SB 6006-S.E - DIGEST

(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 3/18/97)

     Finds that:  (1) The electric utility industry is undergoing fundamental change as a result of federal legislation and regulatory decisions that require utilities to provide other users with nondiscriminatory access to transmission lines;

     (2) it is in the interest of all Washington consumers to develop a state-wide framework that is compatible with federal developments.  The goal of this new structure is to provide competitive electricity service, while maintaining existing reliability, to all of the state's residents and businesses;

     (3) the state should take the first steps toward providing an orderly transition to more competitive markets for electricity.

     Declares an intent to:  (1) Require electric utilities to separately account for their generation, transmission, and distribution assets and operations;

     (2) require that bills for retail electric customers contain new price information; and

     (3) require new market entrants that are not existing electric utilities in the state to register with the utilities and transportation commission.