DOCKET UE-970418  Page 1

BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Application for              ) DOCKET UE-970418
Transfer of Property between PUGET               ) 
SOUND ENERGY and the               ) ORDER GRANTING
ANDERSONS and SCHODDES                    ) APPLICATION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . )


  On February 28, 1997, Puget Sound Energy (PSE or the Company) filed an 
application with the Commission under the provisions of RCW 80.12.020, WAC 
480-100-036, and WAC 480-143-010 for authorization to transfer a small amount 
of real property.  This property is associated with the Company’s White River 
Hydroelectric Project. According to the Company the land involved was 
originally booked under Account 330, “Land and Land Rights” and does not 
involve transmission.

  The purpose of the filing is to resolve a boundary dispute and carry out the 
transactions contemplated by the attached Settlement Agreement dated as of 
December 30, 1996 between PSE and Vernon L. Anderson, Eleanor Anderson, Monte 
Anderson and Walter D. Schodde and Roma A. Schodde (the Andersons and Schoddes).

  The boundary dispute arose because adjacent parcels of property were conveyed 
by instruments that described the common boundary line differently.  The common 
boundary line between the Schodde Property and the PSE Property is described 
differently in the 1909 PSE acquisition and in the 1972 Schodde real estate 
contract.  The source of the discrepancy between the 1909 PSE acquisition and 
the 1972 Schodde real estate contract to the Andersons appears to be that the 
Schoddes’ surveyor was unable to locate a 60" fir tree (or its stump), the 
location of which was a monument for the legal description for the PSE Property.

  The Company filed a quiet title action against the Schoddes and Andersons in 
Pierce County Superior Court, under Cause No. 93-2-10454-1.  After discovery 
and settlement negotiations, the parties to that action jointly commissioned a 
new survey (the “Joint Survey”).  The Joint Survey depicts an agreed-upon new 
boundary between the Schodde Property and the PSE Property.  The new boundary 
is a compromise between the boundary line described in the 1909 Company 
acquisition and the boundary line described in the 1972 Schodde (Seller) real 
estate contract to Anderson (Buyer).

  According to the Company, the boundary line settlement described in this 
filing will not adversely impact the Company’s utility operations.  The Company 
may remove from the PSE property certain improvements constructed by the 
Andersons and/or Schoddes.  No physical change in or to the Company’s existing 
facilities or operations is contemplated or necessary if the proposed boundary 
line settlement is approved.
 
  After regulatory authorities and the Pierce County Superior Court approve the 
Settlement Agreement, the parties will memorialize the agreed-upon new boundary 
line by executing mutual quitclaim deeds.

F I N D I N G S

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  1. PSE is a energy company and, as such is subject to the jurisdiction of the 
Commission.

  2. The proposed property transfer is not contrary to the public interest and 
should therefore be approved. 

O R D E R

  WHEREFORE, THE COMMISSION HEREBY ORDERS:

  1. Applicant Puget Sound Energy is authorized pursuant to RCW 80.12.020, WAC 
480-100-036, and WAC 480-143-010 to transfer to Vernon L. Anderson, Eleanor 
Anderson, Monte Anderson and Walter D. Schodde and Roma A. Schodde certain 
property pursuant to the attached Settlement Agreement.

  2. This order shall in no way affect the authority of this Commission over 
rates, service, accounts, valuations, estimates or determination of costs, or 
any matter whatsoever that may come before it, nor shall anything be construed 
as an acquiescence in any estimate or determination of costs, or any valuation 
of property claimed or asserted. Nothing herein shall be construed to waive or 
otherwise impair the jurisdiction of the Commission over the rates, services, 
accounts and practices of the Applicant, Puget Sound Energy.

  Dated at Olympia, Washington and effective this       thday of April, 1997.

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



       STEVE McLELLAN, Secretary