PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
COMMISSION
Subject of Possible Rule Making: This rule making would consider possible corrections and clarifications to selected sections of chapter 480-93 WAC, Gas companies -- Safety, rules governing natural gas pipeline operators, specifically WAC 480-93-005(18), 480-93-017, 480-93-178, 480-93-200 (1)(e), and 480-93-200 (6)(c). The rule making has been assigned Docket No. PG-050933.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 80.01.040(4), 80.04.160, and 80.28.210.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Since the rules in chapter 480-93 WAC, Gas companies -- Safety, became effective June 2, 2005, stakeholders and agency staff have identified a variety of issues that suggest that the commission review certain rules relating to gas pipeline operations in chapter 480-93 WAC. This rule making would consider possible corrections, changes, and clarifications to WAC 480-93-005(18), 480-93-017, 480-93-178, 480-93-200 (1)(e), and 480-93-200 (6)(c).
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study; and the commission will ask for initial comments, and will provide the opportunity for additional comments.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested persons may file comments with the Secretary, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, P.O. Box 47250, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA 98504-7250, phone (360) 664-1174, fax (360) 586-1150, by Friday, August 26, 2005.
WRITTEN COMMENTS AND STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP: Written comments may be submitted to the commission at the address given above and should be filed with the commission no later than August 26, 2005.
Electronic copies. The commission requests that comments be provided in electronic format to enhance public access, for ease of providing comments, to reduce the need for paper copies, and to facilitate quotations from the comments. Comments may be submitted by electronic mail to the commission's records center at records@wutc.wa.gov. Please include:
• The docket number of this proceeding (PG-050933).
• The commenting party's name.
• The title and date of the comment or comments.
An alternative method for submitting comments may be by mailing/delivering an electronic copy on a 3 1/2 inch, IBM-formatted, high-density disk, in .pdf Adobe Acrobat format or in Word 97 or later. Include all of the information requested above. The commission will post on the commission's web site all comments that are provided in electronic format. The web site is located at http://www.wutc.wa.gov/050933. If you are unable to file your comments electronically or to submit them on a disk, the commission will always accept a paper document.
Opportunity for further comment is anticipated. Information about the schedule and other aspects of the rule making, including comments, will be posted on the commission's web site as it becomes available. If you wish to receive further information on this rule making you may (1) call the commission's records center at (360) 664-1234, (2) e-mail the commission at <records@wutc.wa.gov>, or (3) mail written comments to the address above to the attention of Carole J. Washburn, Secretary. When contacting the commission, please refer to Docket No. PG-050933 to ensure that you are placed on the appropriate service list. Questions may be addressed to Sondra Walsh, (360) 664-1286 or e-mail at swalsh@wutc.wa.gov.
August 3, 2005
Carole J. Washburn
Executive Secretary