Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission public meetings in 2024

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is meeting to consider multiple tariff revisions that would adjust utility rates for electricity, natural gas, and solid waste collection. These include increases for Puget Sound Energy and Avista electricity customers, decreases for natural gas customers due to cap-and-invest programs, and numerous garbage rate adjustments across counties to reflect higher disposal fees. The agenda also includes consent items such as pipeline safety requests and a petition for Lifeline service designation.

• Puget Sound Energy: Colstrip Adjustment Rider increase of $4.1M (0.14%) effective Jan 1, 2025; typical residential bill +$0.18/month
• Avista: Colstrip Tracker increase of $18M (2.7%); typical residential bill +$4.47/month (4.1%)
• Puget Sound Energy: Greenhouse Gas Cap and Invest Adjustment decrease of $61M; typical residential bill -$3.51/month
• Northwest Natural: CCA adjustment decrease of $1.6M; typical residential bill -$5.80/month (6.9%)
• Harold LeMay Enterprises: garbage rate increase of ~$1.1M (2.49%) for Pierce County customers

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved tariff revisions for Puget Sound Energy, Avista, and others, with rates effective January 1, 2025, subject to refund pending hearings. It also allowed several rate changes to take effect by operation of law, including for Northwest Natural Gas and Harold LeMay Enterprises. The consent agenda was approved unanimously.

• Approved consent agenda (3-0)
• Approved PSE Colstrip rate increase of $4.1M, subject to refund, set for hearing (3-0)
• Approved Avista Colstrip rate increase of $18M, subject to refund, set for adjudication (3-0)
• Approved PSE greenhouse gas cost recovery, subject to refund, set for hearing (3-0)
• Took no action on Northwest Natural Gas rate decrease, allowing it to take effect by law
• Took no action on Harold LeMay rate increase, allowing it to take effect by law
• Approved transportation tariff revisions (3-0)
• Granted Arrow Launch Service petition to defer repower costs and set surcharge (3-0)

• Petition for Accounting Order
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Petition for Accounting Order

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will review wildfire mitigation plans from PacifiCorp, Puget Sound Energy, and Avista Corporation. The agenda also includes consent items such as tariff revisions and petitions for highway-rail crossings, and several no-action items.

• Wildfire mitigation plan review for PacifiCorp (UE-240831), Puget Sound Energy (UE-240832), Avista (UE-240836)
• Yakima Waste Systems tariff revision to add ~$196,200 annual revenue due to increased disposal fees (TG-240801)
• Petitions for grade-separated crossings at Pines Road (Spokane Valley) and Lewis Street (Pasco)
• Copalis Rocks Mutual Benefit Association petition for deregulation (UW-240899)
• Waste Control tariff revision adding service to Item 160 (TG-240931)

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission unanimously approved the consent agenda and confirmed that the electric utility Wildfire Mitigation Plans submitted by PacifiCorp, Puget Sound Energy, and Avista Corporation meet statutory requirements. The votes were 3-0 for each confirmation.

• Approved consent agenda (3-0)
• Confirmed PacifiCorp wildfire mitigation plan meets requirements (3-0)
• Confirmed Puget Sound Energy wildfire mitigation plan meets requirements (3-0)
• Confirmed Avista Corporation wildfire mitigation plan meets requirements (3-0)

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

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will hold an open meeting to consider several utility and transportation matters, including petitions for rate increases, a request to classify biodiesel as a renewable resource, and a designation for Lifeline service. The agenda also includes consent items and informational filings with no action expected.

• Goldfinch Energy Storage LLC petition to classify biodiesel from Chevron's Grays Harbor facility as a renewable resource under RCW 19.405.020(33)(h)
• TruConnect Communications petition to become an Eligible Telecommunication Carrier for Lifeline service in Washington
• East Side Improvement Co. rate increase request: ~$41,200 (69.4%) for water service to ~45 customers in Kittitas County
• Pullman Disposal Service rate increase request: ~$710,000 (12.7%) for solid waste collection in Whitman County
• Excess Disposal rate increase request: ~$515,000 (33%) originally, ~$402,000 (25.9%) after staff review, for water service in Pend Oreille County

• Tariff Revision
• Petition for Exemption
• Petition for Exemption
• Petition for Exemption
• Plan
• Petition for Exemption
• Petition for Exemption
• Petition for Exemption

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will hold an open meeting to consider utility requests, including Avista's proposed tariff revision that would raise natural gas revenues by $27.6 million (9.14%) and increase typical residential bills by $8.52 per month, with a credit for low-income customers. The commission will also hear Puget Sound Energy's petition to reduce its Clean Energy Implementation Plan interim targets for 2024 and 2025 to 48% each year. Several other items are on the consent agenda or listed as no-action, including rate adjustments and a PFAS update deferred to a recessed meeting on November 18.

