Washington’s Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) on Wednesday slapped a $104,300 penalty on Bellevue, WA-based Puget Sound Energy (PSE) for violating an order directing it to correct the use of its “refusal of service” requirements. The UTC action alleges that PSE in October 2010 provided “inaccurate or misleading information” to some of its customers, including low-income people, regarding how much they were required to pay to reconnect their gas and electric utility service. In addition, the regulators alleged that the combination utility misled or inaccurately informed customers who had been disconnected for nonpayment. UTC ordered the utility to correct the mishandling of 26 customer accounts, all of which were part of a random sampling of hundreds of disconnected customer accounts. The state regulatory panel said a UTC staff investigation subsequently found that PSE had “failed to correct its mishandling” of the accounts, and alleged that the utility committed 515 violations.
Puget
Articles from Puget
Investigations Continue on Seattle Gas Explosion
While separate regulatory commission and fire department investigations are ongoing, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) determined Tuesday it is probable that a wind-toppled tree in a north Seattle residential neighborhood caused a gas leak at a home blocks away that resulted in an explosion at 6 a.m . Monday. The married couple inside the home were being treated for various burn-related injuries and the home was leveled, a PSE spokesperson told NGI Tuesday.
PSE Signs Iberdrola Deal for Winter Gas-Fired Power
Bellevue, WA-based Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has signed a deal with Portland, OR-based Iberdrola Renewables for winter-only electricity supplies from the independent power provider’s Klamath generating facility in Southern Oregon. PSE signed up for 100 MW to be delivered starting Jan. 1 next year.
People
Bellevue, WA-based Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has named Kimberly Harris as its new CEO, replacing Steve Reynolds who retired. Harris joined PSE 12 years ago.
People
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has named Executive Vice President Kimberly Harris, 46, as the utility’s new president. Harris joined PSE in 1999 and has held several leadership positions during the past 11 years — most recently serving as executive vice president and chief resource officer, responsible for all of PSE’s energy resources, including project development and contract management, energy efficiency services and federal government relations. Prior to that she was a senior vice president for regulatory policy and energy efficiency. Harris also has been PSE’s vice president of regulatory and government affairs, associate general counsel and director of load resource strategies.
Puget Sound Energy Names New President
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) said Wednesday its board named Executive Vice President Kimberly Harris, 46, as the utility’s new president.
Four-Year-Old Enron Settlement Boosts PSE Weatherization
As a remnant of the western wholesale power market meltdown of 2000-2001, Bellevue, WA-based Puget Sound Energy (PSE) on Monday said its low-income weatherization funding will double next year, thanks to funds it will receive from the Washington state Attorney General’s Office from a 2005 settlement with Enron Corp. PSE will get more than $2.1 million from the Enron case.
State Regulators OK 16% PSE Gas Rate Drop, Small Power Hike
Washington state regulators last Thursday approved an overall 16% decrease in retail natural gas utility rates of Puget Sound Energy (PSE) attributed to the continued slide in wholesale gas prices. The lower rates become effective this Thursday, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) said, adding that at the same time a small electric increase will take effect.
Puget Sound Energy to Lower Gas Rates 17.1%
Bellevue, WA-based Puget Sound Energy (PSE) filed with Washington state regulators Monday to lower its overall retail natural gas rates 17.1% this winter — the second gas rate decrease this year. The latest decrease would be effective Oct. 1, and it follows a 1.8% drop in gas charges that went into effect June 1.
Green Methane Eyed by WA Public-Private Partners
Bellevue, WA-based Puget Sound Energy (PSE), Kings County, WA, and landfill gas specialist Bio Energy-Washington have joined forces on a project to use super-clean landfill gas to produce 35 MW in PSE’s existing gas-fired generation plants. They expect to produce up to 5.5 MMcf/d of “green” methane from the landfill.
