(Current News)

• PUD Partners with Seven Communities for Energy Efficiency

  11/18/2009

  Over $460,000 in Stimulus Funds for Local Cities

  Snohomish County PUD will partner on energy-efficiency initiatives with seven local communities, which have received a total of $461,194 in federal stimulus funding under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The cities receiving funding for efficiency projects are: Arlington, Granite Falls, Mill Creek, Marysville, Monroe, Mountlake Terrace and Snohomish.

  “The PUD is excited to work on these vital local projects, which are not only consistent with our long-range energy efficiency goals, but support the entire region’s efforts to meet growing demand through conservation and increased energy efficiency. Congratulations to all the jurisdictions on their successful proposals,” said PUD General Manager Steve Klein.

  The federal ARRA funding is intended to assist cities with populations of less than 35,000 to improve energy efficiency and reduce fossil fuel emissions in their communities. The program is administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.

  "This funding is a huge win for Washington state," said Governor Christine Gregoire. "It puts people to work while advancing our state’s environmental goals. These projects will ensure energy efficiency, which will lead to large cost savings for our smaller communities."

  The community projects funded under the program are as follows:

  • Arlington: Energy-efficient lighting and HVAC upgrades in city buildings ($135,000);
  • Granite Falls: Energy-efficient lighting retrofits and exit signs at City Hall and Police Station; new windows at City Hall (($24,347);
  • Marysville: Energy-efficient retrofits, traffic signals and street lighting ($46,042)
  • Mountlake Terrace: Energy-efficient transit development demonstration project ($134,915); and
  • Joint Projects/Grant ($120,840):
    • Mill Creek: Energy-efficient lighting retrofits in various city buildings;
    • Monroe: Energy-efficient lighting retrofits in various city buildings;
    • Snohomish: Energy-efficient retrofits and HVAC upgrades in various city buildings.

  In all, the projects are expected to result in energy savings of nearly 500,000 kilowatt-hours per year, a reduction of about 140,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

  Snohomish County PUD has a long history of working with residents and businesses on energy-efficiency measures. Since the early 1980s, its programs have resulted in more than 90 average-megawatts of energy savings, enough energy for nearly 70,000 homes. In 2008, it exceeded its conservation goal by 11 percent, saving customers nearly $4.5 million in energy bills.

• PUD Offers Tips to Weather the Stormy Season

  11/4/2009

  Get the Jump on Winter Storms!

  Snohomish County Public Utility District reminds customers about several things they can do this fall to be better prepared in case Mother Nature strikes in the coming months.

  Create an Emergency Kit

  A simple emergency kit can help you get through outages. A kit should contain items such as:

  • Flashlight
  • Batteries
  • Matches
  • Bottled water
  • Food bars, canned food
  • Blankets
  • Manual can opener
  • Battery-powered radio
  • Battery-powered clock
  • First aid pack – band aids, antibiotic ointment, gauze

  Plan Ahead for Special Medical Needs

  It’s critical that customers using special medical equipment at home, such as respirators, consider purchasing a backup generator and/or have other contingency plans in place. They should set up plans with friends or relatives to get to a site with electricity and/or identify emergency centers at local social service agencies and churches. While the PUD strives to provide continuous electric service to customers, it cannot guarantee that occasional power outages or failures won’t occur.  During the winter months the likelihood of power outages increases due to seasonal storms.

  Stay Informed

  Listen to local radio newscasts for the latest information about the PUD’s storm response efforts.  The utility regularly provides updates to KIRO-FM (97.3), KOMO-AM (1000) and KRKO-AM (1380). Utility staff also provides updates to local television stations and newspapers. Customers can also check our site for outage updates and other important information during major storms.

  Who to Call

  Following big storms, the PUD knows many people are without electricity. If you have specific information about a tree in a power line or a power line on the ground, please call the PUD at 425/783-1000 (toll-free at 1-877-783-1000). If it’s a life-threatening situation or medical emergency, call 911. 

  Stay Warm

  If your power goes out, choose a small room with few windows as your primary living area.  Keep your window drapes closed as much as possible. Also dress warmly. Wear several layers of clothes and, if needed, gloves, hat and a scarf.

  Turn Switches Off

  Try to remember what was turned on at the time the power went out and turn the switches to those items to the off position. It’s especially important to turn off anything that has a heating element, such as the electric range, an iron, or a toaster oven. Turning items off will prevent a fire when the power is restored and also help the PUD restore power faster. It’s not necessary to turn off hot water heaters.

  Protect Food

  Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. The contents should be good for at least 24 hours if the door is kept closed. After that, dry ice helps protect food.

