Published: Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Whidbey PUD plan up for debate
WHIDBEY ISLAND -- The people who want to form a public utilities district for Whidbey Island are planning their end game in a battle they've waged for months against Puget Sound Energy.
David Metheny, campaign director for People for Yes on Whidbey PUD, is among several public utility supporters that will debate employees of Puget Sound Energy at a public forum planned for Oct. 9.
That's just six days before Metheny expects Island County's mail-in ballots to arrive at most homes. By election day in November, Metheny hopes he'll have proof in hand for what he's always suspected: that the people of Whidbey Island are savvy and steely enough to run their own utility service.
Metheny and the rest of the island residents behind People for Yes on Whidbey PUD say the electric service provided by Puget Sound Energy is unreliable. Puget Sound Energy, which serves nearly 35,000 people on Whidbey Island, has argued that it makes timely repairs when there are problems, and that starting a utilities district is more expensive and complex than Metheny and his partners say.
The two sides debated early this month before a packed house, Metheny said.
"There was a lot of anger about the lack of reliable electricity service," he said.
Metheny said he expects a similar showing on Thursday, Oct. 9, the last debate before the vote. The debate is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Coupeville Recreation Hall at 901 NW Alexander St. in Coupeville.
Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@heraldnet.com.
David Metheny, campaign director for People for Yes on Whidbey PUD, is among several public utility supporters that will debate employees of Puget Sound Energy at a public forum planned for Oct. 9.
That's just six days before Metheny expects Island County's mail-in ballots to arrive at most homes. By election day in November, Metheny hopes he'll have proof in hand for what he's always suspected: that the people of Whidbey Island are savvy and steely enough to run their own utility service.
Metheny and the rest of the island residents behind People for Yes on Whidbey PUD say the electric service provided by Puget Sound Energy is unreliable. Puget Sound Energy, which serves nearly 35,000 people on Whidbey Island, has argued that it makes timely repairs when there are problems, and that starting a utilities district is more expensive and complex than Metheny and his partners say.
The two sides debated early this month before a packed house, Metheny said.
"There was a lot of anger about the lack of reliable electricity service," he said.
Metheny said he expects a similar showing on Thursday, Oct. 9, the last debate before the vote. The debate is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Coupeville Recreation Hall at 901 NW Alexander St. in Coupeville.
Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@heraldnet.com.
Story tags »
• Coupeville • Whidbey Island • PUDTo learn more
For more information about the debate over the proposed utility district, visit the proponents' Web site, www.whidbeypud.org, or Puget Sound Energy's site, www.pse.com.
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