Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission public meetings in 2020

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is reviewing a general rate filing for Basin Water Sources, Inc. that proposes a 43 percent increase in rates for approximately 385 customers near Moses Lake. The agenda also includes consent items for various waste management companies to adjust recycling and disposal fees in King, Snohomish, and other counties to recover increased disposal costs. Additionally, the body will consider tariff revisions for Puget Sound Energy and Northwest Natural Gas Company.

• Basin Water Sources, Inc. proposes a 43 percent rate increase, raising the average customer bill by $9.62.
• Waste Management of Washington, Inc. requests a $0.14 monthly increase for residential recycling customers in King County.
• Waste Connections of Washington, Inc. seeks to recover approximately $123,000 in additional annual revenue due to increased disposal fees in Clark County.
• Puget Sound Energy proposes a 41-cent monthly bill increase for the average residential customer to credit federal Treasury Grant benefits.
• Mason County Garbage Co., Inc. requests tariff revisions to recover increased disposal fees, generating approximately $14,600 in additional annual revenue.

The Commission approved a general rate filing and tariff update for Basin Water Sources, Inc. The change will result in an annual revenue increase of approximately $46,000. The revised tariff pages will become effective January 1, 2021.

• Approved consent agenda (3-0)
• Allowed Basin Water Sources, Inc. tariff pages to become effective January 1, 2021

• Tariff Revision
• Petition for Exemption
• Voluntary Cancellation
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is scheduled to vote on seven petitions from electric and gas utilities to approve the deferral of costs and benefits associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency. The agenda also includes consent items for rate changes, insurance exemptions, and a settlement regarding pipeline inspections. No action items are listed for transportation or other categories.

• PacifiCorp, Avista, Puget Sound Energy, Northwest Natural Gas, and Cascade Natural Gas filed petitions to defer COVID-19 emergency costs.
• Cascade Natural Gas proposed a stipulated agreement to resolve issues from 2013 high-pressure pipeline inspections in Longview, Bellingham, and Kennewick districts.
• Avista Corporation proposed revising Tariff WN U-28 to update estimated avoided costs for small power production and cogeneration.
• VanderYacht Propane, Singh Bros. Trucking, and DSR Deliveries petitioned for exemptions from state insurance rules to use surplus lines insurance.
• Puget Sound Energy’s 2021 Electric Annual Conservation Plan aims to acquire 209,000 megawatt-hours of savings for $102.7 million.

The Commission approved petitions from multiple utility providers to use deferred accounting for costs and benefits related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Some requests were granted in full, while others were granted in part with specific denials regarding interest or labor costs.

• Approved consent agenda (3:0)
• Granted in part PacifiCorp petition for COVID-19 cost deferral; denied request to accrue interest (3:0)
• Approved Avista Corporation petition for COVID-19 cost deferral (3:0)
• Granted in part Puget Sound Energy petition for COVID-19 cost deferral; denied deferral of labor and unspecified 'other costs' (3:0)
• Approved Northwest Natural Gas Company petition for COVID-19 cost deferral (3:0)
• Approved Cascade Natural Gas Corporation petition for COVID-19 cost deferral (3:0)

• Petition for Accounting Order
• Petition for Exemption
• Tariff Revision
• Petition for Accounting Order
• Staff Investigation
• Petition for Accounting Order
• Petition for Accounting Order
• Petition for Accounting Order

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is reviewing a Puget Sound Energy tariff revision that would increase revenue by $43.9 million, raising typical residential bills by $1.92 per month. The agenda also includes petitions from 20 rural telephone companies seeking support from the state universal communications services program. Additionally, the Commission is considering a petition from Zippy Disposal for a four-month extension to file recycling tariff revisions.

