call the Commission
- Residential moves within the state of Washington
- Rates and charges
- Loss and damage claims
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The UTC Does Not Regulate
- Interstate moves (FMCSA)
- Commercial or office moves
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