Washington OKs Utility Transfer for Recreational Use

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission has agreed with an electric utility’s assertions that it may lawfully grant a license for use of utility-owned land for purposes of public recreation, with no associated rate-making or accounting treatment necessary since the utility, Puget Sound Energy (PSE), will not be transferring any actual ownership interest in real property. At issue are certain right-of-way (ROW) corridors held by the utility in King County, which county had requested authority to manage and use the ROWs for public recreational purposes.