(1) Each water company must submit a draft
customer notice to the commission for review at least one week before the
company's planned printing date for distribution.
(2) At a minimum, the water company must
notify:
(a) Customers and potential customers
who may be affected by the water company's proposal; and
(b) The public affairs section of the
commission.
(3)
Customers must receive notice thirty days before the requested effective date
when a water company proposes to:
(a) Increase
rates;
(b) Change terms and/or
conditions of an existing service;
(c) Change the ownership or control of the
operating company (see WAC
480-143-210 (Transfer customer
notice requirements) for content of notice);
(d) Institute a charge for a service that was
formerly provided without charge; or
(e) Eliminate or grandfather any
service.
(4) Content of
notice for rate change - The notice to customers must contain, at a minimum,
the following:
IMPORTANT NOTICE
(a)
Date
(b) (Insert water company
name) has filed for approval from the Washington utilities and transportation
commission to increase rates (insert total annual revenue). If approved, the
rates will be effective on (insert effective date).
(c) (Clearly explain the reason for the
proposal - be specific.)
|
Current Rates/Services
|
Proposed Rates
|
|
$
|
$
|
(d)
If you have questions about the proposed filing and how it will affect you,
please call (insert company name & office phone number). If you have
questions about the rate making process, you may contact the Washington
Utilities and Transportation Commission at the following address: WUTC, 1300 S.
Evergreen Park Drive S.W., P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250;
1-800-562-6150 (toll-free) or by e-mail comments@wutc.wa.gov.
(e) If you would like to comment on this
proposal, it is important for you to do so now. Comments must be submitted in
writing or presented at the commission's open meeting to be included as part of
the formal record. The commission is interested in receiving your views
regarding this proposal whether in favor or not. All open meetings are held in
Olympia, WA. If you would like to be added to the commission's mailing list to
be notified of the open meeting date, please call 1-800-562-6150 and leave your
name, complete mailing address, the water company's name, and a description of
the proposal you are interested in.
Sincerely,
(Company Name/Representative)
(5) Notice after commission action is
permitted only when the commission approves an increase in federal, state,
county or city-imposed taxes, fees or surcharges, and when credits are issued.
(a) At a minimum, notice after commission
action must include the effective date, a clear description of changes to rates
or services resulting from the commission's decision, and a company contact
number where customers may seek additional information.
(b) Any notice after commission action may be
accomplished by a bill message, bill insert, printed in a company newsletter,
or mailed separately to customers.
(c) The commission may require other
notification to the public as it determines necessary.