• Puget Sound Energy proposes a $43.9 million revenue increase (2.1%) via Tariff WN U-60, Schedule 95.
• 20 rural telephone companies, including Skyline Telecom and Whidbey Telephone, petition for state universal communications services support.
• Zippy Disposal requests a four-month extension to file tariff revisions for its Chelan County recycling program.
• Nooksack Valley Disposal proposes a $0.20 monthly increase to residential recycling rates in Whatcom County.
• Waste Management North Sound, Marysville, corrects a rate error, decreasing 96-gallon garbage service from $37.37 to $36.36.

The Commission approved the distribution of $6,078,083 to multiple telecommunications companies. It also granted limited exemptions to Avista Corporation and allowed a Puget Sound Energy tariff revision to take effect.

• Approved consent agenda (3-0)
• Allowed Puget Sound Energy tariff revision to become effective Dec 1, 2020 (no action taken)
• Granted limited one-time exemptions to Avista Corporation for electric and natural gas cost of service studies (3-0)
• Suspended Avista Corporation revised tariff sheets and set matter for hearing (3-0)
• Approved distribution of $6,078,083 from state universal communications services program fund to companies in dockets A4 through A21 (3-0)

• Petition
• Petition
• Petition
• Petition
• Petition
• Petition
• Petition
• Tariff Revision

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will consider a petition from Northwest Natural Gas to extend its integrated resource plan due date from February 2021 to July 2022. The meeting also includes consent items and no-action items, such as service discontinuations and tariff revisions.

• Northwest Natural Gas petition to extend integrated resource plan deadline to July 29, 2022
• Northwest Water Services request to extend compliance deadline to November 30, 2020
• XO Communications to discontinue local and long distance services, affecting six customers in King and Spokane counties
• Puget Sound Energy tariff correction for Schedule 7A & 25 in Schedule 141X
• Methow Valley Sanitation adds 6-yard container service in Okanogan County

The Commission approved the consent agenda and granted a petition from Northwest Natural Gas Company for a temporary exemption from WAC 480-90-238(4). This action extends the due date for the company's next integrated resource plan to July 29, 2022.

• Approved consent agenda (3-0)
• Granted Northwest Natural Gas Company petition for filing extensions in Docket UG-190711 (3-0)

• Petition
• Transfer of Property

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is meeting to consider multiple tariff revisions, primarily annual purchased gas cost adjustments for natural gas utilities. These include proposed rate changes that would increase or decrease residential bills, with the largest being Puget Sound Energy's $70 million revenue increase. The commission will also review a water utility rate increase and several consent items.

• Puget Sound Energy gas rate increase of $70.0 million (7.7%), residential bill +$4.77/month
• Northwest Natural Gas increase of $3.1 million (4.8%), residential bill +$2.01/month
• Cascade Natural Gas increase of $2.7 million (1.04%), residential bill +$0.58/month
• Avista gas rate decrease of $0.2 million (0.1%), residential bill -$0.08/month
• Water of Bethel LLC rate increase of $8,015 (10%) for ~215 customers in Pierce County

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved a standard power purchase agreement for Avista Corporation on a 2-1 vote, with Commissioner Balasbas dissenting. On several purchased gas adjustment filings, the commissioners took no action, which allowed the filed tariff sheets to become effective November 1, 2020 by operation of law. These included a $0.08 average monthly residential bill decrease for Avista and increases of $2.01 for Northwest Natural Gas, $0.58 for Cascade Natural Gas, and $4.77 for Puget Sound Energy. The commission also approved the consent agenda 3-0 and let Water of Bethel and Freedom 2000 tariff revisions take effect by operation of law.

