PUD needs King for sensible ideas

Our current Snohomish County PUD commissioners have repeatedly made poor energy decisions based on questionable recommendations from their staff.

Examples of poor PUD energy investment decisions include WPPSS (Whoops!), Enron and millions wasted chasing “dry” geothermal holes.

PUD is pursuing risky energy projects such as tidal power at Admiralty Inlet and hides the fact that much of the cost is paid by the rate payers.

PUD commissioners refuse all forms of communication with ratepayers outside of public meetings.

PUD is losing over $1 million a year operating its Young’s Creek hydroelectric project.

PUD is wasting millions on the Sunset Falls Hydroelectric project that disturbs ESA threatened critical salmon habitat on a protected scenic river, including blasting of thousands of cubic yards of excavation at the toe of known landslide-prone slopes. Power generated from this project will likely be sold on the open market to California to meet their renewable energy credit needs. Energy generated from the project will come in the spring high flow months when PUD is awash in excess hydro and wind power.

PUD has made questionable “gifts” of public money to a private homeowners association by paying for traffic studies, scheduling meetings, free tree trimming services and overpaying for land six times its value for a project that may never be built!

PUD customers pay the highest electrical rates of any PUD in the state, with six rate increase in the last five years!

Please vote for Bruce King in the upcoming election. He has sensible ideas for solar power and is capable of reining in the out of control PUD staff that create tunnel vision for the commissioners. Bruce King is willing to meet with PUD rate payers and truly listen to their concerns.

Vote for Bruce King on Nov. 4.

William Lider

Lynnwood

Talk to us

More in Opinion

A map of the I-5/SR 529 Interchange project on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Set your muscle memory for work zone speed cameras

Starting next summer, not slowing down in highway work zones can result in a $500 fine.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, June 1

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

File - A teenager holds her phone as she sits for a portrait near her home in Illinois, on Friday, March 24, 2023. The U.S. Surgeon General is warning there is not enough evidence to show that social media is safe for young people — and is calling on tech companies, parents and caregivers to take "immediate action to protect kids now." (AP Photo Erin Hooley, File)
Editorial: Warning label on social media not enough for kids

The U.S. surgeon general has outlined tasks for parents, officials and social media companies.

Anabelle Parsons, then 6, looks up to the sky with binoculars to watch the Vaux's swifts fly in during Swift's Night Out, Sept. 8, 2018 in Monroe. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Birders struggle with legacy, name of Audubon

Like other chapters, Pilchuck Audubon is weighing how to address the slaveholder’s legacy.

Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, left, and Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, right, embrace after a special session to figure out how much to punish drug possession on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Olympia, Wash. Without action, Washington's drug possession law will expire July 1, leaving no penalty in state law and leaving cities free to adopt a hodgepodge of local ordinances.  (Karen Ducey/The Seattle Times via AP)
Editorial: With law passed, make it work to address addiction

Local jurisdictions, treatment providers, community members and more have a part in the solutions.

Comment: Promise seen in vaccines to prevent breast cancer

Studies have shown good results in preventing a recurrence of cancer in patients and are being expanded.

Stigma over homelessness is frustrating efforts of many

Our community is full of people with good hearts like Penelope Protheroe… Continue reading

Plan for library cards after prison will open paths

Washington state’s Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and State Librarian Sara Jones,… Continue reading

Don’t cut vital safety net programs in debt ceiling deal

In response to a recent letter to the editor regarding the debt… Continue reading

Most Read