reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.24 - Regulatory Fees. › 80.24.010 - Companies to file reports of gross revenue and pay fees—Delinquent fee payments.

RCW 80.24.010
Companies to file reports of gross revenue and pay fees—Delinquent fee payments.
Every public service company subject to regulation by the commission shall, on or before the date specified by the commission for filing annual reports under RCW 80.04.080, file with the commission a statement on oath showing its gross operating revenue from intrastate operations for the preceding calendar year or portion thereof and pay to the commission a fee equal to one-tenth of one percent of the first fifty thousand dollars of gross operating revenue, plus four-tenths of one percent of any gross operating revenue in excess of fifty thousand dollars: PROVIDED, That the commission may, by rule, set minimum fees that do not exceed the cost of collecting the fees. The commission may by rule waive any or all of the minimum fee established pursuant to this section.
The percentage rates of gross operating revenue to be paid in any year may be decreased by the commission for any class of companies subject to the payment of such fees, by general order entered before March 1st of such year, and for such purpose such companies shall be classified as follows:
Electrical, gas, water, telecommunications, and irrigation companies shall constitute class one. Every other company subject to regulation by the commission, for which regulatory fees are not otherwise fixed by law shall pay fees as herein provided and shall constitute additional classes according to kinds of businesses engaged in.
Any payment of the fee imposed by this section made after its due date shall include a late fee of two percent of the amount due. Delinquent fees shall accrue interest at the rate of one percent per month.
[ 2022 c 159 § 1; 2003 c 296 § 1; 1994 c 83 § 1; 1990 c 48 § 1; 1985 c 450 § 14; 1961 c 14 § 80.24.010. Prior: 1955 c 125 § 2; prior: 1939 c 123 § 1, part; 1937 c 158 § 1, part; 1929 c 107 § 1, part; 1923 c 107 § 1, part; 1921 c 113 § 1, part; RRS § 10417, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.24 - Regulatory Fees. › 80.24.020 - Fees to approximate reasonable cost of regulation.

RCW 80.24.020
Fees to approximate reasonable cost of regulation.
In fixing the percentage rates of gross operating revenue to be paid in any year, the commission shall consider all moneys then in the public service revolving fund and the fees currently to be paid into such fund, to the end that the fees collected from the several classes of companies shall be approximately the same as the reasonable cost of supervising and regulating such classes of companies.
[ 1961 c 14 § 80.24.020. Prior: 1955 c 125 § 3; prior: 1939 c 123 § 1, part; 1937 c 158 § 1, part; RRS § 10417, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.24 - Regulatory Fees. › 80.24.030 - Intent of legislature—Regulatory cost records to be kept by commission.

RCW 80.24.030
Intent of legislature—Regulatory cost records to be kept by commission.
It is the intent and purpose of the legislature that the several groups of public service companies shall each contribute sufficient in fees to the commission to pay the reasonable cost of regulating the several groups respectively. The commission shall keep accurate records of the costs incurred in regulating and supervising the several groups of companies subject to regulation or supervision and such records shall be open to inspection by all interested parties. The records and data upon which the commission's determination is made shall be considered prima facie correct in any proceeding instituted to challenge the reasonableness or correctness of any order of the commission fixing fees and distributing regulatory expenses.
[ 1961 c 14 § 80.24.030. Prior: 1937 c 158 § 7; RRS § 10417-5.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.24 - Regulatory Fees. › 80.24.040 - Disposition of fees.

RCW 80.24.040
Disposition of fees.
All moneys collected under the provisions of this chapter shall within thirty days be paid to the state treasurer and by the state treasurer deposited to the public service revolving fund: PROVIDED, That all fees, fines, forfeitures and penalties collected or assessed by a district court because of the violation of a state law shall be remitted as provided in chapter 3.62 RCW as now exists or is later amended.
[ 1987 c 202 § 239; 1969 ex.s. c 199 § 36; 1961 c 14 § 80.24.040. Prior: 1937 c 158 § 6; RRS § 10417-4.]
NOTES:
Intent—1987 c 202: See note following RCW 2.04.190.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.24 - Regulatory Fees. › 80.24.050 - Penalty for failure to pay fees—Disposition of fines and penalties.

RCW 80.24.050
Penalty for failure to pay fees—Disposition of fines and penalties.
Every person, firm, company or corporation, or the officers, agents or employees thereof, failing or neglecting to pay the fees herein required shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. All fines and penalties collected under the provisions of this chapter shall be deposited into the public service revolving fund of the state treasury: PROVIDED, That all fees, fines, forfeitures and penalties collected or assessed by a district court because of the violation of a state law shall be remitted as provided in chapter 3.62 RCW as now exists or is later amended.
[ 1987 c 202 § 240; 1979 ex.s. c 198 § 1; 1969 ex.s. c 199 § 37; 1961 c 14 § 80.24.050. Prior: 1923 c 107 § 2; 1921 c 113 § 3; RRS § 10419.]
NOTES:
Intent—1987 c 202: See note following RCW 2.04.190.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.005 - Definitions.

