With utility disconnections set to resume in Washington, advocates push for more time
Washington banned utility disconnections for non-payment during the pandemic, but that protection is set to expire in July. Author: Michael Crowe Updated: 7:24 PM PDT May 24, 2021
SEATTLE With some utility shutoffs set to resume this summer, advocates are raising the alarm for people in Washington state that have fallen behind on payments during the pandemic.
Governor Jay Inslee previously told utilities not to disconnect service during the pandemic, coupled with a moratorium on evictions.
The Utility and Transportation Commission has oversight over several private utilities such as Puget Sound Energy (PSE), Avista, Pacific Power, Cascade and Northwest Natural. This does not include government-operated bodies such as Seattle City Light or Seattle Public Utilities, or public utility districts (PUDs).
Montana coal-fired plant owners say new law interferes in Colstrip contract By Associated Press
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BILLINGS, Mont. The majority owners of a coal-fired power plant in southern Montana filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday alleging a bill signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte unconstitutionally interferes with a private business contract that has governed the operation of the Colstrip power plant for 40 years.
Gianforte, a Republican, described the new law and a second measure affecting Colstrip as retaliation against Washington clean energy laws that have imposed an upcoming ban on coal power in that state over climate change concerns.
Four owners of the Colstrip power plant do business in Washington, where most of the plant’s energy is consumed. In 2019, the Washington legislature passed a bill to ban the use of coal-generated power in the state by the end of 2025.
TOM LUTEY
A majority of the owners of Colstrip Power Plant sued Tuesday over a new Montana law nullifying portions of the plantâs 40-year-old business contract, calling the law unconstitutional.
Owners Puget Sound Energy, Avista Corp., PacifiCorp and Portland General Electric filed the lawsuit Tuesday morning in U.S. District Court in Billings, suggesting the law violates both the U.S. and state constitutions.
At issue is a new law approved by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte on Monday. The law forces disputes among the power plantâs six owners be settled through Montana courts, instead of Washington as currently spelled out by the Colstrip Ownership and Operation Agreement. The law invalidates contracts that don t settle disputes through Montana courts.
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