Subject of Possible Rule Making: On November 7, 2006, Washington voters approved Initiative Measure No. I-937, now codified as chapter 19.285 RCW. This new chapter concerns requirements for new energy resources, and requires large utilities to obtain 15% of their electricity from new renewable resources such as solar and wind by the year 2020 and to undertake cost-effective energy conservation. The subject of this inquiry is to consider whether the utilities and transportation commission (UTC) should propose new or modified regulations to implement the provisions of chapter 19.285 RCW. This inquiry may lead to proposed amendments to existing rules including, without limitations, chapter 480-100 WAC.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 80.01.040, 80.04.160, and 19.285.080(1).

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 19.285.080 provides that the UTC "may adopt rules to ensure the proper implementation and enforcement of this chapter as it applies to investor-owned utilities." The UTC's initial review of the new chapter and consultation with several interested parties indicates that the UTC should initiate this inquiry to examine whether new rules should be proposed, whether amendments should be proposed to existing rules, or whether no action respecting rules is necessary.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Public utilities not jurisdictional to the UTC are required by chapter 19.285 RCW to acquire minimum amounts of conservation and renewable resources. RCW 19.285.080(2) requires the department of community, trade and economic development (CTED) to adopt certain rules that will apply to such public utilities. The UTC welcomes CTED's participation in this inquiry as an interested person. If practical and convenient, the UTC may conduct joint workshops with CTED on certain subjects pertinent to this inquiry.

     Process for Developing New Rule: The UTC's official notice of this inquiry will indicate the date by which the UTC wishes to receive initial written comments and the date, time and location of an initial workshop. The UTC may provide the opportunity for additional written comments and/or for participation in additional workshops, if needed.

     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 Executive 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 5:00 p.m., Monday, February 26, 2007.

     WRITTEN COMMENTS: Written comments may be submitted to the commission at the address given above and should be filed with the commission no later than February 26, 2007.

     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 e-mail to the commission's records center at records@wutc.wa.gov. Please include:

•	The docket number of this proceeding (UE-061895).
•	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 www.wutc.wa.gov/061895. 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 UE-061895 to ensure that you are placed on the appropriate service list. Questions may be addressed to Nicolas Garcia, (360) 664-1346 or e-mail at ngarcia@wutc.wa.gov.

January 24, 2007

Carole J. Washburn

Executive Secretary

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