RCW 80.28.005
Definitions.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "Bondable conservation investment" means all expenditures made by electrical, gas, or water companies with respect to energy or water conservation measures and services intended to improve the efficiency of electricity, gas, or water end use, including related carrying costs if:
(a) The conservation measures and services do not produce assets that would be bondable utility property under the general utility mortgage of the electrical, gas, or water company;
(b) The commission has determined that the expenditures were incurred in conformance with the terms and conditions of a conservation service tariff in effect with the commission at the time the costs were incurred, and at the time of such determination the commission finds that the company has proven that the costs were prudent, that the terms and conditions of the financing are reasonable, and that financing under this chapter is more favorable to the customer than other reasonably available alternatives;
(c) The commission has approved inclusion of the expenditures in rate base and has not ordered that they be currently expensed; and
(d) The commission has not required that the measures demonstrate that energy savings have persisted at a certain level for a certain period before approving the cost of these investments as bondable conservation investment.
(2) "Conservation bonds" means bonds, notes, certificates of beneficial interests in trusts, or other evidences of indebtedness or ownership that:
(a) The commission determines at or before the time of issuance are issued to finance or refinance bondable conservation investment by an electrical, gas or water company; and
(b) Rely partly or wholly for repayment on conservation investment assets and revenues arising with respect thereto.
(3) "Conservation investment assets" means the statutory right of an electrical, gas, or water company:
(a) To have included in rate base all of its bondable conservation investment and related carrying costs; and
(b) To receive through rates revenues sufficient to recover the bondable conservation investment and the costs of equity and debt capital associated with it, including, without limitation, the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on conservation bonds.
(4) "Finance subsidiary" means any corporation, company, association, joint stock association, or trust that is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by an electrical, gas, or water company, or in the case of a trust issuing conservation bonds consisting of beneficial interests, for which an electrical, gas, or water company or a subsidiary thereof is the grantor, or an unaffiliated entity formed for the purpose of financing or refinancing approved conservation investment, and that acquires conservation investment assets directly or indirectly from such company in a transaction approved by the commission.
[ 1994 c 268 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.020 - Commission to fix just, reasonable, and compensatory rates.

RCW 80.28.020
Commission to fix just, reasonable, and compensatory rates.
Whenever the commission shall find, after a hearing had upon its own motion, or upon complaint, that the rates or charges demanded, exacted, charged or collected by any gas company, electrical company, wastewater company, or water company, for gas, electricity, wastewater company services, or water, or in connection therewith, or that the rules, regulations, practices or contracts affecting such rates or charges are unjust, unreasonable, unjustly discriminatory or unduly preferential, or in any wise in violation of the provisions of the law, or that such rates or charges are insufficient to yield a reasonable compensation for the service rendered, the commission shall determine the just, reasonable, or sufficient rates, charges, regulations, practices or contracts to be thereafter observed and in force, and shall fix the same by order.
[ 2011 c 214 § 12; 1961 c 14 § 80.28.020. Prior: 1911 c 117 § 54, part; RRS § 10390, part.]
NOTES:
Findings—Purpose—Limitation of chapter—Effective date—2011 c 214: See notes following RCW 80.04.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.022 - Water company rates—Reserve account.

RCW 80.28.022
Water company rates—Reserve account.
In determining the rates to be charged by each water company subject to its jurisdiction, the commission may provide for the funding of a reserve account exclusively for the purpose of making capital improvements approved by the department of health as a part of a long-range plan, or required by the department to assure compliance with federal or state drinking water regulations, or to perform construction or maintenance required by the department of ecology to secure safety to life and property under RCW 43.21A.064(2). Expenditures from the fund shall be subject to prior approval by the commission, and shall be treated for rate-making purposes as customer contributions.
[ 1991 c 150 § 1; 1990 c 132 § 6.]
NOTES:
Legislative findings—Severability—1990 c 132: See note following RCW 43.20.240.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.024 - Legislative finding.

