Docket UW-971237 Page 1


BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matter of the Requested )
Waiver of Statutory Notice in ) DOCKET UW-971237
Connection with the Tariff )
Revisions Filed by ) ORDER GRANTING LESS
   ) THAN STATUTORY NOTICE
LEWIS COUNTY UTILITIES  ) 
CORPORATION, INC. )
   )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .)

  On August 8, 1997, Lewis County Utilities Corporation, Inc., filed with the 
Commission revisions to its currently effective Tariff WN U-1, designated as 
First Revision sheet numbers 17.3, 17.4, 17.5, 18.3, 18.4, 18.5,;  Second 
Revision sheet numbers 18, 18.1,; and Third Revision sheet numbers 17, 17.1, 
17.2, 18.2.

  The tariff sheets bear an inserted effective date of September 8, 1997.  This 
date recognizes statutory notice as required.  The company requests, however, 
that statutory notice be waived and that the revisions become effective 
September 1, 1997.

  On June 30, 1997, Lewis County Utilities Corporation, Inc., filed revisions 
to its tariff in Docket UW-971083.  The filing was suspended at the open 
meeting of July 30, 1997.  The filing was allowed to be withdrawn and revised 
tariff revisions were filed August 8, 1997, In Docket UW-971237.  

  Lewis County Utility Corporation, Inc., acknowledges and agrees that they 
will record the system at a cost of One Hundred Seventy Five Thousand dollars 
($175,000) and adjust the recorded cost to reflex a negative acquisition 
adjustment of $141,578. Resulting rate base will be approximately $33,422.   
Additionally Lewis County Utility Corporation, Inc., agrees to this adjustment 
unless changes occur in legislation, utility regulation policy, or court cases 
related to acquisition adjustments.  Commission staff will recognize current 
rate base for rate making purposes and that any acquisition adjustment or lack 
there of will be the responsibility of the stockholders and not the ratepayers 
and that the company will not ask ratepayers for any reimbursement for 
acquisition adjustments in the future in order to meet cash flow or payment 
requirements on any outstanding debt incurred due to the sale and transfer.  
Should Lewis County be able to provide any evidence to support an increase in 
the rate base, the Commission will allow any such appropriate amount included 
in the recoverable rate base.  The source of funds used to purchase the rate 
base must be provided to determine investment in and contributions to the 
plant.  

  Lewis County Utilities Corporation, Inc., will file a general rate case no 
later than two years from the effective date of this order.  The purpose of the 
required filing is to allow staff to determine if the rates in effect are fair, 
just, reasonable, and sufficient in light of the substantial growth projected 
to be enjoyed by the company.  Growth, for purposes of this company, is in the 
form of added customers within existing systems and by purchases of additional 
water systems.

  This order shall in no way affect the authority of this Commission over 
rates, service, accounts, valuations, estimates, or determination of costs, or 
any matters whatsoever that may come before it, nor shall anything herein be 
construed as an acquies- cence in any estimate or determination of costs or any 
valuation of property claimed or asserted.

  Since the tariff revisions filed herein are fair, just and reasonable, and 
waiver of statutory notice is not inconsistent with the public interest, it is 
deemed appropriate that the company be granted the waiver it is requesting with 
an effective date of September 1, 1997.

FINDINGS

  After careful examination of the tariff revisions filed herein by Lewis 
County Utilities Corporation, Inc., August 8, 1997, and giving consideration to 
all relevant matters and for good cause shown, the Commission finds that the 
tariff revisions should become effective September 1, 1997.

O R D E R

  THE COMMISSION THEREFORE ORDERS That the requested waiver of statutory notice 
in connection with the tariff revisions filed herein by Lewis County Utilities 
Corporation, Inc., August 8, 1997, is hereby granted, and said tariff revisions 
shall become effective September 1, 1997.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 27th day of August, 1997.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


     
      STEVE MCLELLAN, Secretary