• Approved Avista standard power purchase agreement with conditions (2-1, Balasbas dissenting)
• Approved consent agenda and directed Secretary to sign necessary orders/letters (3:0)
• Took no action on Avista gas tariff UG-200717, allowing it to take effect Nov 1, 2020
• Took no action on Northwest Natural Gas tariff UG-200799, allowing it to take effect Nov 1, 2020
• Took no action on Cascade Natural Gas tariff UG-200807, allowing it to take effect Nov 1, 2020
• Took no action on Puget Sound Energy tariff UG-200832, allowing it to take effect Nov 1, 2020
• Took no action on Water of Bethel tariff UW-200767, allowing it to take effect Nov 1, 2020
• Took no action on Freedom 2000 tariff TG-180782, allowing it to take effect Jan 1, 2021

• Transfer of Property
• Petition for Accounting Order
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will hold an open meeting to discuss utility responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, review draft requests for proposals from Puget Sound Energy for demand response and all generation sources, and consider Avista Corporation's 2020 Transportation Electrification Plan. The meeting also includes consent items and no-action items, such as tariff revisions and name changes.

• Avista Corporation's 2020 Transportation Electrification Plan proposes $51.5 million in capital investments for electric vehicle supply equipment by 2030.
• Puget Sound Energy draft 2020 Request for Proposals for Demand Response (UE-200413).
• Puget Sound Energy draft 2020 Request for Proposals for All Generation Sources (UE-200414).
• Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum application for Grade Crossing Protective Fund to upgrade signage at Willapa Hills Trail crossing (USDOT 922998T).
• Puget Sound Energy tariff revision to waive annual meter performance evaluation due to COVID-19 (UG-200810).

The Commission approved a COVID-19 response term sheet for utilities and allowed Puget Sound Energy to withdraw draft requests for proposals. It also acknowledged Avista Corporation's transportation electrification plan and allowed a PSE tariff revision to take effect.

• Approved consent agenda (3-0)
• Approved COVID-19 response term sheet with added requirements for low-income communication and zip code data (3-0)
• Approved Puget Sound Energy's withdrawal of Draft RFPs for demand response and all generation sources (3-0)
• Extended PSE temporary exemptions for supply-side and demand response resources to March 31, 2021 (3-0)
• Acknowledged Avista Corporation's 2020 Transportation Electrification Plan proposing $51.5 million in EV equipment investments by 2030 (3-0)
• Took no action on Puget Sound Energy tariff revisions, allowing them to become effective October 17, 2020

• Staff Investigation
• Petition for Exemption
• Application for Funding
• Staff Investigation
• Request for Proposal
• Request for Proposal

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is reviewing petitions for exemptions, tariff revisions for waste and utility services, and annual federal high-cost support certifications. Key items include rate adjustments for recycling customers in King, Whitman, and Klickitat Counties and a review of $89 million in federal support for 34 telecommunications companies. The agenda also includes a presentation of suggestions from the COVID-19 Response Workgroup, scheduled for a virtual hearing on October 6, 2020.

• Annual review of $89 million in federal high-cost support for 34 Eligible Telecommunications Companies in Washington state.
• Bainbridge Disposal, Inc. requests a $0.60 monthly decrease for residential recycling customers on Bainbridge Island.
• Pullman Disposal Service, Inc. requests a $0.40 monthly decrease for residential recycling customers in Whitman County.
• Rabanco LTD requests an increase in drop box disposal fees at Klickitat County transfer stations from $3.32 to $5.18 per yard.
• Avista Corporation proposes tariff revisions to increase funding for electric and natural gas Low Income Rate Assistance Programs by $0.7 million and $0.4 million respectively.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved a consent agenda and granted exemptions to two telephone companies and a moving company. In a recessed session, the commission voted to extend the COVID-19 utility disconnection moratorium for residential and small commercial customers until April 30, 2021. A tariff revision for Avista Corporation was removed from the agenda to a later meeting.

• Consent agenda approved (3-0)
• Toledo Telephone Co. exemption granted (3-0)
• Pend Oreille Telephone Company exemption granted (3-0)
• Dolly, Inc. common carrier permit authorized with exemptions (3-0)
• Utility disconnection moratorium extended to April 30, 2021 (3-0)
• Avista Corporation tariff revision removed to Oct 29 meeting

• Name Change
• Transfer of Property
• Eligible Telecommunications Carrier
• Tariff Revision
• Plan
• Petition for Exemption
• Tariff Revision
• Petition for Exemption

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is meeting to discuss and potentially act on Puget Sound Energy's draft 2020 Requests for Proposals for demand response and all generation sources. The agenda also includes staff investigations into utility conservation reports and renewable portfolio standard reports, as well as several no-action items such as tariff revisions and a cessation of service notice.

