HB 2831-S - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

     Provides that every electric utility must unbundle the costs of its electrical service and prepare a cost study.  "Unbundle" means to separately identify and publish costs by classification, function, and allocation as used in common cost-of-service practice.

     Provides that, by September 30, 1998, each investor-owned utility serving more than one retail customer must file a cost study with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC), which the WUTC must review in an open public meeting.

     Provides that, by September 1, 1998, each consumer-owned electric utility must submit a cost study to its governing body in an open public meeting.

     Requires that, by December 1, 1998, the WUTC and state auditor are to submit a joint report on the results of the cost studies to the Energy and Utilities Committees of the House and Senate.  The report is to include a summary of the cost studies submitted by electric utilities, and observations regarding the consistency or lack of consistency among utilities in the methods of classification, functionalization, and allocation, and in descriptions of unbundled costs.  In addition, the WUTC is to describe any issues arising from the cost studies submitted by investor-owned utilities.

     Declares that the act does not apply to a small utility, unless the governing body of the utility determines the utility should comply with the bill's provisions.