BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matter of the Application of

PUGET SOUND ENERGY, INC.

For Authority to Implement a Special Contract for Electric Service with King 
County, a Political Subdivision of the State of Washington
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		DOCKET UE-010772
		
		ORDER APPROVING SPECIAL CONTRACT ON LESS THAN STATUTORY NOTICE


BACKGROUND

1 On May 25, 2001, Puget Sound Energy, Inc. (“PSE” or “Company”) filed with the 
Commission a  Special Contract between PSE and King County (“County”) for 
electric service at the County’s  wastewater treatment facilities located in 
Renton, Washington.  The Special Contract provides the  County with an 
alternative to taking electric service under the existing Schedule 48 indexed 
rates.  The  Special Contract has a Base Load component that effectively gives 
the County the same terms for  loads up to 9.46 MWs per hour as the “Small 
Customer Agreement” filed in Docket Nos.   UE-001952 et al.  The County 
participated in that docket but was not a signatory to the Stipulation.   The 
Special Contract also contains rates that will be applied to certain Peaking 
Loads that the County  experiences throughout the year based on its wastewater 
treatment needs.

2 The Special Contract meets the requirements set forth in WAC 480-80-335.  The 
County’s Renton  wastewater treatment facility has unique load characteristics 
and electric service requirements that  distinguish it from other PSE 
customers.  The facility experiences peak load requirements significantly  
above its normal load levels.  These peak loads occur randomly throughout the 
year based on   wastewater treatment needs.  In addition, these requirements 
must be met with resources that ensure  physical delivery of the necessary 
peaking capacity to assure that the public interest in wastewater  treatment is 
served.  Finally, the County has expressed an interest in obtaining a path to 
return to core  electric service tariffs from its existing non-core Schedule 48 
service. 

3 The Special Contract also is consistent with the provisions in the Commission’
s Eleventh Supplemental  Order in Docket Nos. UE-001952 et al. specifically 
preserving the County’s rights.

4 WAC 480-80-335(4) requires thirty days’ notice prior to the effective date of 
a special contract.  The  Special Contract bears an inserted effective date of 
June 25, 2001.  This date recognizes statutory  notice as required.  The 
Company requests, however, that statutory notice be waived as authorized in  
WAC 480-80-240, and that the Special Contract become effective May 30, 2001.  
WAC   480-80-335(4) further provides that the Commission for good cause shown 
may approve an earlier  effective date.  Expedited approval of this Special 
Contract will benefit the customer by removing  most of the customer’s load 
from index-based pricing under Schedule 48.  The Special Contract also  allows 
the County to return to core electric service tariffs under the terms of this 
Special Contract.

5 For purposes of this contract, customers receiving core electric service are 
responsible for the costs of  the service received by their customer class, as 
determined by the Commission under cost-of-service  ratemaking principles.

6 Since the Special Contract provides for service terms and rates that are 
fair, just, and reasonable, and  waiver of statutory notice is not inconsistent 
with the public interest, it is appropriate that the   Commission grant the 
waiver PSE requests with an effective date of May 30, 2001.

FINDINGS

7 (1) Puget Sound Energy, Inc. is an electric company subject to the 
jurisdiction of the Commission.

8 (2) The Special Contract for electric service with King County filed by Puget 
Sound Energy, Inc.   is in compliance with WAC 480-80-335.

9 (3)  After careful examination of the Special Contract filed by Puget Sound 
Energy, Inc. on May   25, 2001, and giving consideration to all relevant 
matters and for good cause shown, the   Commission finds that the Special 
Contract should become effective May 30, 2001, with less   than statutory 
notice.  

10 (4)  This matter was brought before the Commission at its regularly 
scheduled open meeting on   May 30, 2001.  The Commissioners, having been fully 
advised in the matter, and having   determined this order to be consistent with 
the public interest, enter the following order.



O R D E R

11 THE COMMISSION GRANTS the requested waiver of statutory notice in connection 
with the  Special Contract filed by PSE on May 25, 2001, and approves the 
Special Contract for electric  service to King County filed on that date by 
Puget Sound Energy, Inc., which shall become effective  on May 30, 2001.

DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 30th day of May, 2001.

 WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



     MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman



     RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner