Recently our Snohomish County Public Utility District committed to purchase a large block of natural gas, at the same time informing ratepayers they would be penalized $650,000 if we back out of this agreement to supply gas for a new power plant. This news comes shortly after the PUD rushed through another 18 percent rate increase on top of the 35 percent rate increase passed earlier this year, giving us the highest electric rates in the state. Despite state laws requiring public approval to build a power plant, our PUD apparently plans to circumvent the public approval process by simply paying cash to build this power plant, rather than using public bonds.
Ratepayers are now left to question the need for the 18 percent rate increase. Was it really necessary? Or was it an unethical scheme to cover the cost of their $225 million power plant and avoid a public vote?
The Herald’s Sept. 24 editorial spoke of the need for ample time and opportunity for public discussion and examination of all major decisions to ensure continued trust in our PUD. This debate could have begun back in January, when the PUD first released the plans to build this power plant and sell the electricity out of state. These efforts to expand into natural gas, telecommunication and other for-profit ventures may jeopardize our access to the lowest cost electricity in the nation, provided at cost on preferential basis to public utilities by the Bonneville Power Administration
Can we expect The Herald to use its influence with the PUD Commission to demand an open forum for ratepayer approval of this power plant? Silence will determine if we should continue to place any trust in either of these organizations.
Mukilteo
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