Docket Number: U-210590
UTC seeking input on measures to hold utilities accountable
Lacey, Wash. – The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission invites the public to attend a workshop and provide feedback on what performance measures the UTC should track and evaluate for the state’s private, investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities.
As part of a five-year project to review how it regulates utilities, the UTC is asking for feedback on performance measures for which utilities are responsible. The UTC encourages utility customers, regulated utilities, stakeholders, organizations representing low-income and underserved communities, and the public to attend and submit written comments.
Examples of potential measures could include customer service standards, reliability of utility service for different communities to identify service and equity gaps, how utilities prepare for and respond to major weather events, and effectiveness of utility infrastructure investments and maintenance spending, and investments in clean energy in meeting state goals and requirements.
The UTC will use the public feedback from this workshop to develop an initial policy statement on performance standards for utilities by March 2023.
WHAT
Virtual-only workshop and opportunity for public comment
WHO
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
WHEN and WHERE
Tuesday, April 19
9:30 a.m.
Participate by Zoom (encouraged, if possible).
Participate by phone. Call 253-215-8782 and use meeting ID 992 9579 7002# and passcode 402344#.
Participants will discuss five questions listed in the workshop notice.
If you would like to participate and need an interpreter, request one at no cost by calling the UTC at 360-664-1140 or emailing paige.doyle@utc.wa.gov one business day before the meeting.
You can also request a reasonable accommodation by calling the UTC at least one business day before the workshop at 360-664-1132 or emailing human_resources@utc.wa.gov.
If you are unable to participate during the virtual meeting, you can submit written comments until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27:
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via telephone at 888-333-9882,
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by email at comments@utc.wa.gov, or
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by mail to P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504.
BACKGROUND
In 2021, Gov. Inslee signed Senate Bill 5295 into law, requiring the UTC to develop guidance on alternatives to traditional cost-of-service ratemaking, including how the UTC can consider utility performance when evaluating utility rate requests.
In 2021, the UTC began a phased approach to implementing this legislation. During the first phase, the UTC will study what performance measures or goals it should include in its initial policy statement.
These changes to the UTC’s process will support the state’s transition to clean energy, ensure the UTC can hold companies accountable for measures that matter to their customers, and that low-income communities and communities of color aren’t disproportionately shouldering the state’s energy costs.
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.
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Editor’s Note: All documents related to this project are in Docket U-210590 on the commission’s website www.utc.wa.gov.