BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Requested   )
Waiver of Statutory Notice in   ) DOCKET UG-000598
Connection with the Tariff   )
Filed by Cascade Natural                 ) ORDER GRANTING LESS
Gas Corporation               ) THAN STATUTORY NOTICE
      ) AND REQUIRING NOTIFICATION TO 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ) 
CUSTOMERS

BACKGROUND

  On April 20, 2000, Cascade Natural Gas Corporation  (“CNG” or “Company” ) 
filed with the Commission, under Advice No. CNG/W00-03-02, revisions to its 
currently  effective Tariff WN U-3,  designated as the Original Sheet Nos. 700, 
and. 700A.

  The tariff sheets bear an effective date of May 20, 2000.  This date 
recognizes statutory notice as required.  The Company requests, however, that 
statutory notice be waived and that the tariff becomes effective May 11, 2000. 

  The proposal in Docket UG-00598 establishes optional services related to 
customer-owned piping systems.  These services include design, construction, 
operation and maintenance, and  cathodic protection of piping systems.  In 
addition, the Company offers to perform  leak surveys, repair leaks, locate 
services, test odorization, and prepare reports.  The reason for the request 
for less than statutory notice is to expedite implementation of the rates 
resulting from discussion and negotiation in Docket UG-000471 which had an 
original effective date of May 1, 2000.

  The Company and Pipeline Safety Staff of the Commission have agreed to certain
terms that will aid in oversight of safety for master meter systems.  Pursuant 
to RCW 80.28.210 and WAC 480-93-005 regarding the definition of master meters, 
the Company will provide notification to the Commission at least 30 days prior 
to construction of a master meter system.  Furthermore, CNG will provide the 
following information to the customers:
 i) copies of CFR 49.192 and rule 10 in tariff from CNG’s WN U-3 regarding the 
customer’s responsibility of owning and operating a gas distribution system 
downstream of the meter set;
 ii) the total cost of installing individual meters;
 iii) the total cost of maintaining the gas distribution system as a master 
meter operator; and 
 iv) notification that if individual meters are installed the customer will not 
be responsible for the gas distribution system.


  Since the tariff revisions filed herein are fair, just and reasonable, and 
waiver of 
statutory notice is not inconsis-tent with the public interest, it is deemed 
appropriate that the Company 
be granted the waiver it is requesting with an effective date of May 11, 2000.
                                                                                
                         

FINDINGS

  After careful examination of the tariff revisions filed herein by Cascade 
Natural Gas Company, April 20, 2000, and giving consideration to all relevant 
matters and for good cause shown, the Commission finds that the tariff 
revisions should become effective May 11, 2000.

O R D E R

  THE COMMISSION THEREFORE ORDERS:

  That the Company will provide notification to the Commission and provide the
information to customers as indicated in the body of this Order. 

  The requested waiver of statutory notice in connection with the tariff
revisions filed herein by Cascade Natural Gas Company, April 20-, 2000, is 
hereby granted, and said tariff revisions shall become effective May 11, 2000.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 10th day of May, 2000.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



                                          MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman       



      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner