UTC Connections - July 2018

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UTC Connections

July 2018

Water Conservation

Sprinkler

Temperatures are rising, but don’t let your water bill rise with it! Keep your bill cool with these helpful tips:

  • Water lawns in the early morning or late evening so the water doesn't evaporate in the midday heat.
  • Shorten your shower. Trimming two minutes off your shower can save up to 1,750 gallons of water per person in your household each year.
  • Use the dishwasher. Handwashing can use up to 27 gallons of water compared to just 3 gallons per wash with an energy efficient dishwasher.
  • Get a rain barrel and collect water from your water spout. Reuse that water in your garden instead of using a hose.

For more information on how to save water, click here.


Advanced meters

Utility companies around the state are beginning to replace standard analog meters, and older one-way communicating meters with new digital meters. These meters retrieve customer usage data through two-way communication between the customer’s meter and the utility company.

The advantages include automated customer outage detection, energy consumption alerts, and faster service reconnection.

The commission issued a formal policy statement in April that requires companies to offer residential customers the ability to opt-out of advanced smart meter installation. Customers who wish to opt-out from advanced meter installation must contact their utility company.

To learn more at the UTC’s meter opt-out policy, click here.


Introducing our new executive director

Mark Johnson - Exec Pic

In May, UTC Executive Director Steve King retired after 35 years of public service and Mark Johnson was appointed to fulfill this important role.

Johnson joined the commission as the director of administrative services in June 2017. Prior to that, he worked at the state Department of Agriculture where he spent almost 25 years as its chief financial officer.

He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Central Washington University.