Subject of Possible Rule Making: Rules relating to gas companies - operations will be reviewed for content and readability pursuant to Executive Order 97-02, with attention to the rules' need; effectiveness and efficiency; clarity; intent and statutory authority; coordination; cost; and fairness. All provisions currently codified in chapter 480-90 WAC might be affected. The review will include consideration of whether substantive changes or additions are required, and whether any rules should be repealed.

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

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Executive Order 97-02 requires agencies to review significant rules with attention to the standards set out above. This includes reviewing whether current rules provide the results that they originally were intended to achieve, whether the rules are consistent with law, and whether the rules are consistent with appropriate and lawful policies. In addition, the review will include consideration of whether additional measures may be needed.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: United States Department of Transportation, Office of Pipeline Safety, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The commission will invite the agencies to participate in the rule making.

Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study; and the commission will ask for initial written comments, and will provide the opportunity for additional comments if substantial disagreements are reflected in the comments. The commission has scheduled one workshop with representatives of affected constituencies, and will schedule others if needed, to promote dialogue designed to develop consensus among affected interests regarding any rule proposal.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting the Secretary, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250, (360) 664-1174, fax (360) 586-1150. Such persons may submit comments, as specified below, or may ask to be included in the commission's list of interested persons for the proceeding.

Written Comments: Written comments in response to the CR-101 from persons interested in the subject matter of this proposed rule making may be filed with the Commission Secretary, referencing Docket No. UG-990294, not later than May 5, 1999. All commenters are asked, but not required, to file an original and ten copies of their written comments. The commission also requests, but does not require, that comments be provided on a 3 1/2 inch IBM formatted high-density disk, in WordPerfect version 5.1 or later, labeled with the docket number of this proceeding and the commenter's name and type of software used. The commission may offer additional opportunities to provide written comments. Interested persons may file additional written comments in response to any such invitation. Interested persons may also attend the initial workshop scheduled to be held in the Commission's Hearing Room, Room 206, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA, on Thursday, June 3, 1999, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and participate in any additional workshops scheduled. The commission will provide written notice of workshops to all commenters and to any other persons who specifically ask to receive notice in this rule-making proceeding.

Questions may be addressed to James Russell at (360) 664-1318 or e-mail at jrussell@wutc.wa.gov.

April 1, 1999

Carole J. Washburn

Secretary

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