Energy Northwest - Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.205, .600, .615, .630, .645, .645 for not registering or reporting as a political committee, lobbyist, or lobbyist employer. (FEB 2018)

Case

#36100

Respondent

Energy Northwest

Complainant

Jerry Dierker

Description

A complaint was filed against Energy Northwest may have violated RCW 42.17A.205, .235 and .240 by failing to timely register and file as a political committee, and RCW 42.17A.600, .615, .630, .640, and .645 by failing to register as a lobbyist, lobbyist employer, and grassroots lobby organization. 

Energy Northwest, a public agency and municipal corporation that was created in 1957 by the Washington State legislature, operates under RCW 43.52, and “has the authority to acquire, build, operate, develop, and own a diverse mix of power plants and systems for the generation and transmission of electricity.”

Based on staff's review, no evidence was provided or found indicating that Energy Northwest met the definition of a political committee, either as a receiver of contributions, or maker of expenditures to support candidates or political committees; and met the definition as either a grass roots lobbying organization or as a lobbyist.  

Energy Northwest is a public agency that filed L-5 reports disclosing lobbying activities undertaken by a private contract lobbying firm, as permitted under PDC laws and rules.  PDC staff found no evidence in this matter constituting an actual violation warranting further investigation or enforcement action.  

Based on this information, the PDC has dismissed the complaint filed against Energy Northwest in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).  

Disposition

Case Closed with No Evidence of Violations

Date Opened

May 31, 2018

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.205, RCW 42.17A.600, RCW 42.17A.615, RCW 42.17A.630, RCW 42.17A.640

Documents

• Energy Northwest Complaint Return Ltr (Dieker) PDC Case 36100.pdf
• Energy Northwest Response with attachments (Dierker) PDC Case 36100.pdf
• 36100 Energy Northwest Complaint _0.pdf