The purpose of this chapter is to establish the process by which the state of Washington and Washington state utilities will initiate and implement statewide electric load curtailment when there is an insufficient supply of electric energy. This chapter constitutes the Washington state curtailment plan for electric energy (plan). The plan is not intended to be activated for relatively short-term emergencies such as those caused by extremely cold weather or the temporary loss of a major generating plant, but for regional, protracted shortages of electric energy. The plan will be activated by the department of community, trade, and economic development for regional emergencies for which regional curtailment is necessary. Such emergencies may or may not coincide with other emergencies for which other actions, such as repair of damaged facilities, are necessary.

The goal of this plan is to accomplish necessary curtailment while treating consumers fairly and equitably, minimizing adverse impacts from curtailment, complying with existing state laws and regulations, and providing for smooth, efficient, and effective curtailment administration.