• Avista tariff revision to add Schedule 163, increasing revenues by $27.6 million (9.14%) and typical residential bills by $8.52/month (8.4%)
• Puget Sound Energy petition to reduce Clean Energy Implementation Plan interim targets to 48% for 2024 and 2025
• Avista annual purchased gas adjustment to decrease revenues by $74.5 million (24.6%), reducing typical residential bills by $24.33/month (24.1%)
• Avista low-income rate assistance program funding increase of $6.8 million (2.3%), raising typical residential bills by $2.69/month (2.7%)
• Puget Sound Energy tariff revisions to transfer $42.3 million and $17.8 million between rate schedules, not a rate increase

• Petition for Accounting Order
• Staff Investigation
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Special Presentation

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will hold an open meeting to consider several utility rate changes and other items. Key items include a proposed rate increase for Avista's Clean Energy Implementation Plan, a general rate increase for Waste Management in King and Snohomish counties, and multiple natural gas cost adjustments from Cascade, Northwest Natural, and Puget Sound Energy. The meeting also includes consent items for smaller tariff revisions and a request for grade crossing safety funding.

• Avista CEIP tariff increase: $0.39/month for average residential customer (0.4%)
• Waste Management general rate increase: ~$5.95M annually (7.6%) for 115,000 customers in King/Snohomish counties
• Cascade Natural Gas purchased gas adjustment: $50.1M increase (14.6%), $9.78/month for average residential customer
• Puget Sound Energy purchased gas adjustment: $124.4M increase (10.8%), $8.97/month for average residential customer
• Avista low-income assistance true-up: $15.3M increase, $2.58/month for average residential customer

• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Application for Funding
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Petition
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision

Open Meeting

The Commission will consider PacifiCorp's petition to defer a previously approved rate increase from March 19 to April 3, 2024. Consent items include a pipeline proximity request, a 911 tax rate petition, and a solid waste plan. No action items include tariff revisions by Puget Sound Energy.

• PacifiCorp petition to defer rate increase (UE-240185)
• Cascade Natural Gas pipeline pressure request (PG-240575)
• 911 state excise tax rate for 2025 (UT-240629)
• Adams County solid waste plan comments (TG-240642)
• Puget Sound Energy tariff revisions (UE-240683, UG-240701)

• Petition for Accounting Order
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Proximity Request
• Petition
• Plan
• Special Project

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will consider several utility rate filings, including major power cost adjustments for Puget Sound Energy and PacifiCorp that would affect residential bills. The meeting also includes rate increase requests for water and waste companies, plus consent items on accounting and tariff changes.

• PSE Power Cost Adjuster: $22.2M rebate for 2023, $98.2M surcharge for 2024, $76M balance amortized over 15 months; typical residential bill +$2.31 (2.11%) Oct-Dec 2024, -$0.48 (0.44%) Oct-Dec 2025
• PacifiCorp Power Cost Adjustment: $84.5M (20%) revenue increase, typical residential bill +$23.57 (17.7%) per month
• Avista Energy Recovery Mechanism: $15.8M power cost deferral and $1.2M Solar Select rebate for 2023
• Summit View Water Works rate increase: ~$514,000 (54%) additional annual revenue for 630 domestic and 680 irrigation customers in Benton County
• Yakima Waste Systems rate increase: ~$934,000 (5.7%) additional annual revenue for solid waste collection in Yakima County

• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Petition
• Tariff Revision
• Petition for Accounting Order
• Petition

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will consider a Puget Sound Energy tariff revision to expand solar incentives and add a new solar credit service, and will review annual certifications for high-cost telecommunications carriers receiving $70 million in federal support. The meeting also includes a petition from Northwest Natural Gas for deferred accounting of demand response costs and a Waste Management Spokane tariff adjustment.

• Puget Sound Energy tariff revision (UE-240565) to expand Schedule 667 solar purchases and add Schedule 686 for solar credits
• Annual review of high-cost telecom carriers' certifications (UT-240015) for $70 million in 2023 federal support
• Northwest Natural Gas petition (UG-240441) for deferred accounting of demand response program costs
• Waste Management Spokane tariff revision (TG-240668) reducing multi-family recycling compactor charge by $3.21

• Eligible Telecommunications Carrier
• Tariff Revision
• Petition for Accounting Order

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is reviewing multiple requests for general rate increases from solid waste collection companies in Thurston, Mason, and Clark counties. Additionally, the body is considering tariff revisions for electric utilities, including changes to PacifiCorp's conservation charges and Puget Sound Energy's solar credit programs. The agenda also includes petitions for rural broadband funding and annual renewable energy reports.