  PUD Preparations

  The utility has continued to proactively trim trees throughout the region – and tackle challenging areas such as Camano Island. The PUD trims more than 500 circuit miles of trees annually. In addition, upgrades to its phone system allow it to handle up to 10,000 calls per hour so that customers can report outage locations and receive updates.

  Other Storm Tips:

  • Know what emergency plans are in place at your child’s school or daycare center.
  • If you have an electric garage door opener, locate and know how to use the manual override.
  • Conduct a home safety evaluation, including the garage door and nearby trees/branches that could be a problem.
  • During windstorms, if you’re indoors, move away from windows or other objects that could break or fall and move to lower floors in multi-story homes.
  • If you are outdoors, move into a building and avoid downed electric power lines, poles and trees.

  If you are driving, pull off the road and stop away from trees.  If possible, walk into a safe building.  Avoid overpasses, power lines and other hazards.

• Sign up for PUD’s Planet Power and Get a $15 Gift Card

  11/2/2009

  Live Green, Give Green, Get Green

  Snohomish County PUD’s Planet Power program offers a way for customers to voluntarily support renewable energy projects in our communities.  When customers sign up by December 31, 2009, they’ll also receive a special $15 gift card (existing customers just need to increase their subscription to qualify). The offer is good while supplies last.

  More than 3,100 PUD customers are now supporting community solar projects by participating in the utility’s Planet Power green energy program. The program exemplifies the PUD’s ongoing efforts to develop and promote green energy sources throughout its service territory.

  This year, for example, Planet Power has funded projects at the following sites: Cedar Wood Elementary School, Snohomish High School, Stanwood High School, Snoqualmie Gourmet Ice Cream, Mukilteo City Hall and Community Transit’s Mountlake Terrace Transit Center. In addition, each of the schools benefit from an educational curriculum that includes teacher training, activity guides and science kits customized for the grade level of the students. Under the program, four other local schools are receiving the education curriculum using data shared from these projects.

  Customers can enroll in Planet Power at any time. They can either opt to contribute $3 or more each month as part of their utility bill payment or make a one-time payment of $15 or more (a $36 one-time payment is required to receive the special gift card). Every dollar contributed goes directly to operate the program, educate the community and increase the level of energy that is produced from renewable sources.

  Some restrictions apply. Sign up for Planet Power by filling out the card in your bill, by calling 425-783-1700, or online at www.snopud.com/planetpower.

• Snohomish PUD Reaches Key Agreements on Jackson Hydro Project Relicensing

  10/28/2009

  Plan Balances Environmental, Recreational, Energy & Water Needs

  Snohomish County Public Utility District has reached agreements with several key parties as part of the relicensing of the Henry M. Jackson Hydroelectric Project, located north of Sultan, Wash. The settlement agreements are the result of an exhaustive collaborative process with more than a dozen interested stakeholders, including federal and state agencies, tribal government, municipalities and a non-governmental organization. A broad variety of interests are served under the agreements, including significant measures to provide: environmental and recreational benefits, improved protections for Treaty-reserved resources for the Tulalip Tribes, a municipal water supply and low-cost, emission-free hydroelectric power.

  The PUD filed the settlement agreements with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on October 14, 2009, to supplement its relicensing application. FERC has authority to issue a new license for a term of up to 50 years, effective May 31, 2011.

  The Tulalip Tribes, one of the key parties supporting the agreements, were instrumental in helping to scope issues, submit study requests and review study data and technical reports.

  "This signing helps demonstrate that two positive forces in the community have agreed to move forward in a renewed, energetic partnership," said Steve Klein, Snohomish PUD General Manager. "The PUD is very pleased to work hand-in-hand with the Tulalips on projects of mutual interest focused on fish, wildlife, water, energy and environmental stewardship. I'm confident many good things are going to be accomplished."

  "We are pleased the Tulalip Tribes and the PUD reached an agreement that will improve protections for salmon and other natural and cultural resources that are critical to our people," said Tulalip Tribes Chairman Mel Sheldon. "These important agreements pave the way for the Tulalip Tribes and all of Snohomish County to benefit from environmental protection and continued power from the Jackson Hydro Project."

  In addition to the Tulalip Tribes, several other key parties contributed to the process, including: the National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Parks Service, Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife, Washington State Department of Ecology, Snohomish County, City of Everett, City of Sultan and American Whitewater.

