Washington Administrative Code Title 480 - Utilities and Transportation Commission
WAC Title 480 is a comprehensive set of administrative rules established by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC). The UTC is the state agency responsible for regulating privately-owned utilities and transportation companies to ensure safe, reliable, and fairly priced services.
This title is broken into several chapters, each dealing with a different type of utility or transportation service. Below is a detailed explanation of its structure, content, and regulatory scope.
🔹 Purpose of Title 480
WAC Title 480 outlines the rules and procedures the UTC uses to:
Regulate rates and services of investor-owned utilities (like electric, natural gas, water, and telecommunications companies)
Ensure safety standards in transportation (like railroads, charter buses, and moving companies)
Protect consumers and ensure fair business practices
Enforce compliance and allow for rulemaking and penalties when needed
🔹 Key Areas Regulated by WAC Title 480
1. Energy Utilities
These chapters regulate:
Electric companies (rates, service quality, metering, renewable energy integration, disconnection rules)
Natural gas utilities (safety standards, pipeline inspection, emergency plans)
Topics covered include:
Rate structures and tariffs
Customer billing and dispute resolution
Termination of service
Low-income assistance programs
Energy conservation and efficiency programs
2. Water Companies
Covers private water companies serving customers for compensation. Rules include:
Service territory assignments
Water quality coordination with Department of Health
Rules for billing, meter accuracy, and customer rights
Rate setting and complaint resolution
3. Telecommunications
This includes:
Traditional landline service regulation
Transition to internet-based technologies
Lifeline services for low-income households
Rules for interconnection, customer privacy, and service obligations
Note: Due to federal deregulation, some parts of telecom oversight have shifted or been minimized, but the WAC still holds some authority over certain services.
4. Transportation Services
This includes:
Railroads and railroad crossings (safety inspections, grade crossings, track standards)
Household goods movers (licensing, consumer protection, estimates, insurance)
Charter and excursion bus services
Auto transporters and tow truck operators
Safety and economic regulation (e.g., complaint investigations, insurance requirements)
5. Pipeline Safety
Oversight of intrastate pipelines
Compliance with federal and state safety standards
Inspection, maintenance, and incident response
🔹 General Rules and Procedures
There are also administrative chapters that apply across sectors, such as:
Rulemaking procedures
Filing tariffs and rate cases
Consumer complaint processes
Recordkeeping and reporting
Enforcement actions (penalties, suspension of authority, etc.)
Emergency response regulations
🔹 Examples of Specific Chapters (for illustration)
(Note: These are examples and the actual WAC has many more.)
WAC 480-07 – Procedural rules for formal and informal proceedings, including hearings and filings.
WAC 480-100 – Regulations specific to electric companies.
WAC 480-90 – Rules for gas companies.
WAC 480-110 – Rules governing water companies.
WAC 480-70 – Rules for solid waste and recycling collection companies.
WAC 480-30 – Covers passenger transportation companies like charter buses.
WAC 480-40 – Focused on railroad company operations and safety.
🔹 Enforcement and Compliance
The UTC has authority to:
Inspect facilities and operations
Investigate complaints
Issue penalties or fines
Suspend or revoke certificates of authority
Require reports and audits
Utilities and transportation companies must comply with these rules to operate legally in Washington State.
🔹 Interaction with Other Laws
While WAC Title 480 focuses on state-level regulations, it must also align with:
Federal laws and agencies (like FERC, FCC, PHMSA, etc.)
Revised Code of Washington (RCW) – The UTC’s authority is established under RCW Title 80 and 81
Other state agencies, e.g., Department of Health, Ecology, and Labor & Industries, for overlapping safety or environmental matters
🔹 Role of the Public and Stakeholders
The public can:
File complaints against regulated companies
Participate in UTC rulemaking and hearings
Comment on rate increases or service changes
✅ Summary
| Area | Regulated Entities | Examples of Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Electric/Gas | Investor-owned utilities | Rates, service reliability, disconnect rules |
| Water | Private water companies | Billing, meter accuracy, service territory |
| Telecom | Landline and some internet services | Lifeline, privacy, service quality |
| Transportation | Movers, buses, railroads | Licensing, safety inspections, consumer rights |
| Pipeline | Intrastate pipeline operators | Safety inspections, emergency protocols |
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