• Harold LeMay Enterprises requests a 4.05% rate increase (~$1.4M) for Thurston County waste services
• Mason County Garbage Co. requests a 6.73% rate increase (~$666,600) for Mason County waste services
• Waste Connections of Washington requests a 7.1% rate increase (~$2.2M) for Clark County waste services
• PacifiCorp proposes a $1.51 monthly bill increase for residential customers to fund conservation and demand response
• Puget Sound Energy proposes expanding solar credit availability and removing minimum project size restrictions

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved a PacifiCorp tariff revision increasing revenue by ~$3 million, raising average residential bills by $1.51/month, with conditions excluding demand response interest and FTE recovery. It also ordered Puget Sound Energy to continue low-income service through December 1, 2024, and to provide customer notices, while allowing three solid waste rate increases to take effect by operation of law.

• Approved PacifiCorp tariff revision (UE-240393) with conditions (3-0)
• Ordered PSE to continue low-income service through Dec 1, 2024 (UG-230470) (3-0)
• Designated Island Network as ETC for RDOF support (UT-240182) (3-0)
• Designated Inland Cellular as ETC for RDOF support (UT-240485) (3-0)
• Allowed Harold LeMay rate increase to take effect (TG-240468) (no action)
• Allowed Mason County Garbage rate increase to take effect (TG-240484) (no action)
• Allowed Waste Connections rate increase to take effect (TG-240494) (no action)

• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Staff Investigation
• Petition
• Staff Investigation
• Tariff Revision

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is meeting to discuss and potentially act on biennial conservation reports from major utilities, covering energy savings and costs. The agenda also includes consent items such as a grade crossing petition and a filing extension, plus several no-action tariff revisions and contracts.

• Puget Sound Energy electric conservation report: 515,443 MWh saved at $209.5M
• Puget Sound Energy gas conservation report: 9,126,934 therms saved at $52.3M
• Avista electric conservation report: 84,827 MWh saved at $38.9M
• City of Bingen petition for grade separated crossing at Juniper Street
• Rocket Transportation tariff revision: 5% increase for flexible fares

• Plan
• Plan
• Plan
• Plan
• Plan
• Petition
• Plan
• Plan

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will hold an open meeting to discuss and potentially act on several utility matters. These include petitions from Ziply to be designated as eligible telecommunications carriers, a proposed water rate increase for Red Mountain Water Association, and multiple tariff revisions for garbage and recycling services. The meeting also includes consent items and informational filings with no action expected.

• Red Mountain Water Association seeks 27.6% rate increase (~$17,907 annually) for 85 customers near Richland
• San Juan Sanitation Co. requests 2.7% rate increase (~$54,604) to cover higher disposal fees
• Rabanco Ltd. requests recycling fee decreases for customers in Snohomish, King counties
• PacifiCorp filing increases low-income bill assistance surcharge by ~$22 million annually
• Avista decoupling filings increase electric and gas rates for residential customers

• Staff Investigation
• Tariff Revision
• Staff Investigation
• Petition
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Petition
• Tariff Revision

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is reviewing a proposed general rate increase for Solmar Water System Inc. in Clallam County, which would generate approximately $11,200 in additional annual revenue. The agenda also includes requests to withdraw several highway-rail grade crossing petitions by the Port of Moses Lake and the City of Richland. Additionally, Puget Sound Energy is seeking deferred accounting treatment for increased regulatory fees under Senate Bill 5189.

• Solmar Water System Inc. proposed general rate increase generating ~$11,200 annual revenue for 321 customers in Clallam County
• Port of Moses Lake requested withdrawal of five petitions for highway-rail grade crossings at Graham, Tyndall, Forbes, Randolph, and Turner Roads
• City of Richland requested withdrawal of petition to modify highway-rail grade crossing at Steptoe Street
• Puget Sound Energy petitioned for deferred accounting treatment for costs associated with Senate Bill 5189 regulatory fee increase
• Waste Management of Washington requested tariff revisions for bear-resistant containers and corrected a clerical error regarding the Environmental Programs charge

• Tariff Revision
• Petition for Accounting Order
• Petition
• Petition for Accounting Order
• Petition
• Petition
• Petition
• Tariff Revision

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will consider utility rate increases, tariff revisions, and waiver petitions. Key items include PacifiCorp's revised supply and demand forecast under the Climate Commitment Act, proposed water rate increases for Roche Harbor and East Side Improvement, and several consent items including a temporary climate cost pass-through for Cascade Natural Gas. The meeting also includes no-action items such as line extension contracts and fare increases.

