About Public Comments
If you received a notice from your utility company about a rate or service change, the commission wants to hear from you. You can send the commission a comment about the change and whether you support, oppose, or are undecided about the company’s proposal.
Public comments become part of the public record and is subject to public inspection under the Public Records Law - RCW 42.17.260.
To submit a comment:
- Fill out the Online Comment Form;
- E-mail comments@utc.wa.gov;
- Call toll-free 1-888-333-WUTC (9882); or
- Write the UTC at: P.O Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-725.
- Please include:
- Company name.
- Docket number (if available).
- Your name and address.
- Whether you support, oppose, or are undecided about the company’s proposal.
- Any questions that you have.
- Please include:
About Commission Cases
When a regulated company wants to change their rates or services, they must file a request with the commission and present their case before the three-member commission. The commission will take action (make a decision) during a regularly scheduled Open Meeting where they may approve, reject, suspend, or modify their request or at the conclusion of a formal case.
Open Meetings
Most company requests are processed at the commission's regularly scheduled Open Meeting. The commissioners meet to decide on utility and transportation cases, and the public can make verbal comments for the commissioners’ consideration. For more information on Open Meetings and recent requests made by regulated companies, visit our Open Meetings page.
Formal Cases
If the commission decides to suspend a company’s request, the formal hearing process begins. If that happens, your comment will be given to Public Counsel, a section of the Washington State Office of the Attorney General, to be entered into the record. Public Counsel represents consumers in many telecommunications, electric, natural gas, and water cases.