NOTICE: The UTC office will be closed from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. The building will reopen to the public from noon to 5 p.m.

UTC Connections Newsletter

The commission's consumer e-newsletter, UTC Connections, contains current information about regulated companies rates and services, information on saving money on utility bills, finding utility bill assistance, consumer news and more.

To subscribe to UTC Connections, click here.

UTC Connections Newsletter

Mar. 2023

  • PEAR External Advisory Group
  • Consumer alert: Missed garbage pickup
  • March 5-11 is Consumer Protection Week
  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
  • UTC Spotlight: Pipeline Safety Division
  • April is National Safe Digging Month
  • You may be eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit

Newsletter Archive

2022

Oct. 2022

  • PEAR Workgroup
  • Reminder: Utility Bill Assistance Available
  • Customer Fees and Notice Rulemaking
  • UTC 101 Workshop
  • UTC Building Open by Appointment Only

Feb. 2022

  • UTC Guidance on Participatory Funding
  • Garbage Collection and Delays
  • Reporting Phone Outages
  • April is Safe Digging Month
2021

Nov. 2021

  • CCOPS looking for public involvement
  • Utility disconnections resume

 

May 2021

  • Utility bill assistance
  • Streaming information for UTC meetings
  • Mandatory 10-digit dialing in Washington
  • Utility scams

 

2020

 

August 2020

  • Smart meter news
  • Managing utility bills during COVID-19 pandemic
  • Lifeline Awareness week

February 2020

  • Safe Digging Month
  • Phone and Broadband Assistance
  • Community Solar
  • Consumer Protection
2019

October 2019

  • Utility scams
  • Natural gas rates
  • 2020 Census

 

July 2019

April 2019

  • New headquarters
  • Call before you dig
  • Consumer Protection
  • Washington New Building Summer
  • Energy conservation
  • Recycling rate increases

 

2018

October 2018

  • Winter energy conservation
  • Community solar
  • Consumer protections
  • Utility scams

 

July 2018

March 2018

  • Gas leaks reminder
  • Hiring a mover
  • Rail safety
  • Save water
  • New executive director
  • Advanced meters

 

2016

June 2016

  • UTC Website Survey
  • Ride the Ducks Update
  • Energy Companies Request New Rates
  • Don't Drown in Utility Bills this Summer Summer
  • DIY Reminder: Call Before You Dig
  • Summertime is Moving Time!
  • Mover's Court Update
2015

December 2015

  • Ride the Ducks Accident and Investigation
  • Be Prepared for Winter Storms
  • Perform a Home Energy Audit
  • UTC Movers Court Update 

 

January 2015

  • Introducing Commissioner Rendahl
  • How to Protect Yourself From Back-Bills
  • Scam Alert! 

March 2015

  • Save Energy, Save Money
  • Beyond Wireless: Local Calling Options
  • Dig Safe this Spring 

May 2015

  • Legislative Update
  • Protect Your Move
  • Save Water This Summer
  • Stay Cool Without Breaking the Bank 

August 2015

  • Good-Bye WTAP, Hello Lifeline
  • Prepare Now, Save Later
  • LIHEAP Opens Oct. 1

 

2014

October 2014

  • Stay Warm this Winter
  • Energy Assistance
  • In Your Corner Outreach Campaign 

 

May 2014

  • Dig Smart this Summer
  • Save Money, Conserve Water
  • Learn How to Read Your Phone Bill
  • Cool Off Your Energy Bill - Budget Billing
  • Telephone Assistance Awareness 

 July 2014

 

2013

December 2013

  • Utility Scam Alert
  • Energy Assistance

 

April 2013

  • Safe Digging Month
  • Help for High Heating Bills From the Consumer Man
  • Staying Safe Around Trains and Tracks
  • Smart Recycling
  • Washington HealthPlan Finder

 

2012

September 2012

  • Message from the Chairman - Staying Connected
  • What's Up (and Down) with Energy Rates
  • Back to School Train Safety
  • Fall Into Safe Digging

 

March 2012

  • Message from the Chairman - Help for Heating Bills
  • Energy Companies Top Consumer Complaint List
  • Consumer Protection Week
  • Can You Dig It? 

