Washington Statutes

Title 80 - Public utilities

80.01 - Utilities and transportation commission.
- 80.01.010 - Commission created -- Appointment of members -- Terms -- Vacancies -- Removal -- Salary.
- 80.01.020 - Commissioners -- Oath, bond, and qualifications -- Persons excluded from office and employment.
- 80.01.030 - Commission to employ secretary and other assistants -- Secretary's duties -- Deputies.
- 80.01.035 - Appointment of commissioners pro tempore.
- 80.01.040 - General powers and duties of commission.
- 80.01.050 - Quorum -- Hearings -- Actions deemed those of the commission.
- 80.01.060 - Administrative law judges -- Powers.
- 80.01.070 - Joint investigations, hearings, orders.
- 80.01.075 - Authority to initiate, participate in federal administrative agency proceedings.
- 80.01.080 - Public service revolving fund.
- 80.01.090 - Proceedings public records -- Seal.
- 80.01.100 - Duties of attorney general.
- 80.01.110 - Wholesale telecommunications services--Commission authorized to review rates, terms, conditions.
- 80.01.300 - Certain provisions not to detract from commission powers, duties, and functions.
80.04 - Regulations -- General.
- 80.04.010 - Definitions.
- 80.04.015 - Conduct of business subject to regulation -- Determination by commission.
- 80.04.020 - Procedure before commission and courts.
- 80.04.030 - Number of witnesses may be limited.
- 80.04.040 - Witness fees and mileage.
- 80.04.050 - Protection against self-incrimination.
- 80.04.060 - Depositions -- Service of process.
- 80.04.070 - Inspection of books, papers, and documents.
- 80.04.075 - Manner of serving papers.
- 80.04.080 - Annual reports.
- 80.04.090 - Forms of records to be prescribed.
- 80.04.095 - Protection of records containing commercial information.
- 80.04.100 - Production of out-of-state books and records.
- 80.04.110 - Complaints -- Hearings -- Water systems not meeting board of health standards -- Drinking water standards -- Nonmunicipal water systems audits.
- 80.04.120 - Hearing -- Order -- Record.
- 80.04.130 - Suspension of tariff change -- Mandatory measured telecommunications service -- Washington telephone assistance program service -- Effect of abandonment of electrical generation facility o
- 80.04.140 - Order requiring joint action.
- 80.04.150 - Remunerative rates cannot be changed without approval.
- 80.04.160 - Rules and regulations.
- 80.04.170 - Review of orders.
- 80.04.180 - Supersedeas -- Water companies seeking supersedeas.
- 80.04.190 - Appellate review.
- 80.04.200 - Rehearing before commission.
- 80.04.210 - Commission may change orders.
- 80.04.220 - Reparations.
- 80.04.230 - Overcharges -- Refund.
- 80.04.240 - Action in court on reparations and overcharges.
- 80.04.250 - Valuation of public service property.
- 80.04.260 - Summary proceedings.
- 80.04.270 - Merchandise accounts to be kept separate.
- 80.04.280 - Purchase and sale of stock by employees.
- 80.04.290 - Sales of stock to employees and customers.
- 80.04.300 - Budgets to be filed by companies -- Supplementary budgets.
- 80.04.310 - Commission's control over expenditures.
- 80.04.320 - Budget rules.
- 80.04.330 - Effect of unauthorized expenditure -- Emergencies.
- 80.04.350 - Depreciation and retirement accounts.
- 80.04.360 - Earnings in excess of reasonable rate -- Consideration in fixing rates.
- 80.04.380 - Penalties -- Violations by public service companies.
- 80.04.385 - Penalties -- Violations by officers, agents, and employees of public service companies.
- 80.04.387 - Penalties -- Violations by other corporations.
- 80.04.390 - Penalties -- Violations by persons.
- 80.04.400 - Actions to recover penalties -- Disposition of fines, penalties, and forfeitures.
- 80.04.405 - Additional penalties -- Violations by public service companies and officers, agents, and employees thereof.
- 80.04.410 - Orders and rules conclusive.
- 80.04.420 - Intervention by commission where order or rule is involved.
