Subject of Possible Rule Making: This rule making will address changes to chapter 480-109 WAC. These changes include amendments to clarify or streamline the rules, incorporate changes to the Energy Independence Act (EIA) found in chapter 288, Laws of 2019, which were passed as E2SSB 5116, portions of which are now codified in chapter 19.405 RCW, and changes from chapter 315, Laws of 2017, which were found in ESB 5128. This notice includes an initial set of draft rule language to most efficiently consider these statutory and select other changes.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The commission adopted its existing EIA rules on March 12, 2015, by General Order R-578 in Docket UE-131723, promulgated as chapter 480-109 WAC. Since that time the legislature amended the EIA statute in the 2017 and 2019 legislative sessions, and the statute now includes provisions and legislative intent that are not explicitly addressed in the commission's rules. Furthermore, regulated companies' changing resource portfolios have identified areas of the rules needing revision to better address recent advances and needs within the Washington energy industry. Additionally, the commission's experience in administering EIA rules since 2015 has provided insight into opportunities for improving those processes.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The commission will coordinate with the state of Washington department of commerce by sharing drafts, communicating informally, and attending commerce workshops on the same subject.

Process for Developing New Rule: The utilities and transportation commission employs a collaborative rule-making process that may consist of stakeholder workshops, formal comments, and draft rule reviews.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Executive Director and Secretary, P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250, phone 360-664-1234, email records@utc.wa.gov, website https://www.utc.wa.gov/e-filing.