WSR 13-14-060

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Docket U-131087—Filed June 28, 2013, 8:41 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The utilities and transportation commission (commission) commences this inquiry to consider whether changes to WAC 480-100-128 (6)(k) and 480-90-128 (6)(k), which state that utility company representatives dispatched to disconnect service must accept payment to prevent disconnection, are warranted.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: PacifiCorp d/b/a Pacific Power requested an exemption from WAC 480-100-128 (6)(k), citing safety concerns and the availability of alternative methods of payment for its customers. Staff, public counsel, and the energy project believe that any potential safety concerns are outweighed by potential consumer harm, and that alternative methods for payment are largely unavailable to low-income consumers. This inquiry is being undertaken to gather more information from regulated companies related to safety incidents, disconnections prevented by collecting payment at the door, and data on banking options and internet access for low-income consumers.

Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study; and the commission will ask for initial written comments, schedule one or more workshops, and will provide the opportunity to provide additional written comments on draft rules and proposed CR-102 prior to adoption.

WRITTEN COMMENTS AND STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP: 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., Thursday, August 1, 2013, for consideration at the August 15, 2013, stakeholder workshop.

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

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/131087. 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 Steven V. King, acting executive director and secretary. When contacting the commission, please refer to Docket U-131087 to ensure that you are placed on the appropriate service list. Questions may be addressed to Rayne Pearson, (360) 664-1103, or rpearson@utc.wa.gov.

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 U-131087, and the words "Please keep me on the mailing list;" or (2) e-mail your name, address, telephone and fax numbers, referencing Docket U-131087, 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 at <http://www.utc.wa.gov/131087>. THOSE INTERESTED PERSONS WHO DO NOT RESPOND MAY NOT RECEIVE FURTHER MAILINGS OR INFORMATION ON THE RULE MAKING.

June 28, 2013

Steven V. King

Acting Director

and Secretary