Washington Administrative Code

"Affiliate" means a person or corporation that meets the definition of an "affiliated interest" in RCW 80.16.010."All-source RFP" means an RFP that solicits and accepts bids from any resource capable of meeting all or part of the resource need outlined in the utility's solicitati…

(1) All-source RFP requirements. All-source RFPs must allow bids from different types of resources that may fill all or part of the characteristics or attributes of the resource need. Such resource types include, but are not limited to, unbundled renewable energy credits, conserv…

(1) The required RFP issued pursuant to WAC 480-107-009(2) must comply with all sections of this chapter except WAC 480-107-021 requiring an informational filing.(2) A targeted RFP filed with a required RFP under WAC 480-107-009(2) must comply with all sections of this chapter ex…

(1) The provisions of this section apply to any RFP issued to fill a resource need. The commission strongly encourages a utility to consult with commission staff and other interested stakeholders during the development of an RFP and the associated evaluation rubric.(2) A utility …

(1) For required and targeted RFPs under WAC 480-107-009(2), a utility must file the RFPs and accompanying documentation with the commission no later than one hundred twenty days after the utility files its final IRP.(2) The utility must provide information on its public website …

(1) A utility must file any voluntary RFP allowed under WAC 480-107-009(3) and accompanying documentation thirty days prior to accepting bids.(2) If the utility must retain an independent evaluator under WAC 480-107-023, the utility must publish, on its public website, informatio…

(1) A utility must engage the services of an independent evaluator to assess and report on the solicitation process if:(a) The utility or its subsidiary or affiliate participates in the utility's RFP bidding process;(b) The utility intends to retain the option to procure resource…

(1) A utility or its subsidiary or affiliate may participate in the utility's RFP bidding process, and the utility may accept bids that will result in the utility owning or having a purchase option in the resource over its expected useful life. The utility may also consider repow…

(1) An RFP must define the resource need, including specific attributes or characteristics the utility is soliciting, such as the amount and duration of power, time and locational attributes, operational attributes, the type of technology or fuel source necessary to meet a compli…

(1) At a minimum, a utility's RFP ranking criteria must recognize resource cost, market-volatility risks, demand-side resource uncertainties and benefits, resource dispatchability, resource effect on system operation, credit and financial risks to the utility, the risks imposed o…

(1) Once bids are ranked in accordance with WAC 480-107-035, the utility must determine which bids best meet the selection criteria and produce the relevant attributes required in that portion of the resource need to which the bid is directed.(2) The bid's price, pricing structur…

(1) A conservation and efficiency resource supplier may participate in the bidding process for any resource need. A utility or its subsidiary or affiliate may participate as a conservation resource supplier subject to the conditions described in WAC 480-107-024.(2) All conservati…

(1) Unless otherwise prohibited by law, a utility may decide whether to enter into a final contract with any bidder that meets the selection criteria of the RFP. Any such bidder may petition the commission to review a utility's decision not to enter into a final contract.(2) Any …

(1) A generating facility entering into a power contract must provide energy or capacity to a utility during a system emergency only to the extent: (a) Provided by agreement between such generating facility and utility; or (b) Ordered under section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act…

(1) Any costs of interconnection are the responsibility of the owner or operator of the generating facility entering into a power contract under this chapter. The utility must assess all reasonable interconnection and necessary system or network upgrade costs the utility incurs a…

(1) The commission retains the right to examine bids as originally submitted to the utility by bidders. The utility must keep all documents supplied by bidders or on their behalf, and all documents created by the utility relating to each bid, including materials provided to the u…

(1) This chapter establishes rules for:(a) Determining the charges, terms and conditions governing the interconnection of customer-owned electric generating facilities with a nameplate generating capacity of no more than 20 megawatts (MW) to the electric system of an electrical c…

(1) This chapter applies to any electrical company subject to commission jurisdiction under RCW 80.04.010 and chapter 80.28 RCW. This chapter also includes eligibility and other requirements applicable to existing or potential interconnection customers.(2) This chapter governs in…

"Application" means the written notice as defined in WAC 480-108-030 that the interconnection customer provides to the electrical company to start the interconnection process."Business day" means Monday through Friday excluding official federal and state holidays."Certificate of …

(1) The provisions in Part 1 of this chapter apply to interconnections, and to applications to interconnect, generating facilities with a nameplate capacity of 20 MW or less to an electric system under this chapter. Interconnections fall within three categories - Tier 1, 2, and 3…

(1) Applicability.(a) Tier 1. Interconnection of a generating facility will use Tier 1 processes and technical requirements if the proposed generating facility meets all of the following criteria:(i) Uses inverter-based interconnection equipment;(ii) Is single phase;(iii) Has a n…

(1) Standard application.(a) The electrical company must file a standard application form with the commission that potential interconnection customers must use to request interconnection under this chapter. The interconnection customer's request must include the application fee e…

(1) The terms, conditions, and technical requirements in this section apply to the interconnection customer and generating facility throughout the generating facility's installation, testing, commissioning, operation, maintenance, decommissioning and removal. The electrical compa…