May 2012

  • Protect your Move
  • Energy Rates
  • Don't Dig Into Trouble This Spring

 

2011

October 2011

  • Natural Gas Rates
  • E-Billing Security Tips
  • Energy Assistance Problem? Call the Commission!

 

March 2011

  • April is Safe Digging Month!
  • Is That Transportation Company Permitted? Find Out Now!

June 2011

  • Energy Savings
  • Moving?
  • Energy Efficient Landscaping
  • Smart Summer Digging
  • Energy Rate Cases (Avista Corporation and Puget Sound Energy)

 

2010

November 2010

  • Managing Winter Energy Bills
  • Need Telephone Assistance?
  • Got Energy Vampires?
  • Natural Gas Safety
  • Power Outage Survival Tips

 

Jan 2010

  • Help for Heating Bills
  • Important Info for Verizon Customers
  • Shutting Down Illegal Movers
  • Census 2010

Mar 2010

  • Energy-Efficiency Challenge
  • Consumer Protection Week
  • Call Before You Dig
  • City Taxes on Your Phone Bill
  • Fix-A-Leak
  • DIY Energy Audit

May 2010

  • Verizon-Frontier Sale
  • Energy Assistance Helps 9.5 Million
  • Appliance Rebates
  • Illegal Movers
  • AARP Money Smarts Event

July 2010

  • Are You on Facebook?
  • Moving? Don't Sweat It!
  • Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency Upgrades
  • Summer Train Track Safety Tips
  • What is VOIP Phone Service?
  • Summer Energy Efficiency Tips
  • Utility Locate Problem? Call the Commission!
  • What Can the UTC Do For You?
  • Join the Conservation Conversation!
  • Do Not Call Registry

Sep 2010

  • Are you on Facebook?
  • Need Telephone Assistance?
  • Avista Rate Case
  • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

 

2009

Oct 2009

  • Using Pre-Paid Calling Cards
  • No Small Change
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Prepare for the Winter Chill
  • Are You On Facebook?

 

Feb 2009

  • UTC Welcomes New Chairman
  • High Heating Bills?
  • Protecting Consumers
  • Legislative Bills
  • Storm Guidelines for Garbage Pickup
  • Enforcement Action Taken Against Illegal Mover

Apr 2009

  • Busted! Putting the Brakes on Illegal Movers!
  • Moving? Read this first!
  • Energy Spring Cleaning
  • Call Before You Dig
  • Safe Drinking Water

 

 

Aug 2009

  • Telephone Assistance
  • Effective Complaining 

 

Jul 2009

  • Consumer Alert: Illegal Movers
  • Stay Safe Around Trains and Tracks
  • Natural Gas Prices Fall
  • Smart Recycling Check your Meter
  • When to Call the Commission
  • Choosing a Long Distance Company

     

    2008

     

     

    Dec 2008

    • All My Sons Movers
    • Cancelled Energy Rebates
    • Disconnected?
    • Electricity Vampires

     

    Jun 2008

    • Be Meter Savvy
    • Can You Dig It?
    • Water Wisely
    • Energy Assistance Available to PSE Customers
    • What Can the UTC Do For You?

    Sept 2008

    • Call Before You Dig
    • Energy Savings
    • Natural Gas Outlook
    • Utility Assistance
    • Energy Saving Holiday Lights
    Mar 2008

     

    • National Consumer Protection Week
    • Does It Make Cents? (Best Long Distance Rates)
    • Medical Emergencies
    • Complain Effectively

    Jan 2008

    • Are You Moving Soon?
    • PSE Requests Rate Increase
    • Talkin' Trash
    • Hot Tip (Downed Power Lines)
    • Surges Happen
    2007

    Fall 2007

    • New for Bundled Services
    • Vehicle Safety Inspections
    • Can You See Me Now?
    • Top Winter Tips
    • The UTC Can Help