- 80.04.430 - Findings of commission prima facie correct.
- 80.04.440 - Companies liable for damages.
- 80.04.450 - Certified copies of orders, rules, etc. -- Evidentiary effect.
- 80.04.460 - Investigation of accidents.
- 80.04.470 - Commission to enforce public service laws -- Employees as peace officers.
- 80.04.480 - Rights of action not released -- Penalties cumulative.
- 80.04.500 - Application to municipal utilities.
- 80.04.510 - Duties of attorney general.
- 80.04.520 - Approval of lease of utility facilities.
- 80.04.530 - Local exchange company that serves less than two percent of state's access lines -- Regulatory exemptions -- Reporting requirements.
- 80.04.550 - Thermal energy -- Restrictions on authority of commission.
80.08 - Securities.
- 80.08.010 - Definition.
- 80.08.020 - Control vested in state.
- 80.08.030 - Authority to issue.
- 80.08.040 - Prior to issuance -- Filing required -- Contents -- Request for order establishing compliance.
- 80.08.043 - Issuance of notes -- Compliance with RCW 80.08.040 -- Exceptions.
- 80.08.047 - Commission may exempt certain issuances -- Order or rule -- Public interest.
- 80.08.080 - Capitalization of franchises or merger contracts prohibited.
- 80.08.090 - Accounting for disposition of proceeds.
- 80.08.100 - Issuance made contrary to this chapter -- Penalties.
- 80.08.110 - Penalty against companies.
- 80.08.120 - Penalty against individuals.
- 80.08.130 - Assumption of obligation or liability -- Compliance with filing requirements.
- 80.08.140 - State not obligated.
- 80.08.150 - Authority of commission -- Not affected by requirements of this chapter.
- 80.08.160 - Small local exchange company -- Chapter does not apply.
80.12 - Transfers of property.
- 80.12.010 - Definitions.
- 80.12.020 - Order required to sell, merge, etc. -- Exemption.
- 80.12.030 - Disposal without authorization void -- Approval or denial within eleven months, extension permitted.
- 80.12.040 - Authority required to acquire property or securities of utility.
- 80.12.045 - Small local exchange company -- Chapter does not apply.
- 80.12.050 - Rules and regulations.
- 80.12.060 - Penalty.
80.16 - Affiliated interests.
- 80.16.010 - Definitions.
- 80.16.020 - Dealings with affiliated interests -- Prior filing with commission required -- Commission may disapprove.
- 80.16.030 - Payments to affiliated interest disallowed if not reasonable.
- 80.16.040 - Satisfactory proof, what constitutes.
- 80.16.050 - Commission's control is continuing.
- 80.16.055 - Small local exchange company -- Chapter does not apply.
- 80.16.060 - Summary order on nonapproved payments.
- 80.16.070 - Summary order on payments after disallowance.
- 80.16.080 - Court action to enforce orders.
- 80.16.090 - Review of orders.
80.20 - Investigation of public service companies.
- 80.20.010 - Definition.
- 80.20.020 - Cost of investigation may be assessed against company.
- 80.20.030 - Interest on unpaid assessment -- Action to collect.
- 80.20.040 - Commission's determination of necessity as evidence.
- 80.20.050 - Order of commission not subject to review.
- 80.20.060 - Limitation on frequency of investigation.
80.24 - Regulatory fees.
- 80.24.010 - Companies to file reports of gross revenue and pay fees -- Delinquent fee payments.
- 80.24.020 - Fees to approximate reasonable cost of regulation.
- 80.24.030 - Intent of legislature -- Regulatory cost records to be kept by commission.
- 80.24.040 - Disposition of fees.
- 80.24.050 - Penalty for failure to pay fees -- Disposition of fines and penalties.
- 80.24.060 - Pipeline safety fee--Reports -- Procedure to contest fees -- Regulatory incentive program.
80.28 - Gas, electrical, and water companies.
- 80.28.005 - Definitions.
- 80.28.010 - Duties as to rates, services, and facilities -- Limitations on termination of utility service for residential heating.
- 80.28.020 - Commission to fix just, reasonable, and compensatory rates.
