Washington State Commences Pole Attachment Rulemaking

On April 22, 2014, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (“Commission”) commenced a pole attachment rulemaking. While the State of Washington asserted jurisdiction over pole attachments in 1979 (see ch. RCW 80.54) and authorized the Commission “to regulate in the public interest the rates, terms, and conditions” of pole attachments, the Commission never adopted pole attachment regulations. This proceeding is intended to remedy the absence of such “rules, regulations and procedures.” 

“The Commission proposes to use the [Federal Communications Commission] and [Oregon Public Utility Commission] rules as the starting point for developing its own rules to govern attachments ... in Washington.”

Initial comments are due by May 30, 2014.

The Commission plans to hold a workshop to discuss the comments on July 28, 2014 at 9:30 AM PDT.