WSR 12-18-074

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION

COMMISSION

[ Docket TC-121328 -- Filed September 5, 2012, 8:46 a.m. ]

     Subject of Possible Rule Making: The utilities and transportation commission (commission or UTC) commences this inquiry to consider amending chapter 480-30 WAC to allow flexibility in setting rates and promote competition in the auto transportation industry.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 81.04.160, 81.04.250, 81.68.030, and 81.68.040. The UTC believes the executive order and the office of financial management instructions allow this rule making because it is in response to industry requests for rate flexibility.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 81.04.250 allows the commission to use any standard, formula, method, or theory of valuation reasonably calculated to arrive at the objective of prescribing and authorizing just and reasonable rates. RCW 81.68.040 allows the commission to issue a certificate to a company if it meets the public convenience and necessity standard. If there is an incumbent, the commission may only issue a certificate to the applicant if the incumbent company does not object, or the commission determines that the incumbent will not provide service to the satisfaction of the commission. The auto transportation companies have requested that the commission provide more flexibility to the companies in setting rates. Given the level of competition among passenger transportation providers in the state; the commission believes that the current method of strict economic regulation of rates and entry of auto transportation providers may no longer be effective or efficient in serving the public. The commission proposes to develop a rule that will authorize rate flexibility in concert with opening the market to increased competition.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule:       Negotiated rule making; and the commission will ask for initial comments and will provide the opportunity to provide 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 Executive Director and Secretary, UTC, P.O. Box 47250, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA 98504-7250, phone (360) 664-1174, fax (360) 586-1150, e-mail records@utc.wa.gov, or through the UTC web portal www.utc.wa.gov/e-filing by Monday, October 8, 2012.

     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 5:00 p.m., Monday, October 8, 2012.

     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 via the commission's web portal www.utc.wa.gov/e-filing or by electronic mail to the commission's records center records@utc.wa.gov. Please include:


• The docket number of this proceeding: TC-121328.
• 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.utc.wa.gov/121328. 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@utc.wa.gov>, or (3) mail written comments to the address above to the attention of David W. Danner, executive director and secretary. When contacting the commission, please refer to Docket TC-121328 to ensure that you are placed on the appropriate service list. Questions may be addressed to Ann Rendahl at (360) 664-1144 or via e-mail at arendahl@utc.wa.gov.

NOTICE


     TO CONTINUE RECEIVING NOTICES AND INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RULE MAKING -- The commission wants to ensure its mailings are sent to persons who are interested in the topic and want to receive that information. ANY PERSON WHO COMMENTS will continue to receive notices and information. If you do not submit comments but wish to remain on the mailing list for this rule making, please advise the records center by any one of the following methods: (1) Send a note with your name, address (or a copy of your mailing label), and telephone and fax numbers referencing Docket TC-121328, and the words "Please keep me on the mailing list"; or (2) e-mail your name, address, telephone and fax numbers, referencing Docket TC-121328, and the words "Please keep me on the mailing list" to records@utc.wa.gov. Please note that all information in the mailings will be accessible through the commission's internet web site http://www.utc.wa.gov/121328. THOSE INTERESTED PERSONS WHO DO NOT RESPOND MAY NOT RECEIVE FURTHER MAILINGS OR INFORMATION ON THE RULE MAKING.

September 5, 2012

David W. Danner

Executive Director and Secretary