Water, Gas, Electric and Telecommunications Companies

If the company is changing its name due to a transfer of ownership, the transfer of property statute (RCW 80.12) may apply and require approval of the UTC before the transfer can occur. Any filing to change the company's name should be made after the UTC has approved the transfer itself.

1. File with the Department of Licensing (360-664-1400) and the Secretary of State office (360-753-7115) an updated company name including any d/b/a .

2. File with the UTC a complete tariff with new name on every page and an advice letter describing the name change filing. (ABC Utility Company is changing its name to ABC Utility Company d/b/a The Alphabet Utility.) (WAC 480-80-103)

3. If you are unable to file a complete tariff with the new name on every page at this time, you must:

a. File with the UTC an adoption notice (WAC 480-80-133) for your existing tariff, and
b. File with the UTC within one year of the effective date of the adoption notice a complete tariff with the new name on every page.
c. Any other tariff filings made between the effective date of the adoption notice and the filing of the new tariff must show the new name at the bottom of each page and the old name at the top of each page.