- 80.28.022 - Water company rates -- Reserve account.
- 80.28.024 - Legislative finding.
- 80.28.025 - Encouragement of energy cogeneration, conservation, and production from renewable resources -- Consideration of water conservation goals.
- 80.28.030 - Commission may order improved quality of commodity -- Water companies, board of health standards.
- 80.28.040 - Commission may order improved service -- Water companies, noncompliance, receivership.
- 80.28.050 - Tariff schedules to be filed with commission -- Public schedules.
- 80.28.060 - Tariff changes -- Statutory notice -- Exception -- Waiver of provisions during state of emergency.
- 80.28.065 - Tariff schedule -- Energy conservation -- Payment by successive property owners -- Notice -- Rules.
- 80.28.068 - Rates -- Low-income customers.
- 80.28.070 - Sliding scale of charges permitted.
- 80.28.074 - Legislative declaration.
- 80.28.075 - Banded rates -- Natural gas and electric services.
- 80.28.080 - Published rates to be charged -- Exceptions.
- 80.28.090 - Unreasonable preference prohibited.
- 80.28.100 - Rate discrimination prohibited -- Exception.
- 80.28.110 - Service to be furnished on reasonable notice.
- 80.28.120 - Effect on existing contracts.
- 80.28.130 - Repairs, improvements, changes, additions, or extensions may be directed.
- 80.28.140 - Inspection of gas and water meters.
- 80.28.150 - Inspection of electric meters.
- 80.28.160 - Testing apparatus to be furnished.
- 80.28.170 - Testing at consumer's request.
- 80.28.180 - Rules and regulations.
- 80.28.185 - Water companies within counties -- Commission may regulate.
- 80.28.190 - Gas companies -- Certificate -- Violations -- Commission powers -- Penalty -- Fees.
- 80.28.200 - Gas companies -- Refunds of charges.
- 80.28.220 - Gas companies -- Right of eminent domain -- Purposes.
- 80.28.230 - Gas companies -- Use for purpose acquired exclusive -- Disposition of property.
- 80.28.240 - Recovery of damages by utility company for tampering, unauthorized connections, diversion of services.
- 80.28.250 - Water companies -- Fire hydrants.
- 80.28.260 - Adoption of policies to provide financial incentives for energy efficiency programs.
- 80.28.270 - Water companies -- Extension, installation, or connection charges.
- 80.28.275 - Water companies -- Assumption of substandard water system -- Limited immunity from liability.
- 80.28.280 - Compressed natural gas -- Motor vehicle refueling stations -- Public interest.
- 80.28.290 - Compressed natural gas -- Refueling stations -- Identify barriers.
- 80.28.300 - Gas, electrical companies encouraged to provide customers with landscaping information and to request voluntary donations for urban forestry.
- 80.28.303 - Conservation service tariff -- Contents of filing -- Rate base -- Duties of commission.
- 80.28.306 - Conservation bonds -- Conservation investment assets as collateral -- Priority of security interests -- Transfers.
- 80.28.309 - Costs as bondable conservation investment.
- 80.28.310 - Tariff for irrigation pumping service -- Authority for electrical companies to buy back electricity.
- 80.28.900 - Construction -- Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships -- 2009 c 521.
80.32 - Electric franchises and rights-of-way.
- 80.32.010 - Cities and counties may grant franchises -- Procedure -- Liability to restore road for travel.
- 80.32.040 - Grant of franchise subject to referendum.
- 80.32.050 - Sale or lease of plant and franchises.
- 80.32.060 - Eminent domain.
- 80.32.070 - Right of entry.
- 80.32.080 - Duties of electrical companies exercising power of eminent domain.
- 80.32.090 - Limitation on use of electricity.
- 80.32.100 - Remedy for violations.
80.36 - Telecommunications.
- 80.36.005 - Definitions.
- 80.36.010 - Eminent domain.
- 80.36.020 - Right of entry.
- 80.36.030 - Extent of appropriation.
- 80.36.040 - Use of road, street, and railroad right-of-way -- When consent of city necessary.
