DOCKET UG-980442 Page 1



BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matter of the Requested )
Waiver of Statutory Notice in      ) DOCKET UG-980442 
Connection with the Petition       ) 
Filed by PUGET SOUND ENERGY  )  ORDER GRANTING
         )  PETITION TO SUSPEND   
...................................) TARIFF INCREASE


  On March 19, 1998, Puget Sound Energy, filed with the Commission a petition 
to suspend a portion of its currently effective Tariff WN U-2, designated as 
Third Revision Sheet No. 171-A.

  The current tariff sheet bears an effective date of April 1, 1998, with the 
last of five scheduled water heater rental rate increases.  The annual 
increases were scheduled in accordance with the fourth supplemental order in 
Docket
UG-920840.

  The reason for requesting suspension is to postpone the date of the last 
scheduled increase until the Commission considers and issues an order regarding 
the Company’s request to reopen and rehear Docket UG-920840.

  Since the petition to suspend the tariff’s stated effective date of April 1, 
1998, pending the outcome of the request to rehear Docket UG-920840, is fair, 
just and reasonable, and is not inconsistent with the public interest, it is 
appropriate that the company’s petition be granted.


FINDINGS

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  After careful examination of the petition filed herein by Puget Sound Energy, 
March 19, 1998, and giving consideration to all relevant matters and for good 
cause shown, the Commission finds that the portion of the tariff related to the 
last scheduled increase for the water heater rental rates should be suspended 
until the Commission considers and issues an order regarding the Company’s 
request to reopen and rehear Docket 
UG-920840.

     O R D E R
  

  THE COMMISSION THEREFORE ORDERS That the petition filed herein by Puget Sound 
Energy, March 19, 1998, is hereby granted, and said tariff provision shall be 
suspended until the Commission considers and issues an order regarding the 
Company’s request to reopen and rehear Docket UG-920840.


  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 25th day of March, 1998.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION





       PAUL CURL, Acting Secretary