Media Contact: (360) 664-1116 or media@utc.wa.gov
Docket Number: A-230217
UTC seeking public feedback to integrate energy justice and equity work throughout commission decisions and procedures
LACEY, Wash. - The Utilities and Transportation Commission invites the public to provide written comments as they begin implementing a multi-year plan to help address energy justice and integrate equity work throughout commission and regulated company procedures.
Commissioners are asking the public for comments in response to the following questions:
- What procedural justice considerations would you like to see discussed?
- What element(s) of procedural justice are most important to you?
The commission is also asking the public to provide comments about their interpretation of procedural justice and how to implement procedural justice. Additional information about procedural justice is available on the Equity Docket webpage.
WHAT
Notice to file written comments on commission Equity Docket.
WHO
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
WHEN AND WHERE
File all written comments by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28.
Submit written comments through the UTC’s website at www.utc.wa.gov/e-filing or contact records@utc.wa.gov for more information.
Written comments must include:
- Docket Number (Docket A-230217).
- Your name, including any organization you are representing.
- The title and date of the comment or comments.
BACKGROUND
In 2023, Commissioners and staff at UTC began implementing a multi-year plan to help address energy justice and integrate equity work throughout commission procedures.
The equity docket provides resources for regulated energy companies to help them create equity action plans and increase collaboration with impacted communities throughout processes. Through this work, regulated companies will assist in developing guidance for creating equitable solutions for customers and communities.
The project includes four phases to explore distributional, procedural, recognition, and restorative justice. The project is scheduled to finish in 2025. The first phase explores procedural justice. During this phase, staff and interested parties will focus on analyzing decision-making processes to help ensure that proceedings are fair and inclusive for participants.
Final products will include a UTC equity policy statement and action plans. The outcomes of the equity docket work and the policy statement will be applied and adapted to other regulated industries in the future.
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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