RCW 80.28.024
Legislative finding.
The legislature finds and declares that the potential for meeting future energy needs through conservation measures, including energy conservation loans, energy audits, the use of appropriate tree plantings for energy conservation, and the use of renewable resources, such as solar energy, wind energy, wood, wood waste, municipal waste, agricultural products and wastes, hydroelectric energy, geothermal energy, and end-use waste heat, may not be realized without incentives to public and private energy utilities. The legislature therefore finds and declares that actions and incentives by state government to promote conservation and the use of renewable resources would be of great benefit to the citizens of this state by encouraging efficient energy use and a reliable supply of energy based upon renewable energy resources.
[ 1993 c 204 § 8; 1980 c 149 § 1.]
NOTES:
Findings—1993 c 204: See note following RCW 35.92.390.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.025 - Encouragement of energy cogeneration, conservation, and production from renewable resources—Consideration of water conservation goals.

RCW 80.28.025
Encouragement of energy cogeneration, conservation, and production from renewable resources—Consideration of water conservation goals.
(1) In establishing rates for each gas and electric company regulated by this chapter, the commission shall adopt policies to encourage meeting or reducing energy demand through cogeneration as defined in *RCW 82.35.020, measures which improve the efficiency of energy end use, and new projects which produce or generate energy from renewable resources, such as solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric energy, geothermal energy, wood, wood waste, municipal wastes, agricultural products and wastes, and end-use waste heat. These policies shall include but are not limited to allowing a return on investment in measures to improve the efficiency of energy end use, cogeneration, or projects which produce or generate energy from renewable resources which return is established by adding an increment of two percent to the rate of return on common equity permitted on the company's other investment. Measures or projects encouraged under this section are those for which construction or installation is begun after June 12, 1980, and before January 1, 1990, and which, at the time they are placed in the rate base, are reasonably expected to save, produce, or generate energy at a total incremental system cost per unit of energy delivered to end use which is less than or equal to the incremental system cost per unit of energy delivered to end use from similarly available conventional energy resources which utilize nuclear energy or fossil fuels and which the gas or electric company could acquire to meet energy demand in the same time period. The rate of return increment shall be allowed for a period not to exceed thirty years after the measure or project is first placed in the rate base.
(2) In establishing rates for water companies regulated by this chapter, the commission may consider the achievement of water conservation goals and the discouragement of wasteful water use practices.
[ 1991 c 347 § 23; 1980 c 149 § 2.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: RCW 82.35.020 was repealed by 2005 c 443 § 7, effective July 1, 2006.
Purposes—1991 c 347: See note following RCW 90.42.005.
Public utility tax exemptions relating to energy conservation and production from renewable resources: RCW 82.16.055.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.030 - Commission may order improved quality of commodity—Ordering improvements to the storage, distribution, or supply of water—Ordering improvements to the system of sewerage.

RCW 80.28.030
Commission may order improved quality of commodity—Ordering improvements to the storage, distribution, or supply of water—Ordering improvements to the system of sewerage.
(1) Whenever the commission finds, after such hearing, that the illuminating or heating power, purity or pressure of gas, the efficiency of electric lamp supply, the voltage of the current supplied for light, heat or power, the quality of wastewater company services, or the purity, quality, volume, and pressure of water, supplied by any gas company, electrical company, wastewater company, or water company, as the case may be, is insufficient, impure, inadequate or inefficient, it shall order such improvement in the manufacture, distribution or supply of gas, in the manufacture, transmission or supply of electricity, in the operation of the services and facilities of wastewater companies, or in the storage, distribution or supply of water, or in the methods employed by such gas company, electrical company, wastewater company, or water company, as will in its judgment be efficient, adequate, just and reasonable. Failure of a water company to comply with state board of health standards adopted under RCW 43.20.050(2)(a) or department standards adopted under chapter 70A.100 RCW for purity, volume, and pressure is prima facie evidence that the water supplied is insufficient, impure, inadequate, or inefficient. Failure of a wastewater company to comply with standards and permit conditions adopted and implemented under chapter 70A.115 or 90.48 RCW for treatment and disposal of sewerage, is prima facie evidence that the system of sewerage is insufficient, inadequate, or inefficient.
(2) In ordering improvements in the storage, distribution, or supply of water, the commission shall consult and coordinate with the department of health. In the event that a water company fails to comply with an order of the commission within the deadline specified in the order, the commission may request that the department petition the superior court of Thurston county to place the company in receivership pursuant to chapter 7.60 RCW.
(3) In ordering improvements to the system of sewerage, the commission shall consult and coordinate with the department of health or the department of ecology, as appropriate to the agencies' jurisdiction. In the event that a wastewater company fails to comply with an order of the commission within the deadline specified in the order, the commission may petition the superior court of Thurston county to place the company in receivership pursuant to chapter 7.60 RCW.
[ 2021 c 65 § 96; 2011 c 214 § 13; 1989 c 207 § 4; 1961 c 14 § 80.28.030. Prior: 1911 c 117 § 54, part; RRS § 10390, part.]
NOTES:
Explanatory statement—2021 c 65: See note following RCW 53.54.030.
Findings—Purpose—Limitation of chapter—Effective date—2011 c 214: See notes following RCW 80.04.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.040 - Commission may order improved service—Water companies, system of sewerage noncompliance, receivership.

