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Utilities <br />WUTC, some utilities are considered a critical service, namely e1ectricity and standard telephone, <br />and must be provided "upon demand". In order to fulfill public service obligations, these utility <br />providers must plan to extend or add to their facilities when needed. On the other hand, natural <br />gas is not considered a necessity, but rather a utility of convenience. All utilities regulated by the <br />WUTC are prohibited from possing the cost of new construction onto the existing rate base. <br />Federal agencies also play a role in regulating some of these utilities. For example, the Federal <br />C'.ommUJ1ics.tions Commission (FCC) regulates telecommunications. In addition, the Federal <br />Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), an independent commission with the U.S. Department <br />of Eneigy, sets rates and charges for the transportation and sale of natural gas, and for the <br />transportation of oil by pipeline, for the transmission and sale of electricity, and the licensing of <br />hydroelectric power projects. <br />Local government, too, has a role in regulation for certain utilities, such as franchise agreements. <br />However, the effort behind meeting Growth Management Act requirements is not primarily <br />regulatory; rather it is to promote coordination and cooperation between jurisdictions wid utility <br />providers. <br />Virtually all land uses require one or more of the utilities discussed in this Chapter. Local land <br />use decisions drive the need for new or expanded utility facilities. In other words, utilities follow <br />growth. Expansion of the utility systems is a function of the demand for reliable service that <br />people, their land uses, and activities place on the systems. <br />Participation <br />Kittitas County recognizes the vast array of utilities provided by various companies and <br />government agencies. Utilities provided include electricity, b8tural gas, standard telephone, <br />cellular telephone, cable. and irrigation purveyors. Existing and updated maps of utilities in <br />Kittitas County are maintained by the Collllty Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to meet the <br />requirements of the Utilities Element as outlined in state law. In addition Capital Facilities Plans <br />of utility providers available in Kittitas County is hereby adopted by reference to meet the <br />requirements of identifying proposed facilities. <br />6.2. Goals, Policies, and Objectives <br />GPO 6.1 The county should promote the joint use of transportation rights-of-way and other utility <br />corridors consistent with the underlying private property rights and easement limitations. <br />GPO 6.2 Appropriately place utility facilities within public rights-of~way. <br />GPO 6.3 The Kittitas County's plan for utility faciJities will be formulated, interpreted and <br />applied in a manner consistent with and complimentary to the serving utility's public service <br />obligations. <br />GPO 6.4 The county should maintain current information on the existing and proposed facilities <br />of utilities. <br />Kittitas County <br />Comprehensive Plan 6-2 <br />December 2016