Every gas, water, wastewater, or electrical company owning, operating or managing a plant or system for the distribution and sale of gas, water or electricity, or the provision of wastewater company services to the public for hire is, and is held to be, a public service company as to such plant or system and as to all gas, water, wastewater company services, or electricity distributed or furnished therefrom, whether such gas, water, wastewater company services, or electricity be sold wholesale or retail or be distributed wholly to the general public or in part as surplus gas, water, wastewater company services, or electricity to manufacturing or industrial concerns or to other public service companies or municipalities for redistribution. Nothing in this title may be construed to prevent any gas company, electrical company or water company from continuing to furnish its product or the use of its lines, equipment or service under any contract or contracts in force on June 7, 1911, at the rates fixed in such contract or contracts. However, the commission has power, in its discretion, to direct by order that such contract or contracts be terminated by the company party thereto and thereupon such contract or contracts must be terminated by such company as and when directed by such order.

Findings—Purpose—Limitation of chapter—Effective date—2011 c 214: See notes following RCW 80.04.010.