Connecting Customers to Environmental Impact

Snohomish County PUD is expanding how it supports customers and communities in building a more sustainable future through its new Go Sustainable! initiative, a pilot program designed to turn environmental ideas into action. The program, which launched July 1, creates a clear pathway for customers to share sustainability-focused projects, questions and opportunities with the utility.

The initiative supports the PUD’s Strategic Priority to Build a Sustainable Future with Our Communities and reflects the utility’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. Through the program, residential, business and community customers can submit ideas related to environmental sustainability, including energy efficiency, water conservation, habitat restoration and other efforts connected to electricity, water and PUD services.

The PUD is committed to supporting the people and communities it serves and work toward a more sustainable future. The program is designed to help customers connect with existing PUD resources while also creating a process for evaluating new ideas that could benefit customers and communities.

When a request is submitted, PUD staff first determine whether an existing program already addresses the need. If so, customers are connected directly with the appropriate department or service. For innovative ideas that fall outside current offerings, requests may undergo a deeper review to determine whether they align with the PUD’s mission, legal authority and available resources.

“This effort is about turning customer ideas into real, measurable results,” said John Haarlow, PUD CEO/General Manager. “We’re building a consistent, transparent process that allows us to listen, evaluate and respond in a way that supports both our customers’ goals and our responsibilities as a public utility.”

Behind the scenes, a team of PUD employees serves as the engine of the program. The team brings together subject matter experts from across the utility to review requests, gather customer input and assess potential opportunities. Acting as a collaborative think tank, the group helps identify solutions, improvements and potential programs that can deliver meaningful environmental outcomes.

The process is designed to be transparent and responsive. Customers receive confirmation when their request is received and can expect an initial response within 30 days. If additional evaluation is required, the PUD will provide updates throughout the review process and a final decision within 90 days.

Final decisions are made by the PUD’s Environmental Stewardship Committee, which ensures requests align with PUD’s priorities and available resources. The program will also track trends over time, helping inform future planning, investments and potential sustainability programs.

By connecting customer ideas with our expertise, the PUD is helping shape practical solutions that benefit the communities it serves and fulfill its mission as a strong community partner. Go Sustainable! advances environmental stewardship and helps build a cleaner, more sustainable future, one idea at a time.

Customers interested in learning more or submitting a sustainability request can visit the PUD’s Go Sustainable! webpage at snopud.com/gosustainable.