Recessed open meeting Feb. 17
Olympia, Wash. -The UTC is holding a recessed open meeting on Feb. 17 to discuss the response of regulated utilities to the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically focusing on the current economic and public health landscape before the temporary pause on disconnections expires on April 30.
WHAT
Virtual-only open meeting
WHO
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
WHEN and WHERE
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021
9:30 a.m. to noon
Participate by Microsoft Teams
(encouraged, if possible).
Participate by phone.
Call 253-372-2181 and use conference ID 539 541 920#.
If you intend to speak at the meeting, please sign up by 5 p.m. on Feb. 16 at records@utc.wa.gov or by telephone at 360-664-1234.
Translation services are available at no cost to you. If possible, please inform the commission at least one business day prior to the meeting by calling 360-664-1140, or by sending an email to paige.doyle@utc.wa.gov.
If you are unable to participate during the virtual meeting, you can submit comments until 5 p.m. on Feb. 12:
- online,
- via telephone at 888-333-9882,
- by email at comments@utc.wa.gov, or
- by mail to P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504.
BACKGROUND
- On April 17, 2020, Gov. Jay Inslee issued Proclamation 20-23.2, which bans energy, water, and telecommunication companies from disconnecting customers due to nonpayment, refusing to reconnect residential customers who were disconnected for nonpayment, and charging late fees or reconnection fees. The proclamation is currently set to expire April 30, 2021.
- The UTC organized a COVID-19 response workgroup of stakeholders to facilitate development of guidelines to make sure that customers experiencing economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic maintain access to essential services after the proclamation expires.
- The UTC previously held COVID-19 response special open meetings on June 16 and October 15.
- The UTC regulates the rates and services of the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, landline telephone companies, and private water systems among other industries. 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.