• Draft 2020 RFP for Demand Response (UE-200413)
• Draft 2020 RFP for All Generation Sources (UE-200414)
• Puget Sound Energy conservation report: 547,000 MWh savings at $164 million (UE-171087)
• Avista conservation report: 99,893 MWh savings at $33.7 million (UE-171091)
• Bremerton-Kitsap Airporter tariff revision removing military discounts (TC-200761)

The Commission approved the consent agenda. It also voted to defer consideration of Puget Sound Energy's motion to withdraw two Requests for Proposal until October 15, 2020, while extending existing exemptions.

• Approved consent agenda (3-0)
• Deferred decision on Puget Sound Energy's motion to withdraw RFP for Demand Response (Docket UE-200413) to Oct. 15, 2020 (2-1)
• Deferred decision on Puget Sound Energy's motion to withdraw RFP for All Generation Sources (Docket UE-200414) to Oct. 15, 2020 (2-1)

• Staff Investigation
• Staff Investigation
• Staff Investigation
• Staff Investigation
• Staff Investigation
• Staff Investigation
• Request for Proposal
• Staff Investigation

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will hold an open meeting to consider utility and transportation matters. Key items include Avista's tariff revisions for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) opt-out service and a request from Harold LeMay Enterprises for a 6.9% general rate increase for garbage and recycling services in Lewis and Thurston Counties. The agenda also includes consent items such as PacifiCorp's power cost adjustment and several tariff revisions for tax pass-throughs.

• Avista tariff revisions for AMI opt-out service (UE-200692, UG-200693)
• Harold LeMay Enterprises rate increase request: ~$627,000 (6.9%) for garbage, recycling, yard waste in Lewis and Thurston Counties (TG-200682)
• PacifiCorp 2019 Power Cost Adjustment Mechanism: $2.1 million annual deferral, cumulative balance $9.45 million (UE-200507)
• Multiple B&O tax pass-through tariff revisions for garbage companies (e.g., Mason County Garbage, Yakima Waste Systems)
• Cascade Natural Gas waiver for Burlington municipal tax increase from 3% to 6% (UG-200683)

• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Special Project
• Telephone Number Resources

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is meeting to discuss and potentially act on several utility and transportation items. These include a petition to close a highway-rail grade crossing in Spokane Valley, draft requests for proposals from Puget Sound Energy for demand response and all generation sources, and a petition for exemption from a moving company. The agenda also lists several items for which no action is planned, such as tariff revisions and a stock sale notice.

• Petition to close highway-rail grade crossing at Flora Road, Spokane Valley (Docket TR-200262)
• Puget Sound Energy draft 2020 Request for Proposals for Demand Response (UE-200413)
• Puget Sound Energy draft 2020 Request for Proposals for All Generation Sources (UE-200414)
• Victory Moving & Labor LLC petition for exemption from 12-month reapplying requirement (TV-200679)
• Waste Control, Inc. sale of stock to Waste Connections, Inc. (TG-200624)

The commission held a virtual meeting and approved the consent agenda. No other utilities, transportation, or other items were listed for action.

• Approved consent agenda (3-0)

• Permit
• Petition
• Request for Proposal
• Request for Proposal

Open Meeting

The Commission approved the consent agenda. It took no action on a rate increase request from Stanley's Sanitary Service, L.L.C., allowing the revisions to become effective by operation of law.

• Approved consent agenda (3-0)
• Took no action on Stanley's Sanitary Service, L.L.C. rate increase, allowing it to become effective August 1, 2020

• Contract
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Staff Investigation
• Tariff Revision