WSR 01-12-053

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION

COMMISSION

[ Docket No. A-010648 -- Filed June 1, 2001, 3:38 p.m. ]

     Subject of Possible Rule Making: Examine the need to reorganize, revise, repeal, and adopt rules governing the conduct of business before the commission, including rules governing formal proceedings, such as the rules presently codified in chapter 480-09 WAC, Procedure.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 80.01.040(4) and 34.05.020.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: It is important that there be clearly stated methods and opportunities to interact with the commission in adjudications, rule makings, and in the conduct of other business. The commission's experience since it last revised rules governing the conduct of business before the commission demonstrate the need to inquire into existing procedures and consider whether new or amended rules are required. New or amended rules may be needed to improve the handling of confidential documents, discovery in adjudicative proceedings, and other processes routinely undertaken in the conduct of commission business.

     Process for Developing New Rule:      Agency study; and the commission will schedule one or more workshops with representatives of affected constituencies in a manner designed to develop consensus among affected interests regarding any rule proposal. The first workshop is scheduled for June 22, 2001, at 1:30 p.m., at the commission's office in Olympia, Washington. The commission will ask for initial written comments by July 13, 2001, and will provide the opportunity for additional comments.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting the Secretary, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, P.O. Box 47250, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA 98504-7250, phone (360) 664-1174, fax (360) 586-1150.

     For specific information regarding opportunities for written comment, opportunities for participation in workshops, and to ensure receipt of further information concerning this rule making, please see below.

     Interested persons may submit comments, as specified below, or may ask to be included in the commission's list of interested persons for the proceeding.

     NOTICE OF WORKSHOP: An initial workshop will be held on June 22, 2001, beginning at 1:30 p.m., in Commission Room 108, First Floor, Chandler Plaza, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA. Although interested persons are strongly encouraged to participate in person, the commission's teleconference bridge line will be available for this workshop. A limited number of teleconference ports are available and will be assigned one to an organization, first come first served. Persons wishing to attend via the teleconference bridge line must contact Kippi Walker at (360) 664-1139 no later than 5:00 p.m., June 20, 2001. Questions may be addressed to Dennis Moss at (360) 664-1164 or via e-mail at dmoss@wutc.wa.gov. The commission will provide written notice of any additional preproposal workshops to all commenters and to any other persons who specifically ask to receive future notices in this rule-making proceeding.

     WRITTEN COMMENTS: Written comments in response to the CR-101 from persons interested in the subject matter of this proposed rule making may be filed with the commission secretary, referencing Docket No. A-010648, not later than July 13, 2001. All commenters are asked, but not required, to file their comments electronically. The commission prefers to receive comments either via e-mail attachment (addressed to records@wutc.wa.gov) or on a 3 1/2 inch IBM formatted high-density disk, in .pdf format and either MSWord 97 or later, or WordPerfect version 5.1 or later, labeled with the docket number of this proceeding and the commenter's name and type of software used. If you are unable to file your comments electronically, please file the original and sixteen copies of your comments with the commission secretary at the address indicated above. The commission may offer additional opportunities to provide written comments. Interested persons may file additional written comments in response to any such invitation. Interested persons may also attend and participate in the workshop described above and in any other workshop that may be scheduled.


NOTICE

     TO CONTINUE RECEIVING NOTICES AND INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RULEMAKING -- The commission wants to ensure its mailings are sent to persons who are interested in the topic and want to receive that information. Any person who submits comments will automatically continue to receive notices and information. If you do not submit comments but wish to be on the mailing list for this rulemaking, please advise the records center by one of the following methods: (1) Send a note with your name, address (or a copy of your mailing label), and telephone and fax numbers referencing Docket No. A-010648, and the words "Please include me on the mailing list"; or (2) e-mail your name, address, telephone and fax numbers, referencing Docket No. A-010648, and the words "Please include me on the mailing list" to records@wutc.wa.gov. Please note that all information in the mailings will be accessible through the Commission's Internet web site at http://www.wutc.wa.gov/. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT COMMENTS OR ADVISE THE RECORDS CENTER OF YOUR INTEREST, YOU MAY NOT RECEIVE FURTHER MAILINGS OR INFORMATION ON THE RULE MAKING.

June 1, 2001

Carole J. Washburn

Secretary

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