MRSC Insight Blog

Posts for Utilities

Food Waste Reduction and Sustainable Recycling: New Legislation

September 19, 2019 by Jill Dvorkin
Category: New Legislation and Regulations , Utilities

Two recent pieces of legislation, E2SHB 1114 and ESSHB 1543, are aimed at reducing food waste and creating support for long-term, sustainable recycling programs across the state.

A Recycling Crisis in Washington?

November 21, 2018 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Utilities

Since the beginning of the year, the costs to collect, sort, store, and ship recycled materials have risen dramatically while the market for these goods has collapsed. This blog post looks at the impact this has had on waste management efforts across the state.

Bitcoin Comes to Washington

May 22, 2018 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Licensing and Regulation , Utilities

What is cryptocurrency and why have public utility districts, cities, and counties across the state enacted ordinances and moratoriums impacting the businesses seeking to profit from "mining" cryptocurrency? This blog post looks at the complexities.

Funding Utility Infrastructure

June 14, 2017 by Courtney Black
Category: Finance , Finance Advisor , Utilities

The facilities that make up your utility infrastructure won’t last forever. This post looks at how asset management options can help a utility avoid significant funding challenges or impacts to ratepayers during infrastructure replacement.

Changes Proposed to Washington’s Dig Safe Law

July 5, 2016 by John W. Carpita, PE
Category: Utilities

In 2011, the Washington Legislature substantially amended the 1984 Underground Utilities Damage Prevention Act, commonly known as the “Call Before You Dig” or “Dig Safe” law. These 2011 amendments (which became effective January 1, 2013 and are codified in Ch. 19.122 RCW) strengthened the Act by requiring r...

Franchising - An Essential Tool for Right-of-Way Management

May 18, 2016 by Jim Doherty
Category: Utilities

Many city and county attorneys and public works directors are familiar with utility franchising issues, but many other city and county elected officials and staff are not, even though they may encounter them as part of their public duties. Understanding the basics of franchising will help in approaching these issues and in appreciating the complexity of the often unnoticed utility systems providing services to your residents and businesses.

Administrative Appeal Process Must Now Be Offered for Required Septic-to-Sewer Conversions

September 8, 2015 by John W. Carpita, PE
Category: Utilities

Information on new legislation regarding sewer-to-septic converions.

Digging Can Be Risky

September 11, 2012 by Jim Doherty
Category: Utilities

The topic here is not prospecting for gold or digging wells for oil; it’s the everyday activities of utility crews, homeowners, contractors – almost everyone when they pick up a shovel (or operate a backhoe) and dig deeper than 12 inches. Washington’s “call before you dig” statutes were substantially amended in 2011, with the changes going into effect on January 1, 2013. (See Laws of 2011, ch.