RCW 80.28.040
Commission may order improved service—Water companies, system of sewerage noncompliance, receivership.
(1) Whenever the commission finds, after hearing, that any rules, regulations, measurements or the standard thereof, practices, acts or services of any such gas company, electrical company, wastewater company, or water company are unjust, unreasonable, improper, insufficient, inefficient or inadequate, or that any service which may be reasonably demanded is not furnished, the commission shall fix the reasonable rules, regulations, measurements or the standard thereof, practices, acts or service to be thereafter furnished, imposed, observed and followed, and shall fix the same by order or rule.
(2) In ordering improvements to the service of any water company, the commission shall consult and coordinate with the department of health. In the event that a water company fails to comply with an order of the commission within the deadline specified in the order, the commission may request that the department petition the superior court of Thurston county to place the company in receivership pursuant to chapter 7.60 RCW.
(3) In ordering improvements to the service of any system of sewerage, the commission shall consult and coordinate with the department of health or the department of ecology, as appropriate to the agencies' jurisdiction. In the event that a wastewater company fails to comply with an order of the commission within the deadline specified in the order, the commission may petition the superior court of Thurston county to place the company in receivership pursuant to chapter 7.60 RCW.
[ 2011 c 214 § 14; 1989 c 207 § 5; 1961 c 14 § 80.28.040. Prior: 1911 c 117 § 54, part; RRS § 10390, part.]
NOTES:
Findings—Purpose—Limitation of chapter—Effective date—2011 c 214: See notes following RCW 80.04.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.050 - Tariff schedules to be filed with commission—Public schedules.

RCW 80.28.050
Tariff schedules to be filed with commission—Public schedules.
Every gas company, electrical company, wastewater company, and water company shall file with the commission and shall print and keep open to public inspection schedules in such form as the commission may prescribe, showing all rates and charges made, established or enforced, or to be charged or enforced, all forms of contract or agreement, all rules and regulations relating to rates, charges or service, used or to be used, and all general privileges and facilities granted or allowed by such gas company, electrical company, wastewater company, or water company.
[ 2011 c 214 § 15; 1961 c 14 § 80.28.050. Prior: 1911 c 117 § 27; RRS § 10363.]
NOTES:
Findings—Purpose—Limitation of chapter—Effective date—2011 c 214: See notes following RCW 80.04.010.
Duty of company to fix rate for wholesale power on request of public utility district: RCW 54.04.100.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.060 - Tariff changes—Statutory notice—Exception—Waiver of provisions during state of emergency.

RCW 80.28.060
Tariff changes—Statutory notice—Exception—Waiver of provisions during state of emergency.
(1) Unless the commission otherwise orders, no change may be made in any rate or charge or in any form of contract or agreement or in any rule or regulation relating to any rate, charge or service, or in any general privilege or facility which shall have been filed and published by a gas company, electrical company, wastewater company, or water company in compliance with the requirements of RCW 80.28.050 except after thirty days' notice to the commission and publication for thirty days, which notice must plainly state the changes proposed to be made in the schedule then in force and the time when the change will go into effect and all proposed changes must be shown by printing, filing and publishing new schedules, or shall be plainly indicated upon the schedules in force at the time and kept open to public inspection. Proposed changes may be suspended by the commission within thirty days or before the stated effective date of the proposed change, whichever is later. The commission, for good cause shown, may allow changes without requiring the thirty days' notice by duly filing, in such manner as it may direct, an order specifying the changes so to be made and the time when it takes effect. All such changes must be immediately indicated upon its schedules by the company affected. When any change is made in any rate or charge, form of contract or agreement, or any rule or regulation relating to any rate or charge or service, or in any general privilege or facility, the effect of which is to increase any rate or charge, then in existence, attention must be directed on the copy filed with the commission to such increase by some character immediately preceding or following the item in such schedule, such character to be in form as designated by the commission.
(2) During a state of emergency declared under RCW 43.06.010(12), the governor may waive or suspend the operation or enforcement of this section or any portion of this section or under any administrative rule, and issue any orders to facilitate the operation of state or local government or to promote and secure the safety and protection of the civilian population.
[ 2011 c 214 § 16; 2008 c 181 § 402; 1989 c 152 § 1; 1961 c 14 § 80.28.060. Prior: 1911 c 117 § 28; RRS § 10364.]
NOTES:
Findings—Purpose—Limitation of chapter—Effective date—2011 c 214: See notes following RCW 80.04.010.
Part headings not law—2008 c 181: See note following RCW 43.06.220.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.070 - Sliding scale of charges permitted.

