Utilities
Utility companies must generally notify you in writing before shutting off a utility service to give you time to work out a payment plan or get help paying your bills. Shut offs are illegal in some situations, like certain heat alert days and medical emergencies. Read this to learn more about utility shut off and billing issues.
1. Types of utility companies
If you have a billing issue with your utility company or your utility is shut off, you have different options depending on the type of company that provides your service.
There are different laws that govern “public” utilities and privately owned utilities.
Public utilities
Public utilities include Public Utility Districts (PUD) run by elected commissioners in many counties across Washington.
Public utilities also include municipally owned utilities, like Seattle City Light, Seatle Public Utilities, and Tacoma Public Utilities.
Private utilities
Private utilities include for-profit companies like Puget Sound Energy, NW Natural, Pacific Power, Avista Utilities, and Cascade Natural Gas and are regulated by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC).
Rural Electric Cooperatives are also private companies, owned by the members they serve. Examples are Inland Power and Light, Lakeview Light & Power, and the Peninsula Light Company.