The interconnection process is complete and the generating facility can begin operation when:(1) The interconnection customer and the electric company execute an interconnection agreement;(2) The interconnection customer provides, and the electrical company issues written approva…

(1) Within sixty business days of the effective date of this rule, each electrical company over which the commission has jurisdiction must file an interconnection service tariff for interconnections consistent with this chapter.(2) Interconnection service includes only the terms …

An interconnection customer may ask the commission to review an electrical company's study costs, interconnection facility costs, system upgrade costs, deposit requirements, assignment of costs to the interconnection customer or an electrical company's processing, termination, de…

(1) The electrical company must file for commission approval, as part of its tariff, and maintain on file for inspection at its place of business, the charges, terms and conditions for interconnections pursuant to this chapter. Such filing must include model forms of the followin…

Electrical companies will evaluate on an ongoing basis, but not less than once every five years, the cumulative effect, including benefits to its other customers, of interconnections made under this chapter on its electric system and will retain appropriate records of its evaluat…

WAC 480-108-999In this chapter, the commission adopts by reference all or portions of regulations and standards identified below. The publications, effective date, references within this chapter, and availability of the resources are as follows:(1) The National Electrical Code is…

The purpose of this chapter is to establish rules that electric utilities must use to comply with the requirements of the Energy Independence Act, chapter 19.285 RCW.[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040, 80.04.160, and 19.285.080. WSR 15-07-043 (Docket UE-131723, General Order R-5…

(1) The rules in this chapter apply to any electric utility that is subject to the commission's jurisdiction under RCW 80.04.010 and chapter 80.28 RCW.(2) Any affected person may ask the commission to review the interpretation of these rules by a utility by making an informal com…

The commission may grant an exemption from the provisions of any rule in this chapter in the same manner and consistent with the standards and according to the procedures set forth in WAC 480-07-110 (Exemptions from and modifications to commission rules; conflicts involving rules…

(1) These rules do not relieve any utility from any of its duties and obligations under the laws of the state of Washington.(2) The commission retains its authority to impose additional or different requirements on any utility in appropriate circumstances, consistent with the req…

If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040, 80.04.160, and 19.285.080. WS…

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Annual retail revenue requirement" means the total revenue the commission authorizes a utility an opportunity to recover in Washington rates pursuant to a general rate…

(1) A utility that fails to achieve either its conservation target or its renewable resource target must pay an administrative penalty for each megawatt-hour of shortfall in the amount of fifty dollars adjusted annually, beginning in 2007, to reflect changes in the gross domestic…

(1) Process for pursuing all conservation.(a) Process. A utility's obligation to pursue all available conservation that is cost-effective, reliable, and feasible includes the following process:(i) Identify potential. Identify the cost-effective, reliable, and feasible potential o…

(1) Scope of issues. A utility must maintain and use an external conservation advisory group of stakeholders to advise the utility on conservation issues including, but not limited to:(a) Conservation programs and measures.(b) Updates to the utility's evaluation, measurement, and…

(1) Biennial conservation plan.(a) On or before November 1st of every odd-numbered year, a utility must file with the commission a biennial conservation plan.(b) The plan must include, but is not limited to:(i) A request that the commission approve its ten-year conservation poten…

(1) Utilities must file with the commission for recovery of all expected conservation cost changes and amortization of deferred balances. A utility must include its conservation cost recovery procedures in its tariff.(2) A utility must make a conservation cost recovery filing no …

(1) Renewable resource target. Each utility must meet the following annual targets.(a) By January 1st of each year beginning in 2012 and continuing through 2015, each utility must use sufficient eligible renewable resources, acquire equivalent renewable energy credits, or a combi…

(1) Annual report. On or before every June 1st, each utility must file an annual renewable portfolio standard report with the commission and the department detailing the resources the utility has acquired or contracted to acquire to meet its renewable resource obligation for the …

Instead of fully meeting its annual renewable resource target in WAC 480-109-200, a utility may make one of three demonstrations.(1) Cost cap. A utility may invest at least four percent of its total annual retail revenue requirement on the incremental costs of eligible renewable …

(1) A utility must report its greenhouse gas content calculation and metrics of energy and emissions intensity to the commission on or before June 1st of each year. The report must include annual values for each metric for the preceding ten calendar years. Each value reported mus…

WAC 480-109-999In this chapter, the commission adopts by reference all, or portions of, the publications identified below. They are available for inspection at the commission library. The publications, publication dates, references within this chapter, and availability of the res…

This chapter is created under RCW 43.21C.120 and chapter 197-11 WAC.[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040, 80.04.160 and 81.04.160. WSR 98-02-011 (Order R-446, Docket No. A-970591), § 480-11-010, filed 12/29/97, effective 1/29/98. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21C RCW. WSR 84-21-…

The commission adopts provisions of chapter 197-11 WAC (SEPA guidelines adopted by the department of ecology) to be applicable to the Washington utilities and transportation commission. A copy of the rules adopted by reference in this section is available for inspection at the Wa…