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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
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CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
DATE OF REPORT: December 12, 1996
I.R.S. Employer
Commission State of Identification
File Number Registrant Incorporation Number
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001-11227 Washington Energy Company Washington 91-1005304
001-11271 Washington Natural Gas Company Washington 91-1005303
815 Mercer Street, Seattle, Washington 98109
(Address of Registrant's principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (206) 622-6767
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
a) On December 11, 1996, Washington Energy Company, parent company of
Washington Natural Gas Company, issued the following:
Stipulation for Merger Settlement is Filed
Washington Energy Company (through its principal subsidiary, Washington
Natural Gas Company) and Puget Sound Power & Light Company today (December
11, 1996) filed a stipulated settlement agreement in the companies' merger
proposal before the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
("Commission"). The settlement agreement was signed by the regulatory staff
of the Commission and by the Public Counsel Section of the Washington State
Office of the Attorney General, as well as by the two companies.
The next step in the regulatory process is a hearing on the stipulated
agreement, tentatively set for December 18, followed by the filing of final
briefs on January 3, 1997. The Commission is expected to render its decision
in early January. The Commission's decision is the only regulatory approval
required for completion of the merger. If the Commission's final order is
issued in a timely manner and is satisfactory to the Boards of Directors of
the respective companies, the merger could be effective January 31, 1997.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the Requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
WASHINGTON ENERGY COMPANY
By /s/ James P. Torgerson
James P. Torgerson
Executive Vice President,
Chief Administrative Officer and
Chief Financial Officer; the
Principal Financial Officer
WASHINGTON NATURAL GAS COMPANY
by /s/ James P. Torgerson
James P. Torgerson
Executive Vice President,
Chief Administrative Officer and
Chief Financial Officer; the
Principal Financial Officer
December 12, 1996