- 80.36.050 - Use of railroad right-of-way -- Penalty for refusal by railroad.
- 80.36.060 - Liability for wilful injury to telecommunications property.
- 80.36.070 - Liability for negligent injury to property -- Notice of underwater cable.
- 80.36.080 - Rates, services, and facilities.
- 80.36.090 - Service to be furnished on demand.
- 80.36.100 - Tariff schedules to be filed and open to public -- Exceptions.
- 80.36.110 - Tariff changes -- Statutory notice -- Exception -- Waiver of provisions during state of emergency.
- 80.36.120 - Joint rates, contracts, etc.
- 80.36.130 - Published rates to be charged -- Exceptions.
- 80.36.135 - Alternative regulation of telecommunications companies -- Waiver of provisions during state of emergency.
- 80.36.140 - Rates and services fixed by commission, when.
- 80.36.145 - Formal investigation and fact-finding -- Alternative to full adjudicative proceeding -- Waiver of provisions during state of emergency.
- 80.36.150 - Contracts filed with commission.
- 80.36.160 - Physical connections may be ordered, routing prescribed, and joint rates established.
- 80.36.170 - Unreasonable preference prohibited.
- 80.36.180 - Rate discrimination prohibited.
- 80.36.183 - Discounted message toll rates prohibited -- Availability of statewide, averaged toll rates.
- 80.36.186 - Pricing of or access to noncompetitive services -- Unreasonable preference or advantage prohibited.
- 80.36.190 - Long and short distance provision.
- 80.36.195 - Telecommunications relay system -- Long distance discount rates.
- 80.36.200 - Transmission of messages of other lines.
- 80.36.210 - Order of sending messages.
- 80.36.220 - Duty to transmit messages -- Penalty for refusal or neglect.
- 80.36.225 - Pay telephones -- Calls to operator without charge or coin insertion to be provided.
- 80.36.230 - Exchange areas for telecommunications companies.
- 80.36.240 - Exchange areas for telephone companies -- Procedure to establish.
- 80.36.250 - Commission may complain of interstate rates.
- 80.36.260 - Betterments may be ordered.
- 80.36.270 - Effect on existing contracts.
- 80.36.300 - Policy declaration.
- 80.36.310 - Classification as competitive telecommunications companies, services -- Initiation of proceedings -- Notice and publication -- Effective date -- Date for final order.
- 80.36.320 - Classification as competitive telecommunications companies, services -- Factors considered -- Minimal regulation -- Reclassification -- Waiver of provisions during state of emergency.
- 80.36.330 - Classification as competitive telecommunications companies, services -- Effective competition defined -- Minimal regulation -- Prices and rates -- Reclassification -- Waiver of provisions
- 80.36.332 - Noncompetitive telecommunications companies, services -- Minimal regulation.
- 80.36.333 - Price lists in effect before June 7, 2006 -- Extension.
- 80.36.338 - Withdrawal of price list -- Customer information, opportunity to accept changes in rates, terms, or conditions -- Cancellation period.
- 80.36.340 - Banded rates.
- 80.36.350 - Registration of new companies -- Waiver of provisions during state of emergency.
- 80.36.360 - Exempted actions or transactions.
- 80.36.370 - Certain services not regulated.
- 80.36.375 - Personal wireless services -- Siting microcells and/or minor facilities -- Definitions.
- 80.36.390 - Telephone solicitation.
- 80.36.400 - Automatic dialing and announcing device -- Commercial solicitation by.
- 80.36.410 - Washington telephone assistance program -- Findings.
- 80.36.420 - Washington telephone assistance program -- Availability, components.
- 80.36.430 - Washington telephone assistance program -- Excise tax -- Expenses of community service voice mail.
- 80.36.440 - Washington telephone assistance program -- Rules.
- 80.36.450 - Washington telephone assistance program -- Limitation.
- 80.36.460 - Washington telephone assistance program -- Deposit waivers, connection fee discounts.
- 80.36.470 - Washington telephone assistance program -- Eligibility.
- 80.36.500 - Information delivery services through exclusive number prefix or service access code.
- 80.36.510 - Legislative finding.
