Background
In 2023, the UTC began working on a multi-year plan to address equity in our regulatory work.
To fulfill this goal, the Commission opened the Equity docket (docket number A-230217). The Equity docket aims to provide guidance and resources for regulated energy companies. The intent of this guidance is to assist regulated companies in creating equity action plans to increase collaboration with the impacted communities they serve.
The UTC’s Equity docket uses a similar framework to the Energy Equity Project and will individually address each equity tenet via a policy statement
- Recognition Justice;
- Procedural Equity;
- Distributional Equity; and
- Restorative Justice.
Current Phase
Using this framework, the UTC intends to write policy statements addressing each individual tenet. The Commission is currently in phase two of this docket, addressing Distributional Equity.
During phase two, the UTC aims to provide guidance on what it means to “equitably distribute” benefits and burdens as referenced in the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA).
Educational Resources
To promote broader and more meaningful participation in Commission proceedings, the Commission has developed simple and accessible resources. The UTC provides these resources with the intent of educating the public on what the Commission does, and how we do this work.
View the Commission's Educational Resources
PF Templates
The UTC’s Participatory Funding program enables energy utilities to provide financial assistance to certain organizations that represent broad customer interests in regulatory proceedings before the Commission. These funds (known as participatory or intervenor funding) are intended to prioritize organizations or entities representing highly-impacted communities and vulnerable populations.
While organizations are free to use their preferred documents and formatting for participatory funding documents, we offer these templates for those organizations unfamiliar with the UTC’s processes but interested in participating. Interested persons may use the templates provided on Educational Resources webpage.
The UTC Administrative Law Division reviews these documents upon receipt and are available by email at ALD@utc.wa.gov if you have any questions regarding the Participatory Funding process.
Learn more about Participatory Funding
Data Dashboard
Pursuant to the UTC’s May 2025 Interim Procedural Equity Policy Statement, the Commission has developed a data module with the intent to update the module every six months. As the data contained in this module is a summary of datapoints across multiple dockets, this data is intended for illustrative purposes only. If you wish to view current data with additional context, please review the specific docket where these datapoints originate.
Please note the Commission provides this data using PowerBI. Staff acknowledges this tool may be inaccessible for those using assistive technologies or mobile applications, however, PowerBI is the only data visualization available for use at this time. The Commission endeavors to continue iterating and refining this data module to enhance accessibility for all interested persons.
PBR Data
Performance-Based Regulation (PBR) is a way to measure how well utilities serve customers and meet public goals. This form of regulation helps align utility profits with what matters to customers and communities.
Instead of only looking at how much utilities spend, PBR tracks results. These results can include reliability, affordability, equity, and environmental progress. Utilities may receive financial rewards or penalties based on their performance.
To measure results in these areas, regulated utilities report data and information on an annual basis. The Commission encourages interested persons to review selected PBR information in the data module. For more information on the PBR process or how you can get involved, view this page for updates and participation opportunities.
How To Get Involved in the Equity Docket
There are several ways to learn more and get involved in this work.
- Contact the UTC Records Division by email at Records@utc.wa.gov to sign-up for the UTC mailing list to receive notifications and updates for this docket;
- Email us at Equityfeedback@utc.wa.gov to contact equity-focused staff members to learn more about the UTC’s equity efforts;
- Call the UTC Consumer Protection division at (888) 333-9882 to learn more about how you can participate in future workshops or open meetings; and/or
- Contact your utility to learn more about Equity Advisory Groups.
UTC Contact Information
Andy Sellards
Andrew.Sellards@utc.wa.gov
360-664-1112