Each gas utility offering service under tariff must make available for public inspection and review all tariffs governing its provision of service, as required by RCW
80.28.050. To comply with this requirement, a utility must fulfill the provisions of either subsection (1) or (2) of this section.
(1) Web, telephone, and mail access. The utility must:
(a) Maintain a complete copy of its tariff or tariffs and all proposed tariff changes on an internet website accessible to the public using generally available browser software;
(b) Provide a toll-free telephone number by which customers and applicants can obtain assistance during normal business hours from a company agent qualified to assist the customer in locating, interpreting, and applying tariff provisions;
(c) Upon written or oral request by any customer or applicant, deliver at no charge a copy of any current, proposed or most recently canceled tariff page that relates to the customer's or applicant's service; and
(d) Include on each customer bill and notice the address of the tariff website and the toll-free telephone number.
(2) Physical access. The utility must make available for public inspection and copying a complete copy of its tariff or tariffs, all most recently canceled tariff sheets, and all proposed tariff changes at one or more offices in each county where it offers service, except: A single office may serve more than one county if the office is within twenty miles of all customers in the county where no tariff is posted. The utility must provide at each office either an agent qualified to assist the customer in locating, interpreting, and applying tariff provisions or access to such an agent by a toll-free telephone number.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
80.01.040 and
80.04.180. WSR 02-11-081 (Docket No. U-991301, General Order No. R-498), § 480-90-193, filed 5/14/02, effective 6/17/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
80.04.160 and
80.01.040. WSR 01-09-002 (Docket No. U-991301, General Order No. R-481), § 480-90-193, filed 4/4/01, effective 5/5/01.]