RCW 80.28.070
Sliding scale of charges permitted.
Nothing in this chapter shall be taken to prohibit a gas company, electrical company or water company from establishing a sliding scale of charges, whereby a greater charge is made per unit for a lesser than a greater quantity for gas, electricity or water, or any service rendered or to be rendered.
[ 1961 c 14 § 80.28.070. Prior: 1911 c 117 § 32; RRS § 10368.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.074 - Legislative declaration.

RCW 80.28.074
Legislative declaration.
The legislature declares it is the policy of the state to:
(1) Preserve affordable energy services to the residents of the state;
(2) Maintain and advance the efficiency and availability of energy services to the residents of the state of Washington;
(3) Ensure that customers pay only reasonable charges for energy services;
(4) Permit flexible pricing of energy services.
[ 2021 c 188 § 5; 1988 c 166 § 1.]
NOTES:
Legislative directive—2021 c 188: See note following RCW 80.28.425.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.075 - Banded rates—Natural gas and electric services.

RCW 80.28.075
Banded rates—Natural gas and electric services.
Upon request by a natural gas company or an electrical company, the commission may approve a tariff that includes banded rates for any nonresidential natural gas or electric service that is subject to effective competition from energy suppliers not regulated by the utilities and transportation commission. "Banded rate" means a rate that has a minimum and maximum rate. Rates may be changed within the rate band upon such notice as the commission may order.
[ 1988 c 166 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.080 - Published rates to be charged—Exceptions.

RCW 80.28.080
Published rates to be charged—Exceptions.
(1)(a) Except as provided otherwise in this subsection, no gas company, electrical company, wastewater company, or water company may charge, demand, collect or receive a greater or less or different compensation for any service rendered or to be rendered than the rates and charges applicable to such service as specified in its schedule filed and in effect at the time, nor may any such company directly or indirectly refund or remit in any manner or by any device any portion of the rates or charges so specified, or furnish its product at free or reduced rates except to its employees and their families, and its officers, attorneys, and agents; to hospitals, charitable and eleemosynary institutions and persons engaged in charitable and eleemosynary work; to indigent and destitute persons; to national homes or state homes for disabled volunteer soldiers and soldiers' and sailors' homes.
For the purposes of this subsection (1):
(i) "Employees" includes furloughed, pensioned and superannuated employees, persons who have become disabled or infirm in the service of any such company; and
(ii) "Families" includes the families of those persons named in this proviso, the families of persons killed or dying in the service, also the families of persons killed, and the surviving spouse prior to remarriage, and the minor children during minority of persons who died while in the service of any of the companies named in this subsection (1).
(b) Water companies may furnish free or at reduced rates water for the use of the state, or for any project in which the state is interested.
(c) Gas companies, electrical companies, wastewater companies, and water companies may charge the defendant for treble damages awarded in lawsuits successfully litigated under RCW 80.28.240.
(2) No gas company, electrical company, wastewater company, or water company may extend to any person or corporation any form of contract or agreement or any rule or regulation or any privilege or facility except such as are regularly and uniformly extended to all persons and corporations under like circumstances.
[ 2011 c 214 § 17; 1985 c 427 § 2; 1973 1st ex.s. c 154 § 116; 1961 c 14 § 80.28.080. Prior: 1911 c 117 § 29; RRS § 10365.]
NOTES:
Findings—Purpose—Limitation of chapter—Effective date—2011 c 214: See notes following RCW 80.04.010.
Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 154: See note following RCW 2.12.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.090 - Unreasonable preference prohibited.

RCW 80.28.090
Unreasonable preference prohibited.
No gas company, electrical company, wastewater company, or water company may make or grant any undue or unreasonable preference or advantage to any person, corporation, or locality, or to any particular description of service in any respect whatsoever, or subject any particular person, corporation or locality or any particular description of service to any undue or unreasonable prejudice or disadvantage in any respect whatsoever.
[ 2011 c 214 § 18; 1961 c 14 § 80.28.090. Prior: 1911 c 117 § 30; RRS § 10366.]
NOTES:
Findings—Purpose—Limitation of chapter—Effective date—2011 c 214: See notes following RCW 80.04.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.100 - Rate discrimination prohibited—Exception.

