Social Distancing in the Most Collaborative Industry
Companies, Cooperatives, Commissions
Like me, are you down with the coronavirus blues too? True, that’s far better than testing positive.
Fortnightly Magazine - April 2020
A Day at Washington State's Utilities and Transportation Commission
State Commissions
Conversations with Washington State UTC’s commissioners, directors and more.
Washington State UTC: David Danner
Chair
“The Clean Energy Transformation Act. That’s the big issue. How do you ensure reliability and ensure the prices or rates are stable and predictable as we go coal free in 2025, to net carbon neutral in 2030, to a hundred percent carbon neutral in 2045?”
Washington State UTC: Jay Balasbas
Commissioner
“As we think about implementing the clean energy law, how do we at the same time change our ratemaking process to be more forward-looking, as well as give the utilities every chance of success?”
Washington State UTC: Ann Rendahl
Commissioner
“CETA requires that utilities ensure that energy is affordable, reliable, and that they make the transition to one hundred percent clean energy in an equitable manner.”
Washington State UTC: Executive and Policy Directors
Directors
“We’ve had flat to declining revenues and increasing cost pressures over the last several years. We’re looking at how to adjust some regulatory fees to set the Commission on firm financial footing.”
Washington State UTC: Directors
Regulatory Services and Energy Directors
“CETA is a total change in how we approach utility investment. We still have ratemaking standards to meet, we still have lowest reasonable costs. CETA does have an off-ramp if costs get out of control, in a two percent cost cap.”
Washington State UTC: Law
Administrative Law Director, Judge, Paralegal
“In rulemakings and open meeting items, there’s free conversation among Staff, Commissioners, and Judges. In adjudication, the ex parte wall comes up, and only Policy, Judges, and Commissioners can talk with each other, and the rest of Staff take on an advocacy role.”
Washington State UTC: Engineering
Safety Director and Engineers
“On any one day you could be dealing with a large gas transmission or hazardous liquid company at the interstate level or testifying in front of our state legislature.”
Washington State UTC: Telecommunications, Water and Transportation
Assistant Directors
“We work closely with the state Broadband Office. The Commission has been directed by the legislature to review technical feasibilities of any of the plans the Broadband Office approves.”