PUD race comes at key point for utility

By KATHY DAY

Herald Writer

The District 2 race for Snohomish County PUD commissioner has generated lots of campaign signs but not much else.

Although Kathy Vaughn or Tim Harrigan will be elected to represent residents in an area from Mukilteo south to the King County line and west of I-5, voters from throughout the county and Camano Island — the area served by the PUD — will vote in this race.

Incumbent Vaughn, elected six years ago to her first term, is going up against political newcomer Harrigan.

She says she’s running because she has a job to finish; he says he’s running because he wants to serve his community.

Vaughn says the most important matter for the district is deregulation of the state’s utilities. California and other states are facing issues of costs and power availability and have found that the system they instituted isn’t working, Vaughn said.

While the district can learn from that, she added, she sees "no benefits for Snohomish County or the Pacific Northwest" in changing how the industry works.

A particularly hot button for public power agencies in the Northwest that get power from the Bonneville Power Administration is the issue of "preference." Vaughn describes it as "the ability to purchase power from Bonneville at cost" as Northwest agencies now do. The practice is being challenged by some California legislators and has raised the ire of Gov. Gary Locke and publicly owned utilities like the PUD.

"We have to start addressing these issues now because they could jeopardize the low-cost power base that has given us such a rich economy," Vaughn said.

In contrast, Harrigan, said he sees past decisions by the board as the biggest issue for the district.

"When there’s a poor decision or group of them, the ratepayers pay," he said, adding that good decisions mean low rates. "The board needs someone tuned in to problems that has common sense."

This board, he continued, "has had a history of strange advice." In particular, he cites the board’s move away from buying power from BPA when it decided to try and find cheaper power on the open market.

But when asked about a decision last week to shift back to a contract with the federal agency that could provide up to 85 percent of the PUD’s electricity needs, he said he "hasn’t looked at that."

He added, "It’s still up in the air. It all revolves around what Bonneville decides to do."

He said he’s studied previous district annual reports and budgets — although he conceded last week that he hasn’t reviewed the 2001 draft budget that was presented Oct. 2.

He has not attended board meetings, he said, because he but refuses to take time off from work. If he’s elected, he’ll try to shift meetings to evening hours but said he has an agreement with his partners that he can have time off during the daytime if he doesn’t succeed in the shift.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.