Washington UTC Consumer News
News for consumers from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (beta)

• 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 & Views - February 2006
  Quarterly Newsletter
• UTC reviewing rail safety grant proposals
  Grants will go to projects that increase rail safety throughout Washington. Docket No. 051633
• Fact Sheet on Energy Situation
  Answers to f