RCW 80.28.100
Rate discrimination prohibited—Exception.
No gas company, electrical company, wastewater company, or water company may, directly or indirectly, or by any special rate, rebate, drawback or other device or method, charge, demand, collect or receive from any person or corporation a greater or less compensation for gas, electricity, wastewater company services, or water, or for any service rendered or to be rendered, or in connection therewith, except as authorized in this chapter, than it charges, demands, collects or receives from any other person or corporation for doing a like or contemporaneous service with respect thereto under the same or substantially similar circumstances or conditions.
[ 2011 c 214 § 19; 1961 c 14 § 80.28.100. Prior: 1911 c 117 § 31; RRS § 10367.]
NOTES:
Findings—Purpose—Limitation of chapter—Effective date—2011 c 214: See notes following RCW 80.04.010.
Reduced utility rates for low-income senior citizens and other low-income citizens: RCW 74.38.070.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.110 - Service to be furnished on reasonable notice.

RCW 80.28.110
Service to be furnished on reasonable notice.
Every gas company, electrical company, wastewater company, or water company, engaged in the sale and distribution of gas, electricity or water or the provision of wastewater company services, shall, upon reasonable notice, furnish to all persons and corporations who may apply therefor and be reasonably entitled thereto, suitable facilities for furnishing and furnish all available gas, electricity, wastewater company services, and water as demanded, except that a water company may not furnish water contrary to the provisions of water system plans approved under chapter 43.20 or 70A.100 RCW and wastewater companies may not provide services contrary to the approved general sewer plan.
[ 2021 c 65 § 97; 2011 c 214 § 20; 1990 c 132 § 5; 1961 c 14 § 80.28.110. Prior: 1911 c 117 § 33; RRS § 10369.]
NOTES:
Explanatory statement—2021 c 65: See note following RCW 53.54.030.
Findings—Purpose—Limitation of chapter—Effective date—2011 c 214: See notes following RCW 80.04.010.
Legislative findings—Severability—1990 c 132: See note following RCW 43.20.240.
Duty of company to fix rate for wholesale power on request of public utility district: RCW 54.04.100.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.120 - Effect on existing contracts.

RCW 80.28.120
Effect on existing contracts.
Every gas, water, wastewater, or electrical company owning, operating or managing a plant or system for the distribution and sale of gas, water or electricity, or the provision of wastewater company services to the public for hire is, and is held to be, a public service company as to such plant or system and as to all gas, water, wastewater company services, or electricity distributed or furnished therefrom, whether such gas, water, wastewater company services, or electricity be sold wholesale or retail or be distributed wholly to the general public or in part as surplus gas, water, wastewater company services, or electricity to manufacturing or industrial concerns or to other public service companies or municipalities for redistribution. Nothing in this title may be construed to prevent any gas company, electrical company or water company from continuing to furnish its product or the use of its lines, equipment or service under any contract or contracts in force on June 7, 1911, at the rates fixed in such contract or contracts. However, the commission has power, in its discretion, to direct by order that such contract or contracts be terminated by the company party thereto and thereupon such contract or contracts must be terminated by such company as and when directed by such order.
[ 2011 c 214 § 21; 1961 c 14 § 80.28.120. Prior: 1933 c 165 § 1; 1911 c 117 § 34; RRS § 10370.]
NOTES:
Findings—Purpose—Limitation of chapter—Effective date—2011 c 214: See notes following RCW 80.04.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.130 - Repairs, improvements, changes, additions, or extensions may be directed.

RCW 80.28.130
Repairs, improvements, changes, additions, or extensions may be directed.
Whenever the commission finds, after hearing had upon its own motion or upon complaint, that repairs or improvements, to, or changes in, any gas plant, electrical plant, system of sewerage, or water system ought to be made, or that any additions or extensions should reasonably be made thereto, in order to promote the security or convenience of the public or employees, or in order to secure adequate service or facilities for manufacturing, distributing or supplying gas, electricity, wastewater company services, or water, the commission may enter an order directing that such reasonable repairs, improvements, changes, additions or extensions of such gas plant, electrical plant, system of sewerage, or water system be made.
[ 2011 c 214 § 22; 1961 c 14 § 80.28.130. Prior: 1911 c 117 § 70; RRS § 10406.]
NOTES:
Findings—Purpose—Limitation of chapter—Effective date—2011 c 214: See notes following RCW 80.04.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.140 - Inspection of gas and water meters.

RCW 80.28.140
Inspection of gas and water meters.
The commission may appoint inspectors of gas and water meters whose duty it shall be when required by the commission to inspect, examine, prove and ascertain the accuracy of any and all gas and water meters used or intended to be used for measuring or ascertaining the quantity of gas for light, heat or power, or the quantity of water furnished for any purpose by any public service company to or for the use of any person or corporation, and when found to be or made to be correct such inspectors shall seal all such meters and each of them with some suitable device to be prescribed by the commission.
No public service company shall thereafter furnish, set or put in use any gas or water meter which shall not have been inspected, proved and sealed by an inspector of the commission under such rules and regulations as the commission may prescribe.
[ 1961 c 14 § 80.28.140. Prior: 1911 c 117 § 74, part; RRS § 10410, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.150 - Inspection of electric meters.

