MEDIA ADVISORY
UTC to hold virtual meeting on June 16 about COVID-19 pandemic
Media contact: (360) 664-1116 or media@utc.wa.gov
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Representatives from regulated utilities will address state regulators at a virtual special open meeting to discuss how they are responding to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHAT
Virtual Special Open Meeting
WHO
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC)
WHEN and WHERE
Tuesday, June 16
1 p.m.
Virtual Meeting Only
The meeting will continue on June 17 at 10 a.m., if necessary.
Participate by phone
Call 360-407-3810 and use Conference ID 648699.
Participate by Skype
https://lync.wa.gov/utc.wa.gov/meet/omeeting/
BACKGROUND
The commission requests a status update from regulated utilities and interested persons regarding their general experiences responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, including:
• Whether and how the demand for utility service has changed,
• The types of additional expenditures being incurred,
• Any expenditures avoided or delayed,
• Resource and supplier availability,
• Customer interactions, and
• Concerns for the immediate future.
Specifically, the commission is interested in the number of accounts with arrearages, the total dollar amount of past due accounts receivable, and the estimated time period until remaining ratepayer assistance funds will be exhausted.
Utilities should be prepared to discuss transition plans related to the Governor’s disconnection moratorium currently in effect until July 28, 2020.
The UTC is the state agency that regulates private, investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities in Washington. It is the commission’s responsibility to ensure regulated companies provide safe and reliable service to customers at reasonable rates, while allowing them the opportunity to earn a fair profit.
###
Editor’s Note: The UTC is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to meeting participants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation, please contact the commission at (360) 664-1133.