Utilities saw all-time usage highs in heat State commission investigates their preparedness By Greg Mason, The Spokesman-Review Published: July 3, 2021, 5:42pm Share: A display at an Olympia Federal Savings branch shows a temperature of 107 degrees Monday in Olympia. (ted s. warren/Associated Press) SPOKANE — The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will investigate how utility companies prepared and responded amid record-setting heat statewide last week that led to all-time usage highs and planned outages for some of them. As part of the investigation, the commission will look into utility infrastructure and customer communications related to the heat wave, which saw record-high temperatures across much of Eastern Washington, said Emilie Brown, a commission spokesperson. The results of the investigation, which will likely take six to 18 months, will be posted publicly with gathered documentation.