BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matter of the Commission ) DOCKET NO. U-971835
Staff Investigation Into PUBLIC ) 
SERVICE COMPANY Analysis of ) FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL ORDER
“Year 2000" Computer Issues  ) MODIFYING REPORTING
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ) REQUIREMENTS

BACKGROUND

  The Commission on December 24, 1997, initiated a Commission Staff 
investigation into public service company analysis of year 2000 (Y2K) computer 
issues.  At a public hearing on February 6, 1998, the major facilities-based 
public service companies subject to Commission jurisdiction reported on the 
status of their efforts to assess and address potential Y2K problems.  Based 
upon Staff’s report of its findings from the February hearing and comments of 
industry representatives at the May 27, 1998 open public meeting, the 
Commission on June 5, 1998, entered an Order Requiring Quarterly Reporting 
(Order).

MEMORANDUM

  The Commission required the public service companies named in our Order to 
file quarterly reports on the status of their Y2K efforts beginning June 30, 
1998, and then every 90 days thereafter.  The Commission’s review of the 
companies’ three quarterly reports has found inconsistency in the filed reports 
and incomplete information regarding “the companies’ efforts to address and 
remedy Year 2000 problems[.]” Commission Staff postulates this may stem in part 
from the absence of a common reporting format.

  Commission Staff urge us to adopt a standard reporting format for the 
quarterly reports filed with the Commission.  We note that the North American 
Electric Reliability Council (NERC) and the Federal Communications Commission 
(FCC) have adopted uniform reporting formats for Y2K readiness reporting for 
the electric and telecommunications industry, respectively.  Commission Staff 
believe use of the NERC and FCC reporting formats will provide better 
information and minimize filing requirements.

  Commission Staff also asks us to modify the requirement in our Order that 
companies the submit “year 2000 utility service restoration contingency plans 
to the Commission for review no later than December 1998.”  Staff recommends 
that final contingency plans be filed with the Commission on the following 
schedule: natural gas companies by April 30, 1999; telecommunications companies 
by May 30, 1999; and electric companies by June 30, 1999.


COMMISSION DISCUSSION AND DECISION

  At the January 27 open public meeting, Commission Staff presented its 
recommendations to modify our Order as described above.  Specifically, Staff 
asks that the Commission order that electric companies utilize the NERC uniform 
reporting format adopted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, that 
telecommunications companies utilize the FCC uniform reporting format, and that 
natural gas companies and Commission Staff jointly develop a uniform reporting 
format for these companies.

  Commission Staff further asks that we amend our prior Order with regard to 
the filing companies’ final contingency plans.  Staff recommends that final 
plans be submitted on the following schedule: April 30, 1999, for natural gas 
operations; May 30, 1999, for telecommunications operations; and June 30, 1999, 
for electric operations.

  There were no oral comments on the Commission Staff proposal from industry or 
company representatives at the open meeting.  The Commission received a written 
statement from Avista Corp. (formerly The Washington Water Power Company) 
supporting Staff’s proposals regarding use of the NERC uniform reporting 
structure and format, and the submittal dates for final contingency plans. 

    The Commission therefore finds in the public interest to order use of the 
NERC and FCC uniform reporting formats for the company’s quarterly reports 
requirements.  We also will order the Staff recommended company submittal 
schedules for filing final contingency plans.


ORDER

  THE COMMISSION ORDERS:

  1. That the following uniform reporting formats are to utilized by regulated 
companies filing quarterly reports with the Commission: NERC format for 
electric companies; FCC format for telecommunications companies; and a joint 
company and Commission Staff format for natural gas companies.

  2. That the regulated companies’ submission of final contingency plans is to 
conform to the following schedule:  April 30, 1999, for gas operations; May 30, 
1999, for telecommunications operations; and June 30, 1999 for electric 
operations.

  3. That jurisdiction is retained to effectuate the terms of this and prior 
Orders in this matter.


  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 27th day of
January 1999.

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



      CAROLE J. WASHBURN, Secretary