10/07/2026
Public comment from the 9/29/26 Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) hearing in Lacey on Puget Sound Energy's (PSE) proposed rate increases. (The recording doesn't include written speaker names, so apologies for any misspellings.)
As this commenter pointed out, while residential customers face increases, PSE is asking for a 12.49% electric rate decrease in 2027 for its special contract customers, followed by further cuts in 2028 and 2029. Microsoft has stated in its own filing in this case that it's PSE's only electric special contract customer. Also worth noting: The UTC's chair, Brian Rybarik, was appointed by Governor Ferguson in January 2025, coming directly from Microsoft, where he served as a senior director and worked on the company's data center energy team.
Missed the in-person hearing? There's a virtual one today, October 7th from 6 to 8pm. The Zoom link and talking points from 350Tacoma can be found on our Linktree.
You can also submit written comments anytime while the case is open. Tell the Utilities and Transportation Commission to reject PSE's rate increase request:
Email: [email protected]�Online form: utc.wa.gov�Phone: 1-888-333-9882�Mail: P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250
Include dockets UE-260005 and UG-260006 so your comment is filed to the right case.
The UTC posted a recording of the full hearing. For some reason, it’s audio only (even though they were filming video at the meeting) but if you want to hear the whole thing, you can listen or download it here: https://wutc.app.box.com/v/OpenMeetings/folder/361219678984
