Washington UTC Consumer News
News for consumers from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (beta)
- State to hold two public meetings on proposal to close Hickox Rd. railroad crossing in Mount Vernon
- State approves lower-than-requested rate hike for Avista’s electric and natural gas customers
New rates go into effect Jan. 1 - State approves Puget Sound Energy’s request to raise rates to cover power-supply costs
New rates take effect Sept. 1 - State regulators conditionally approve plan to give Qwest more pricing flexibility
Qwest Alternative Form of Regulation news release - Verizon local phone rates increase
- Washington state leads nation in households connected to the telephone network
- State regulators approve utilities’ requests to end federal power credit on customers’ bills
- Commission cuts natural gas rates for customers of three companies in Washington
PGA approval - Commission approves cut in natural-gas bills for Puget Sound Energy’s customers
purchased gas adjustment - Water Company Surcharges
Frequently ask questions about surcharges by UTC regulated water companies - July 2007 News & Views
Quarterly Newsletter - UTC ok's $1.25 million public purpose fund from Verizon-MCI merger
Settlement conditions help ensure that merger is in the public interest. Docket No. 050814 - Commission adopts new rules eliminating price lists for telecommunications companies
Changes in Telecommunications price list requirements. - Surge Suppression
General Info on How to Protect Against Electrical Surges - April 2007 News & Views
Quarterly Newsletter - UTC to review Puget Sound Energy general rate increase
Commission will decide on PSE request for $148.8 million in additional electricity revenues, $51.3 million in gas. Docket Nos. 060266, 060267 - State regulators’ decision postpones need for additional area code in Eastern Washington
509 area code expected to last until at least 2011 - UTC report of utilities' performance during December 2006 windstorms
Windstorm report 2007 - State penalizes Puget Sound Energy $995,000 for illegal release of private customer data
Sharing customer information with outside marketing firm violates privacy rules - State regulators suspend, fine Lynnwood moving company for fraudulent sales-tax collection
- UTC staff & PSE reach settlement on customer privacy investigation
Press Release for Oct. 5, 2006 - Gas Line Location Exemption From Public Disclosure
Pipeline Safety - Interest rates on customer deposits held by utilities
Interest rate that regulated utilities must pay on customer deposits - UTC Quarterly News & Views (January 2007)
Quarterly Newsletter - Local Calling Areas
Explanation of local calling and extended area service - Managing Your Electric and Natural Gas Bills
Billing Tips - Open Meetings - How you can get involved
Open Meeting Process - Wireless calls to Mexico to Cost More
Consumer Alert - Commission Defers Investigation of Alleged Release of Phone Records to NSA
Release of Private Phone Records - PSE's Natural Gas Rate Increase Approved
PSE's PGA - Electricity Costs to Increase
Energy bills to rise after BPA reduces credit to investor-owned utilities - Cingular Wireless Offers Lifeline Plan
Low Income Program Offered by Cingular - Give Your Appliances a Vacation Too
Energy Saving and Safety Tips - How to participate in an Open Meeting over the Phone
Instructions on using the UTC's Conference Bridge Line during an Open Meeting - UTC's Water Conservation Resources
Consumer page bringing together information on water conservation - UTC holds June 29 public meeting in Renton on PSE rate hike request
Commission hears customer comments on PSE's proposed rate increase - Alternate Burton Water rates approved April 27, 2006
Company serving Vashon Island originally proposed a 4% increase. Docket No. 060167 - UTC opens household goods mover complaint
Commission staff suggests $25,500 fine against Boots, Inc., d/b/a Brooks A & A Moving, for repeated violations. Docket No. 060855 - Canterwood Water rate request set for hearing
UTC staff will investigate demand and revenue impact of water conservation rate design. Docket No. 040651 - Commission completes review of Avista least cost enegy plan
Eastern WA utility plan describes low-cost energy supplies to meet expected demand. Docket No. 051325 - Commission funds to help low-income families pay winter energy bills
Legislature uses $7.6 million from UTC to help pay energy bills this winter. - Commission fines charter-bus company for operating illegally
Elite Charters fined for carrying passengers after permit was canceled - Avista's Least Cost Plan
Commission sets special public meeting on how utility will plan for low-cost energy supplies. Docket No. 051325 - Public Comments
Provided info on new electronic public comment form - Energy Cost Saving Tips
Web Site Addressing Energy Saving Ideas - UTC News &