RCW 80.28.150
Inspection of electric meters.
The commission may appoint inspectors of electric meters whose duty it shall be when required by the commission to inspect, examine, prove and ascertain the accuracy of any and all electric meters used or intended to be used for measuring and ascertaining the quantity of electric current furnished for light, heat or power by any public service company to or for the use of any person or corporation, and to inspect, examine and ascertain the accuracy of all apparatus for testing and proving the accuracy of electric meters, and when found to be or made to be correct the inspector shall stamp or mark all such meters and apparatus with some suitable device to be prescribed by the commission. No public service company shall furnish, set or put in use any electric meters the type of which shall not have been approved by the commission.
[ 1961 c 14 § 80.28.150. Prior: 1911 c 117 § 74, part; RRS § 10410, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.160 - Testing apparatus to be furnished.

RCW 80.28.160
Testing apparatus to be furnished.
Every gas company, electrical company and water company shall prepare and maintain such suitable premises, apparatus and facilities as may be required and approved by the commission for testing and proving the accuracy of gas, electric or water meters furnished for use by it by which apparatus every meter may be tested.
[ 1961 c 14 § 80.28.160. Prior: 1911 c 117 § 74, part; RRS § 10410, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.170 - Testing at consumer's request.

RCW 80.28.170
Testing at consumer's request.
If any consumer to whom a meter has been furnished shall request the commission in writing to inspect such meter, the commission shall have the same inspected and tested, and if the same, on being so tested, shall be found to be more than four percent if an electric meter, or more than two percent if a gas meter, or more than two percent if a water meter, defective or incorrect to the prejudice of the consumer, the expense of such inspection and test shall be borne by the gas company, electrical company or water company, and if the same, on being so tested shall be found to be correct within the limits of error prescribed by the provisions of this section, the expense of such inspection and test shall be borne by the consumer.
[ 1961 c 14 § 80.28.170. Prior: 1911 c 117 § 74, part; RRS § 10410, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.180 - Rules and regulations.

RCW 80.28.180
Rules and regulations.
The commission shall prescribe such rules and regulations to carry into effect the provisions of RCW 80.28.140 through 80.28.170 as it may deem necessary, and shall fix the uniform and reasonable charges for the inspection and testing of meters upon complaint.
[ 1961 c 14 § 80.28.180. Prior: 1911 c 117 § 74, part; RRS § 10410, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.185 - Water companies or wastewater companies within counties—Commission may regulate.

RCW 80.28.185
Water companies or wastewater companies within counties—Commission may regulate.
The commission may develop and enter into an agreement with a county to carry out the regulatory functions of this chapter with regard to water companies or wastewater companies located within the boundary of that county. The duration of the agreement, the duties to be performed, and the remuneration to be paid by the commission are subject to agreement by the commission and the county.
[ 2011 c 214 § 23; 1989 c 207 § 6.]
NOTES:
Findings—Purpose—Limitation of chapter—Effective date—2011 c 214: See notes following RCW 80.04.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.200 - Gas companies—Refunds of charges.

RCW 80.28.200
Gas companies—Refunds of charges.
Whenever any gas company whose rates are subject to the jurisdiction of the commission shall receive any refund of amounts charged and collected from it on account of natural gas purchased by it, by reason of any reduction of rates or disallowance of an increase in rates of the seller of such natural gas pursuant to an order of the federal power commission, whether such refund shall be directed by the federal power commission or by any court upon review of such an order or shall otherwise accrue to such company, the commission shall have power after a hearing, upon its own motion, upon complaint, or upon the application of such company, to determine whether or not such refund should be passed on, in whole or in part, to the consumers of such company and to order such company to pass such refund on to its consumers, in the manner and to the extent determined just and reasonable by the commission.
[ 1961 c 14 § 80.28.200. Prior: 1955 c 316 § 5.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.220 - Gas companies—Right of eminent domain—Purposes.

RCW 80.28.220
Gas companies—Right of eminent domain—Purposes.
Every corporation having for one of its principal purposes the transmission, distribution, sale, or furnishing of natural gas or other type gas for light, heat, or power and holding and owning a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the utilities and transportation commission authorizing the operation of a gas plant, may appropriate, by condemnation, lands and property and interests therein, for the transmission, distribution, sale, or furnishing of such natural gas or other type gas through gas mains or pipelines under the provisions of chapter 8.20 RCW.
[ 1961 c 14 § 80.28.220. Prior: 1957 c 191 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.230 - Gas companies—Use for purpose acquired exclusive—Disposition of property.

