Weekly UTC Clean Energy Bulletin- August 24

Source: Utilities and Transportation Commission, August 24, 2021

New workshops, rulemakings, and upcoming dates

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC or commission) invites the public to participate in its work to implement Washington’s clean energy legislation.

The 2019 Clean Energy Transformation Act requires electric utilities to transition to a carbon-neutral supply of electricity by 2030 and source 100% of their electricity from renewable or non-carbon-emitting sources by 2045.

In the 2021-23 Omnibus Operating Appropriations Act, the commission received funding to “examine feasible and practical pathways for investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities to contribute their share to greenhouse gas emissions reductions as described in RCW 70A.45.020 [state law].”

The commission is conducting numerous rulemakings, workgroups, and other proceedings to implement in support of these bills and other recently enacted energy legislation.

New announcements

  • Commission headquarters remain closed to the public. Our staff are following Gov. Inslee’s phased reopening plan by teleworking. Open meetings and other official business will continue remotely during this closure. Please see the commission’s COVID-19 response page for more information on impacts to our operations and regulated industries. 
  • On Thursday, Aug. 19, the commission announced it is taking public comment and will host a workshop about legislation that grants statutory authority for energy utilities to provide financial assistance to certain organizations participating in commission-regulated regulatory processes. Comments are due Sept. 10, and the workshop will take place Sept 28. The notice, which includes questions for stakeholders to consider in their comments is available on the UTC website. Please see the event table below for more details on comment deadlines and the workshop.
Date               ItemDescription
Friday, Sept. 10Intervenor Funding Policy Statement (docket U-210595) – Comments dueThe commission requests written comments in response to legislation that grants statutory authority for energy utilities to provide financial assistance to certain organizations participating in regulatory processes before the commission.Comments are due at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 10.The notice of opportunity to comment, including specific questions to consider, can be found on the UTC website
Monday, Sept. 27
1 to 4 p.m.
Markets and CETA Compliance Rulemaking Joint Workshop with Department of Commerce (docket UE-210183)Commerce and the UTC will host a workshop on an issue to be determined in the future.The meeting will be held virtually on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 873 1856 3056 Passcode: Energy  

Join by phone: 253-215-8782 Meeting ID: 873 1856 3056 Passcode: 814514
Tuesday, Sept. 28
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Intervenor Funding Policy Statement (docket U-210595)WorkshopThe UTC will host a workshop to discuss implementation of legislation that grants statutory authority for energy utilities to provide financial assistance to certain organizations participating in commission-regulated regulatory processes.An agenda and meeting information will be provided in mid-September.
Monday, Oct. 4
1 to 5 p.m.
Markets and CETA Compliance Rulemaking Joint Workshop with Department of Commerce (docket UE-210183)Commerce and the UTC will host a workshop on an issue to be determined in the future.The meeting will be held virtually on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 842 3247 0691 Passcode: Energy

Join by phone: 253-215-8782. Meeting ID: 873 1856 3056 Passcode: 073127