The UTC-approved package contains three separate rules: Purchase of Resources (Docket UE-190837), Energy Independence Act (Docket UE-190652) and Clean Energy Implementation Plans and Integrated Resource Plans (CEIP\/IRP) (UE-191023).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchase of Resources, Docket: UE-190837<\/strong>
The new rules update utility purchasing practices and require utilities to conduct outreach to minority-owned and other diverse businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changes include:
\u2022 When purchasing new resources, utilities must consider both the energy and non-energy benefits and burdens to highly impacted communities and vulnerable populations.
\u2022 Utilities must seek potential bids from underrepresented organizations and bidders, such as minority-, women-, disabled- and veteran-owned businesses to encourage equitable participation in the bidding process.
\u2022 For resource contracts by the utilities, the utility must collect and report their contractors\u2019 use of diverse businesses, including but not limited to women-, minority-, disabled- and veteran-owned businesses.
\u2022 Where utilities are required to use an independent evaluator, the utility must consult with stakeholders and commission staff when choosing an independent evaluator.
\u2022 The independent evaluator\u2019s assessment of resources is expanded to include the benefits and burdens of a resource choice to highly impacted and vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clean Energy Implementation Plan\/Integrated Resource Plan, Docket: UE-191023<\/strong>
These updated rules provide guidance to investor-owned utilities and their stakeholders as utilities transition from fossil fuels, establishing policy and process changes that incorporate recent advances in the energy industry and improving the IRP process for regulated companies, stakeholders and the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under these rules, utilities will create utility advisory groups to discuss the equitable distribution of benefits and reduction of harm to overburdened communities during the clean energy transition. Additionally, these rules clarify the public participation processes for utilities when developing resource plans and implementation plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Energy Independence Act, Docket: UE-190652<\/strong>
In October 2019, the commission initiated a rulemaking to update rules implementing the Energy Independence Act, or EIA, a law established in 2007 by Initiative 937. This act requires utilities over a certain size to provide at least 15% of electricity from renewable energy sources and pursue all cost-effective conservation. These updates incorporate new requirements enacted in CETA and other legislative action, and improve the processes for administering the EIA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changes include:
\u2022 Adding several definitions included in CETA, notably \u201cenergy assistance,\u201d \u201cenergy assistance need,\u201d \u201cenergy burden\u201d and \u201clow-income.\u201d
\u2022 Strengthening rules governing energy conservation programs for low-income customers.
\u2022 Amending rules that address the use of renewable energy credits, tradable certificates that represent energy generated by renewable resources.
\u2022 Adding a calculation of greenhouse gas content to energy and emissions intensity reports that utilities must file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UTC is the state agency that regulates private, investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities in Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n