The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (commission) regulates many utilities that directly impact your life and community. This guide outlines what the commission can help you with when it comes to your electricity, natural gas, water, telephone, residential moving, garbage and recycling services. It also includes contact information for unregulated problems you may need help with. The commission's staff of Consumer Protection Specialists are available at 1-888-333-WUTC (9882) or by email at consumer@utc.wa.gov.
Call Before You Dig
The Call Before You Dig Law (RCW 19.122), requires anyone digging more than twelve (12) inches into the ground call 811 and have any underground utilities located at least two business days before they dig.
If you have any problems with a utility locate — if the locate doesn't happen, is late, incomplete or inaccurate—call the commission. 1-888-333-WUTC (9882
| Electric |
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| Call the Commission |
The UTC Does Not Regulate |
|---|
- Investor-owned electric companies such as:
- Puget Sound Energy
- Avista Utilities
- Pacificorp
- Rates and charges
- Meter and billing accuracy
- Reliability of the electric service
- Quality of service
|
- Municipally-owned, Public Utility Districts, Cooperative electric utilities such as:
- Seattle City Light
- Tacoma Powerand Light, etc.
- Electrical wiring inside customer's home
- Damage claims
- Physical placement or relocation of utility poles
|
| Natural Gas |
|---|
| Call the Commission |
The UTC Does Not Regulate |
|---|
- Investor-owned natural gas companies such as:
- Puget Sound Energy
- Avista Utilities
- Cascade Natural Gas
- Northwest Natural Gas
- Rates and charges
- Meter and billing accuracy
- Reliability of the natural gas service
- Pipeline safety oversight
- Damage prevention—Call Before You Dig
- Quality of service
|
- Heating oil
- Liquid propane gas rates
- Damage claims
- House piping
- Gas pipeline siting
|
| Water |
|---|
| Call the Commission |
The UTC Does Not Regulate |
|---|
- Investor-owned water companies with over
100 customers or average annual revenue of $471 per customer
- Rates and charges
- Meter and billing accuracy
|
- Municipally owned water companies
- Public Utility Districts
- Local improvement districts
- Water districts
- Homeowner's associations
- Water treatment companies
- Damage claims
|
| Telecommunications |
|---|
| Call the Commission |
The UTC Does Not Regulate |
|---|
- Local service providers—landline telephone only
- In-state long distance telephone services
- Network wiring up to the network interface device (box on home or building)
- Proper authorization of carrier change (slamming)
- Billing problems
- Quality of service
- Number portability
- Pay phone price disclosure and operator services
|
- Wireless Services (AG-see below)
- Cable or satellite television (FCC-see below)
- Interstate or international telephone services
(FCC-see below)
- Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) (AG- see below)
- Charges for pay per call—900 numbers
- Directory advertising
- Solicitation call (FTC-see below)
- DSL problems (AG-see below)
- Bundled services (the commission does regulate a landline within a bundle)
|
| Solid Waste and Recycling |
|---|
| Call the Commission |
The UTC Does Not Regulate |
|---|
- Privately-owned solid waste and recycling companies in the state of Washington, not operating under a city contract
- Solid waste and recycling service
- Rates and charges
|
- Municipally owned solid waste and recycling
- Standards and service-levels for recycling
- Hazardous waste
- Self-haul locations, such as garbage drop boxes and waste and recovery centers
- Damage claims
|
| Residential Movers |
|---|
| Call the Commission |
The UTC Does Not Regulate |
|---|
- Residential moves within the state of Washington
- Rates and charges
- Loss and damage claims
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- Interstate moves (FMCSA-see below)
- Commercial or office moves
|