- 80.36.520 - Disclosure of alternate operator services.
- 80.36.522 - Alternate operator service companies -- Registration -- Penalties.
- 80.36.524 - Alternate operator service companies -- Rules.
- 80.36.530 - Violation of consumer protection act -- Damages.
- 80.36.540 - Telefacsimile messages -- Unsolicited transmission -- Penalties.
- 80.36.555 - Enhanced 911 service -- Residential service required.
- 80.36.560 - Enhanced 911 service -- Business service required.
- 80.36.600 - Universal service program -- Planning and preparation -- Commission's duties -- Approval of legislature required -- Definitions.
- 80.36.610 - Universal service program -- Authority of commission -- Rules -- Fees -- Legislative intent.
- 80.36.620 - Universal service program -- Rules.
- 80.36.850 - Extended area service defined.
- 80.36.855 - Extended area service program.
- 80.36.900 - Severability -- 1985 c 450.
- 80.36.901 - Legislative review of 1985 c 450 -- 1989 c 101.
80.40 - Underground Natural Gas Storage Act.
- 80.40.010 - Definitions.
- 80.40.020 - Declaration concerning the public interest.
- 80.40.030 - Eminent domain.
- 80.40.040 - Eminent domain -- Application to oil and gas conservation committee prerequisite to eminent domain -- Procedure.
- 80.40.050 - Rights of company using storage -- Rights of owners of condemned land and interests therein.
- 80.40.060 - Leases by commissioner of public lands.
- 80.40.070 - Leases by county commissioners.
- 80.40.900 - Short title.
- 80.40.910 - Chapter to be liberally construed.
- 80.40.920 - Severability -- 1963 c 201.
80.50 - Energy facilities -- Site locations.
- 80.50.010 - Legislative finding -- Policy -- Intent.
- 80.50.020 - Definitions.
- 80.50.030 - Energy facility site evaluation council -- Created -- Membership -- Support.
- 80.50.040 - Energy facility site evaluation council -- Powers enumerated.
- 80.50.045 - Recommendations to secretary, federal energy regulatory commission -- Siting electrical transmission corridors -- Council designated as state authority for siting transmission facilities.
- 80.50.060 - Energy facilities to which chapter applies -- Applications for certification -- Forms -- Information.
- 80.50.071 - Council to receive applications -- Deposits or charges for application processing or certification monitoring.
- 80.50.075 - Expedited processing of applications.
- 80.50.080 - Counsel for the environment.
- 80.50.085 - Council staff to assist applicants, make recommendations.
- 80.50.090 - Public hearings.
- 80.50.100 - Recommendations to governor -- Approval or rejection of certification -- Reconsideration.
- 80.50.105 - Transmission facilities for petroleum products -- Recommendations to governor.
- 80.50.110 - Chapter governs and supersedes other law or regulations -- Preemption of regulation and certification by state.
- 80.50.120 - Effect of certification.
- 80.50.130 - Revocation or suspension of certification -- Grounds.
- 80.50.140 - Review.
- 80.50.150 - Enforcement of compliance -- Penalties.
- 80.50.160 - Availability of information.
- 80.50.175 - Study of potential sites -- Fee -- Disposition of payments.
- 80.50.180 - Proposals and actions by other state agencies and local political subdivisions pertaining to energy facilities exempt from "detailed statement" required by RCW 43.21C.030.
- 80.50.190 - Disposition of receipts from applicants.
- 80.50.300 - Unfinished nuclear power projects -- Transfer of all or a portion of a site to a political subdivision or subdivisions of the state -- Water rights.
- 80.50.310 - Council actions -- Exemption from chapter 43.21C RCW.
- 80.50.320 - Governor to evaluate council efficiency, make recommendations.
- 80.50.330 - Preapplication -- Siting electrical transmission facilities -- Corridors.
- 80.50.340 - Preapplication -- Fees -- Plans.
- 80.50.900 - Severability -- 1970 ex.s. c 45.
- 80.50.901 - Severability -- 1974 ex.s. c 110.
- 80.50.902 - Severability -- 1977 ex.s. c 371.