  The settlement agreement and proposed new FERC license call for a series of measures to continue to protect and enhance Spada Lake and the Sultan River basin. Among these measures, the settlement includes:

  • Increasing river flows in the reach of the river just below Culmback Dam,
  • Creating diverse habitat conditions for fish using several means including large woody debris,
  • Re-connecting and enhancing old side channels to the Sultan River to provide additional habitat,
  • Modifying a natural landslide and the City of Everett's diversion dam, as needed, to improve fish passage
  • Continuing management of old growth areas and noxious weeds
  • Monitoring and protecting historic properties
  • Protecting local wildlife, such as the Marbled Murrelets, and terrestrial habitat
  • Providing scheduled whitewater flows for recreational use
  • Improving boat ramps
  • Converting former roadways into hiking trails

  In relicensing the Jackson Project, the PUD has utilized an Integrated Licensing Process, which promotes early identification of potential issues among those interested in the project's operation. The utility conducted more than 20 studies to evaluate the project's impact on the environment. The studies examined issues such as fish and wildlife impacts, Sultan River water quality, basin cultural resources and recreational boating flows and accessibility.

  Throughout the process, the PUD has sought a new license that allows it to operate the project in an economically feasible manner while protecting the high quality public water supply in balance with fish, wildlife, recreation and cultural resources.

  The Jackson Hydroelectric Project serves two valuable purposes. The clean, renewable energy source provides about 5 percent of the PUD's energy needs and about 80 percent of Snohomish County's water supply needs.

• Snohomish PUD Nets $15.8 Million for Smart Grid

  10/27/2009

  Federal Stimulus Funds to Create Green Jobs, Strengthen Electrical System

  Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) today announced that it will receive $15.8 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to embark on a major smart grid technology upgrade, which will create a stronger, more efficient and reliable electrical system. The grant will allow the utility to install a new 156-mile state-of-the-art fiber system and bring up to 76 green jobs to Western Washington. Installation and testing will begin in early 2010.

  "This Smart Grid Technology investment award will help Snohomish PUD lay the foundation for a modernized grid system that will enable greater efficiencies and the integration of a diversified portfolio of clean new renewable energy sources," said PUD General Manager Steve Klein. "Governor Gregoire and the Northwest Congressional delegation have been at the forefront of this effort that not only puts us on the best path for the future but will also put jobs on the street as we begin construction on this important infrastructure."

  The funds will support the installation of a smart grid framework on the utility side, including a digital telecommunications network, substation automation and a robust distribution system infrastructure. It will connect to 62 substations, two radio sites and PUD buildings. It will allow for future smart grid technologies, such as smart meters, which will help the utility and its customers manage power consumption, plan their energy use and ultimately reduce green house gases.

  "Snohomish PUD's project will accomplish a key objective of the state's energy strategy - improving our electrical grid in order to integrate clean energy sources, empowering more energy efficient use and opening the door for other clean energy technology like plug-in electric vehicles," said Washington Governor Chris Gregoire. "The PUD has emerged as a strong leader in the research and development of clean energy resources. I am pleased this funding will further its efforts to effectively integrate renewable energy into the smart grid."

  "Investments in smart grid technology will create good jobs right here in Washington state and will help reduce energy costs for families and businesses," said U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). "These funds will help Washington state remain at the forefront of the clean-energy economy and will help keep our power grid reliable and secure."

  "The nation's electricity grid is starting to show its age and is straining to meet an ever-increasing demand," said Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA). "This funding represents a real commitment by the federal government to infuse intelligence into our electricity grid to make it more efficient and reliable and empower homeowners and businesses to reduce electricity costs and create high-paying, long-term jobs."

  "Building a smart grid and using smarter energy is just smart money," said Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA). "Washington state has been at the forefront of new energy technology and today's grants are further evidence of that. SnoPUD has been a terrific partner in these efforts. Their work developing an intelligent distribution grid will lower energy consumption, reduce green house gases, and result in real savings for working families."

  "The Department of Energy's Smart Grid award will create good-paying jobs and help Snohomish County PUD reduce pollution," said U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA), who wrote a letter in support of Snohomish PUD's application for Smart Grid funds. "This is another example of how the stimulus package is putting Americans to work and building a foundation for future economic growth in our region."

  Smart grid technology also will provide a means for the PUD to better integrate into its electrical system a broad range of locally-generated renewable energy resources, such solar, biomass, low-impact hydropower and geothermal. The utility is actively involved in the research and development of renewable energy resources in Western Washington.

  The grant for the PUD smart grid initiative is one of only two in Washington state; the other grant was awarded to Spokane's Avista Utilities. The grants are part of a larger $3.4 billion ARRA smart grid investment aimed at promoting energy-savings for consumers, increasing efficiency and fostering the growth of renewable energy sources.

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