September 24, 1999


NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY TO FILE WRITTEN COMMENTS
(October 13, 1999)

NOTICE OF WORKSHOP
(October 13, 1999)

RE: Docket No. UE-991168  – Electric System Reliability - Rulemaking 
 New Rule, to include some parts of Chapter 480-100 WAC

TO INTERESTED PERSONS:

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (Commission) is opening 
a rulemaking docket to consider the development of rules to regulate electric 
system reliability at investor-owned electric companies.  Specifically, issues 
will be considered that address service interruptions and power quality.

These issues are discussed more completely in two reports prepared by the 
Commission for the Legislature: the “Washington State Electricity System Study” 
conducted in compliance with Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6560, and the 
“Washington Electric Utility Service Quality, Reliability, Disclosure and Cost 
Report” conducted in compliance with Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 
2831.  Both reports can be acquired from the Commission at the address listed 
on the attached notice.  The ESSB 6560 report can also be found on the Internet 
at www.energy.cted.wa.gov/6560, and the E2SHB 2831 report at www.wutc.wa.gov/. 

This rulemaking will be for the purpose of developing a new rule, if 
appropriate, although some parts of Chapter 480-100 may be considered for 
revisions, including primarily: WAC 480-100-076 Service responsibilities, WAC 
480-100-186 Standard frequency, and WAC 480-100-191 Standard frequency.

This rulemaking is not being conducted to comply with Governor Locke’s 
Executive Order 97-02, requiring agencies to review significant existing rules 
for compliance with certain standards.  However, the Commission believes the 
Governor’s standards should apply, as follows:

1. Need.  Is the rule necessary to comply with the statutes that authorize it?  
Is the rule necessary to protect or safeguard the health, welfare, or safety of 
Washington's citizens? 

2. Effectiveness and Efficiency.  Will the rule provide the results that it is 
designed to achieve in a reasonable manner? 

3. Clarity.  Is the rule written and organized in a clear and concise manner so 
that it can be readily understood by those to whom it applies? 

4. Intent and Statutory Authority.  Is the rule consistent with the legislative 
intent of the statutes that authorize it?  Is the rule based upon sufficient 
statutory authority? 

5. Coordination.  Has there been sufficient coordination with other 
governmental jurisdictions and state agencies with similar regulatory authority 
to ensure the rule is as consistent and non-duplicative as possible. 

6. Cost. Have qualitative and quantitative benefits of the rule been considered 
in relation to its cost? 

7. Fairness. Does the rule result in equitable treatment of those required to 
comply with it? 

WRITTEN COMMENTS. The Commission seeks your input on whether and how electric 
system reliability should be regulated.  Written comments are due in the 
Commission offices no later than October 13, 1999, however, if comments are 
provided by October 8, they will be made available to all interested parties at 
the October 13, workshop.  We urge commentors to meet the October 8 date if at 
all possible.  There will be additional opportunities for comment.  All 
commentors are asked, but not required, to file an original and 10 copies of 
their written comments.  The Commission also requests, but does not require, 
that comments be provided on a 3 ½ inch IBM formatted high-density disk, in 
ASCII text or WordPerfect version 5.1 or later, labeled with the docket number 
of this proceeding (UE-991168) and the commentor’s name and type of software 
used.  Comments may also be provided by e-mail to <records@wutc.wa.gov>.  
Commission Staff will post on the Commission’s web site those comments that are 
provided in electronic format.  The web site is located at 
<http://www.wutc.wa.gov>.  We ask all commentors to include a summary of their 
comments.  

NOTICE OF INITIAL WORKSHOP.  The Commission has scheduled an initial workshop 
to discuss Electric System Reliability at 1:30 p.m. on October 13, 1999, in the 
Commission’s Hearing room (Room 206).

The Commission invites and encourages you to participate via written comments 
and/or attendance at the workshops.  The Commission will post information about 
these rulemaking proceedings on its web site and mail information to anyone who 
indicates an interest.  If you wish to receive further information you may: 
call the Commission records center at (360) 664-1234, e-mail the Commission at 
<records@wutc.wa.gov>, send us written comments, or attend any workshop.  When 
contacting the Commission, please refer to Docket No. UE-991168.

NOTICE

If you do not wish to comment at this time, but would like to receive future 
information regarding this rulemaking, please notify the Secretary in a manner 
referenced above and request to be included on the Docket No.
UE-991168 mailing list.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Sincerely,


CAROLE J. WASHBURN
Secretary

Enclosures