- 80.50.903 - Severability -- 1996 c 4.
- 80.50.904 - Effective date -- 1996 c 4.
80.52 - Energy financing voter approval act.
- 80.52.010 - Short title.
- 80.52.020 - Purpose.
- 80.52.030 - Definitions.
- 80.52.040 - Election approval required before issuance of bonds.
- 80.52.050 - Conduct of election.
- 80.52.060 - Form of ballot propositions.
- 80.52.070 - Approval of request for financing authority.
- 80.52.080 - Priorities.
- 80.52.900 - Severability -- 1981 2nd ex.s. c 6.
- 80.52.910 - Effective dates -- 1981 2nd ex.s. c 6.
80.54 - Attachments to transmission facilities.
- 80.54.010 - Definitions.
- 80.54.020 - Regulation of rates, terms, and conditions -- Criteria.
- 80.54.030 - Commission order fixing rates, terms, or conditions.
- 80.54.040 - Criteria for just and reasonable rate.
- 80.54.050 - Exemptions from chapter.
- 80.54.060 - Adoption of rules.
- 80.54.070 - Uniform attachment rates within utility service area.
80.58 - Nonpolluting power generation exemption.
- 80.58.010 - Nonpolluting power generation by individual -- Exemption from regulation -- Authorization to contract with utility.
80.60 - Net metering of electricity.
- 80.60.005 - Findings.
- 80.60.010 - Definitions.
- 80.60.020 - Available on first-come, first-served basis -- Interconnected metering systems allowed -- Charges to customer-generator.
- 80.60.030 - Net energy measurement -- Required calculation -- Unused credit -- Meter aggregation.
- 80.60.040 - Safety, power quality, and interconnection requirements -- Customer-generator's expense -- Commission may adopt additional requirements.
80.66 - Radio communications service companies.
- 80.66.010 - Scope of regulation -- Filing of certain agreements.
80.70 - Carbon dioxide mitigation.
- 80.70.010 - Definitions.
- 80.70.020 - Applicability of chapter -- Carbon dioxide mitigation plan -- Mitigation by a third party.
- 80.70.030 - Permanent carbon credits.
- 80.70.040 - Direct investment mitigation projects -- Enforcement -- Federal requirements may replace this section.
- 80.70.050 - Independent qualified organizations with experience in mitigation activities -- Council oversight -- Reports.
- 80.70.060 - Costs to be assessed against applicants and holders of site certification agreements.
- 80.70.070 - Rules.
80.80 - Greenhouse gases emissions -- Baseload electric generation performance standard.
- 80.80.005 - Findings -- Intent.
- 80.80.010 - Definitions.
- 80.80.030 - Achieving greenhouse gases emissions reduction goals -- Submission of policy recommendations to legislature by governor.
- 80.80.040 - Greenhouse gas emissions performance standards -- Rules -- Sequestration.
- 80.80.050 - Public comment -- Commercially available turbines -- Rate of greenhouse gases emissions -- Reports -- Rules.
- 80.80.060 - Electrical companies -- Baseload electric generation -- Long-term financial commitments -- Rules.
- 80.80.070 - Consumer-owned utilities -- Baseload electric generation -- Long-term financial commitments.
- 80.80.080 - Greenhouse gases emissions performance standards -- Review -- Report.
80.98 - Construction.
- 80.98.010 - Continuation of existing law.
- 80.98.020 - Title, chapter, section headings not part of law.
- 80.98.030 - Invalidity of part of title not to affect remainder.
- 80.98.040 - Repeals and saving.
- 80.98.050 - Emergency -- 1961 c 14.
RCW Dispositions
- 80.32 - Electric franchises and rights-of-way
- 80.50 - Energy facilities — site locations
- 80.28 - Gas, electrical, and water companies
- 80.80 - Greenhouse gases emissions
- 80.62 - Heat suppliers
- 80.44 - Municipal street railway bonds
- 80.04 - Regulations — general
- 80.48 - Sale or lease of municipal utilities
- 80.08 - Securities
- 80.36 - Telecommunications
- 80.40 - Underground natural gas storage act
Notes