The Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA)

• The RCA is a State Agency Responsible for Regulating Utilities in Alaska. 
  The RCA regulates the rates, services and practices of utilities in the State of Alaska, including those of Anchorage Water & Wastewater Utility (AWWU). By certifying qualified providers of public utility and pipeline services, the RCA helps ensure safe and adequate services at just and reasonable rates, terms, and conditions to Alaskan consumers. The itemized RCC cost charge listed on Utility bills goes to fund RCA operations.
• The RCA is responsible for reviewing and approving rates, services and operating licenses. 
  AWWU Tariff* documents, which must be approved by the RCA, define all practices involving Utility customers, including the rates customers pay. Tariff documents for water service and sewer service are published separately. Changes to Tariff documents require an open formal process involving a comment period, review period and hearings to ensure the Utility has clear justification for the proposed changes. 
   * A Tariff is the governing document for how the utility is required to operate. 
• Commissioners are appointed by the Governor with six year terms. 
  Five full-time Commissioners are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Legislature for six-year terms. As a regulatory decision making body, the Commission exercises a delegated legislative power. Each regulatory decision is reached quasi-judicially - that is to say, the decision must be based on evidence of records gathered in docketed proceedings. Any tariff change is evaluated through a judicial process.

Regulatory Affairs & Public Advocacy (RAPA)

• RAPA advocates for the general public with particular attention to the interests of consumers. 
  RAPA is a section of the State of Alaska’s Department of Law. The Attorney General, as the Public Advocate, advocates for the interests of consumers who would not otherwise have an effective voice in utility matters. Advocacy is not strictly limited to asking for the lowest rates, but is instead balanced to also ensure utilities are financially healthy enabling them to provide safe and reliable service in the short and long-term.

For more information:

• Regulatory Commission of Alaska:  276-6222 or Toll Free at 800-390-2782  or www.rca.alaska.gov
• RAPA online at: www.law.alaska.gov/department/civil/rapa/rapa.html

AWWU Customer Service - 564-2700, or CustomerService@awwu.biz