DOCKET UG-971340 Page 1
 


BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND       )
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION,     )
                  )
  Complainant,    ) DOCKET UG-971340
                  )
 vs.                 )
                  )   COMPLAINT AND ORDER SUSPENDING
CASCADE NATURAL GAS            ) TARIFF REVISIONS; ORDER
CORPORATION,                   ) INSTITUTING INVESTIGATION
                  )
  Respondent.     )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .)



   On September 3, 1997, Cascade Natural Gas Corporation filed with the 
Commission under its Advice No. CNG/W97-09-01, revisions to its currently 
effective Tariff WN U-3 designated as:

Third Revision Sheet No. 684, canceling Second Revision
 Sheet No. 684;
Third Revision Sheet No. 684-A, canceling Second Revision
 Sheet No. 684-A;
Second Revision Sheet No. 684-B, canceling First Revision
 Sheet No. 684-B;
First Revision Sheet No. 684-C;
Original Sheet No. 684-D;
Original Sheet No. 684-E;

  The stated effective date of the proposed tariff revisions is October 9, 1997.

  It appearing that the rights and interests of the public might be injuriously 
affected thereby, it is the decision of the Commission to enter upon public 
hearing or hearings concerning such changes and the reasonableness and justness 
thereof and to suspend the operation of the above tariff revisions pending such 
hearing or hearings and decision thereon. 

  In accordance with RCW 80.04.130, the burden of proof to show that such 
revisions are just and reasonable shall be upon the respondent.

  The Commission believes it necessary, in order to carry out the duties 
imposed upon it by law, to investigate the respondent's books, accounts, 
practices, and activities; and to investigate and appraise various phases of 
respondent's operation.

  IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:

  1. The operation of the above tariff revisions, filed herein September 3, 
1997, is hereby suspended.

  2. A hearing or hearings, on the Commission's own motion, shall be held at 
such times and places as may be required.

  3. No change or alteration shall be made in the tariff revisions filed 
herein, during the period of suspension, unless authorized by the Commission.

  4. An investigation shall be, and the same is hereby instituted by the 
Commission as specified above.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 8th day of October, 1997.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION




      ANNE LEVINSON, Chair




      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner




      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner