District 20 rep leads effort to lower family utility costs

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With wildfires, severe storms and other disasters impacting Washingtonians each year, District 20 Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, has introduced House Bill 1656 — a bipartisan effort to help utility companies recover emergency costs while protecting families and businesses from higher utility bills.

Abbarno is sponsoring the bill with 14 other legislators, including District 18 Rep. John Ley, R-Vancouver, and 17th District Rep. David Stuebe, R. Washougal, and District 22 Rep. Beth Doglio, D-Lacey.

According to a news release, the legislation harnesses cost-saving strategies to deliver financial relief to customers and strengthen utilities’ ability to respond to future crises.

“This bill is about protecting ratepayers while ensuring utilities can continue to respond effectively to emergencies,” Abbarno said in the release. “With the increasing frequency of wildfires and other natural disasters, we need tools that allow utilities to recover costs in a way that minimizes the impact on families and businesses across Washington.”

HB 1656 allows electrical, gas and water companies to use a financial mechanism called securitization to manage certain emergency-related costs, the release stated.



“This approach enables utilities to minimize utility bill impacts on customers by financing the costs through bonds so that emergency costs can be recovered over time rather than over a short period,” according to the release.

The bill also requires approval from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to ensure that the securitization process provides the lowest possible cost for utility customers. Additionally, it includes safeguards to maintain the financial stability of the bonds, giving investors confidence while protecting ratepayers from unnecessary risks.

“HB 1656 reflects a bipartisan commitment to balancing financial accountability, environmental stewardship and public safety,” Abbarno added in the release. “This legislation is a win for utility customers, emergency response efforts and fiscal responsibility. It demonstrates how we can come together to address critical issues while protecting families and businesses from rising costs.”

The House Environment and Energy Committee is expected to hear the bill at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6. To provide testimony or track its progress, visit leg.wa.gov.