<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
-------------------
FORM 8-K
-------------------
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
DATE OF REPORT: October 15, 1996
I.R.S. Employer
Commission State of Identification
File Number Registrant Incorporation Number
- ------------- -------------------------------- --------------- ----------------
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
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
a) On September 26, 1996, Washington Energy Company, parent company of
Washington Natural Gas Company, issued the following press release:
COMPANIES RESPOND TO UTILITIES COMMISSION STAFF'S MERGER COMMENTS
Puget Sound Power & Light Company and Washington Energy Company view as
"a substantial step forward" a recent state regulatory staff conclusion that
a merger of the two companies would be in the public interest and produce
real benefits for customers. However, they find the proposed conditions
attached by staff to be unacceptable.
The reaction, issued by Puget Power President and CEO Richard R.
Sonstelie and Washington Energy chairman, CEO and President William P.
Vititoe, was a response to a filing submitted Monday, Sept. 23, by the staff
of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.
As one step in the regulatory review process, the staff filing is a
recommendation only. The Utilities and Transportation Commissioners may
accept, modify, or entirely reject it.
The companies detailed their differences with the staff's position and
responded to the filings of other intervenors in a rebuttal submitted
on Oct. 11, 1996. Final briefs from all parties are due by December 6,
1996. No specific date has been set for the Commission to render its
decision, but it could be issued by the end of December 1996.
<PAGE>
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
October 15, 1996
