Section 480-07-505. General rate proceedings—Definition.

(1) Rate filings that are considered general rate proceedings. A general rate proceeding filing is a filing by any regulated company specified in WAC 480-07-500 for an increase in rates that meets any of the following criteria:

(a) The amount requested would increase gross annual revenue of the company from activities regulated by the commission by three percent or more.

(b) Tariffs would be restructured such that the gross revenue provided by any customer class would increase by three percent or more.

(c) The company requests a change in its authorized rate of return on common equity or a change in its capital structure.

(d) The company is a solid waste company regulated under chapter 81.77 RCW, except for filings specified under subsection (3)(a) of this section.

(2) Rate filings under Title 80 RCW that are not considered general rate proceedings. The following proceedings are not considered general rate increases even though the revenue requested may exceed three percent of the company's gross annual revenue from Washington regulated operations:

(a) Periodic rate adjustments for electric and natural gas companies that may be authorized by the commission (e.g., power cost adjustments and purchased gas cost adjustments).

(b) Emergency or other short-notice increases caused by disaster or weather-related conditions unexpectedly and substantially increasing a public service company's expense.

(c) Rate increases designed to recover government-imposed increases in costs of doing business such as changes in tax laws or ordinances.

(d) Other increases designed to recover increased expenses arising on short notice and beyond a public service company's control.

(3) Rate filings under chapter 81.77 RCW that are not considered general rate proceedings. The following filings are not considered general rate proceedings for solid waste companies regulated under chapter 81.77 RCW even though the request may meet one or more criteria identifying general rate proceedings:

(a) Filings by companies that provide neither traditional residential or commercial solid waste operations. This category includes specialized carriers generally hauling specific waste products for specific customers and carriers providing only on-call or nonscheduled service (i.e., "class C" companies, as defined in WAC 480-70-041).

(b) Disposal fee pass-through charges for drop-box service, provided there are no affiliated interest relationships.

(c) Filings for collection of per-customer pass-through surcharges and taxes imposed by the jurisdictional local government based on the current year customer count either as a specified dollar amount or percentage fee amount.

(d) Filings by existing solid waste companies for the implementation of new solid waste collection programs.

(4) Commission discretion. The commission may require that any filing or proposal by a regulated company to increase rates for any customer class, or to restructure rates, is subject to the procedures and protections of subpart B of these rules.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 03-24-028 (General Order R-510, Docket No. A-010648), § 480-07-505, filed 11/24/03, effective 1/1/04.]

RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 03-24-028 (General Order R-510, Docket No. A-010648), § 480-07-505, filed 11/24/03, effective 1/1/04.

Rules

480-07-500,480-70-041,