RCW 80.28.230
Gas companies—Use for purpose acquired exclusive—Disposition of property.
Any property or interest acquired as provided in RCW 80.28.220 shall be used exclusively for the purposes for which it was acquired: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That if any such property be sold or otherwise disposed of by said corporations, such sale or disposition shall be by public sale or disposition and advertised in the manner of public sales in the county where such property is located.
[ 1961 c 14 § 80.28.230. Prior: 1957 c 191 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.250 - Water companies—Fire hydrants.

RCW 80.28.250
Water companies—Fire hydrants.
A city, town or county may, by ordinance or resolution, require a water company to maintain fire hydrants in the area served by the water company. The utilities and transportation commission has no authority to waive this obligation.
[ 1986 c 119 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.270 - Water or wastewater companies—Extension, installation, or connection charges.

RCW 80.28.270
Water or wastewater companies—Extension, installation, or connection charges.
The commission's jurisdiction over the rates, charges, practices, acts or services of any water company or wastewater company includes any aspect of line extension, service installation, or service connection. If the charges for such services are not set forth by specific amount in the company's tariff filed with the commission pursuant to RCW 80.28.050, the commission shall determine the fair, just, reasonable, and sufficient charge for such extension, installation, or connection. In any such proceeding in which there is no specified tariffed rate, the burden is on the company to prove that its proposed charges are fair, just, reasonable, and sufficient.
[ 2011 c 214 § 25; 1991 c 101 § 2.]
NOTES:
Findings—Purpose—Limitation of chapter—Effective date—2011 c 214: See notes following RCW 80.04.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.275 - Water or wastewater companies—Assumption of substandard water system or system of sewerage—Limited immunity from liability.

RCW 80.28.275
Water or wastewater companies—Assumption of substandard water system or system of sewerage—Limited immunity from liability.
A water company or a wastewater company assuming responsibility for a water system or system of sewerage that is not in compliance with state or federal requirements, and its agents and employees, are immune from lawsuits or causes of action, based on noncompliance with state or federal requirements, which predate the date of assuming responsibility and continue after the date of assuming responsibility, provided that the water company or wastewater company has submitted and is complying with a plan and schedule of improvements approved by the department of health or the department of ecology, as appropriate to the agencies' jurisdiction. This immunity expires on the earlier of the date the plan of improvements is completed or four years from the date of assuming responsibility. This immunity does not apply to intentional injuries, fraud, or bad faith and is subject to the provisions of law governing clean water as referenced by the commission by rule.
[ 2011 c 214 § 26; 1994 c 292 § 9.]
NOTES:
Findings—Purpose—Limitation of chapter—Effective date—2011 c 214: See notes following RCW 80.04.010.
Findings—Intent—1994 c 292: See note following RCW 57.04.050.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.280 - Compressed natural gas—Motor vehicle refueling stations—Public interest.

RCW 80.28.280
Compressed natural gas—Motor vehicle refueling stations—Public interest.
(1) The legislature finds that compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas offers [offer] significant potential to reduce vehicle and vessel emissions and to significantly decrease dependence on petroleum-based fuels. The legislature also finds that well-developed and convenient refueling systems are imperative if compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas are to be widely used by the public. The legislature declares that the development of compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas motor vehicle refueling stations and vessel refueling facilities are in the public interest. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, nothing in this section and RCW 80.28.290 is intended to alter the regulatory practices of the commission or allow the subsidization of one ratepayer class by another.
(2) When a liquefied natural gas facility owned by a natural gas company serves both a private customer operating marine vessels and the Washington state ferries or any other public entity, the rate charged by the natural gas company to the Washington state ferries or other public entity may not be more than the rate charged to the private customer operating marine vessels.
[ 2014 c 216 § 501; 1991 c 199 § 216.]
NOTES:
Effective date—Findings—Tax preference performance statement—2014 c 216: See notes following RCW 82.38.030.
Finding—1991 c 199: See note following RCW 70A.15.1005.
Effective dates—1991 c 199: See RCW 70A.15.9003.
Clean fuel: RCW 70A.25.120.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.28 - Gas, Electrical, and Water Companies. › 80.28.290 - Compressed natural gas—Refueling stations—Identify barriers.

RCW 80.28.290
Compressed natural gas—Refueling stations—Identify barriers.
The commission shall identify barriers to the development of refueling stations for vehicles operating on compressed natural gas, and shall develop policies to remove such barriers. In developing such policies, the commission shall consider providing rate incentives to encourage natural gas companies to invest in the infrastructure required by such refueling stations.
[ 1991 c 199 § 217.]
NOTES:
Finding—1991 c 199: See note following RCW 70A.15.1005.
Effective dates—1991 c 199: See RCW 70A.15.9003.