• PacifiCorp petition for revised supply and demand forecast under Climate Commitment Act (UE-220789)
• Roche Harbor Water System proposed 13.4% rate increase (~$89,000 annually) for 634 customers in Friday Harbor (UW-240203)
• East Side Improvement Co. surcharge of $26.09/month for irrigation screen repairs, generating $14,089 (29%) annually (UW-240294)
• Cascade Natural Gas tariff to pass through $20.55M CCA compliance costs, raising average residential bill by $1.12/month (UG-240141)
• Five-year waivers for Avista, Puget Sound Energy, and PacifiCorp from RPS reporting requirements

• Petition for Exemption
• Tariff Revision
• Petition for Exemption
• Petition for Exemption
• Petition
• Fuel Surcharge Tariff
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is meeting to discuss Starlink's petition to relinquish its eligible telecommunications carrier designation and its notice of cessation of service in the state. The commission will also consider a consent agenda that includes a 19% rate increase for Rocket Transportation LLC and several water line extension contracts for Washington Water Service Company.

• Starlink Services, LLC petition to relinquish ETC designation (UT-210059)
• Starlink Services, LLC notice of cessation of service in Washington (UT-240148)
• Rocket Transportation LLC general rate increase generating ~$227,900 annually (TC-230964)
• Washington Water Service Company line extensions for water mains on Firdrona Dr. NW, 204th St. East, 208th St. E, and 11624 133rd St NW (UW-240137, UW-240142, UW-240174, UW-240197)
• Puget Sound Energy tariff revisions to reflect Puyallup city tax increase from 3.2% to 4.2% (UE-240170, UG-240171)

• Petition
• Cessation of Service

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is reviewing multiple utility rate changes and accounting petitions. Key decisions include a 25% increase for medical waste collection and a new Climate Commitment Act surcharge for gas customers. The agenda also covers water rate increases and various waste disposal fee adjustments.

• Stericycle of Washington Inc. requests a 25% general rate increase generating ~$2.9 million in additional annual revenue for medical waste services.
• Avista Corporation proposes a temporary Climate Commitment Act (CCA) surcharge, increasing typical residential bills by $3.27 per month (3.5%).
• Summit View Water Works requests a general rate increase generating approximately $206,357 in additional annual revenue for water services near Kennewick.
• Washington Water Supply, Inc. proposes a $10 monthly surcharge to recover well rehabilitation expenses on the Echo Glenn water system in Maple Valley.
• Murrey's Disposal Company, Inc. requests tariff revisions generating ~$411,000 in additional annual revenue to recover increased disposal fees in King County.

• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Fuel Surcharge Tariff
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is scheduled to review three tariff revisions filed by Asotin Telephone Company, Lewis River Telephone Company, and McDaniel Telephone Co. Each proposal seeks to remove the existing 10-month maximum limit on service suspension, allowing customers to suspend their service for any length of time. The agenda lists these items under the Utilities section with an effective date of February 9, 2024.

• Asotin Telephone Company revises Tariff WN U-3 to remove the 10-month maximum suspension period
• Lewis River Telephone Company, Inc. revises Tariff WN U-2 to remove the 10-month maximum suspension period
• McDaniel Telephone Co. revises Tariff WN U-4 to remove the 10-month maximum suspension period

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will consider a petition from Lumen to reclassify its CenturyLink ILECs as competitively classified, which would override the current Alternative Form of Regulation. The meeting also includes several tariff revisions for water and waste companies, including rate increases and corrections, and a securities filing from Avista Corporation.

• Lumen petition to classify CenturyLink ILECs as competitive (UT-240029)
• Lakeland Village Water Company surcharge of $1.10/month for 10 years or $81.39 one-time (UW-231047)
• Pellegrini garbage rate increase in Okanogan County: $167,000 (7.7%) (TG-231026)
• Avista Corporation to issue up to $300,000,000 in debt securities (U-240011)
• Multiple waste disposal rate increases due to higher Cedar Grove fees (TG-231015, TG-231017, etc.)

• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision
• Fuel Surcharge Tariff
• Tariff Revision
• Tariff Revision

Open Meeting

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is reviewing a proposed tariff revision for Washington Water Supply, Inc., which would add a $60 monthly surcharge to 42 customers on the Echo Glenn water system in Maple Valley to recover costs from well issues and high summer usage. The agenda also lists several utility conservation plans and tariff revisions, but notes that the major Puget Sound Energy and Avista Corporation items are scheduled for a later hearing on January 17, 2024.

• Washington Water Supply, Inc. proposes a $60/month surcharge for the Echo Glenn water system in Maple Valley, generating an estimated $13,700 annually.
• Puget Sound Energy's Electric Biennial Conservation Plan for 2024-2025 proposes a $246 million budget to achieve 398,000 megawatt-hours of savings (hearing deferred to Jan 17).
• Avista Corporation's Electric Biennial Conservation Plan for 2024-2025 proposes a $46.7 million budget to achieve 66.5 thousand megawatt-hours of savings (hearing deferred to Jan 17).
• The Rock Transportation Services Corporation requests a 5 percent increase for flexible fares in Tariff No. 6.
• Washington Water Service Company filed a contract to complete a water main tap and extension on Point Fosdick Dr. NW in Pierce County.

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