Lewis County PUD

Public Utility District #1

 

Welcome to Lewis County PUD!

 

The mission of Lewis County Public Utility District #1 is to provide a low-cost reliable source of electrical energy and quality service commensurate with prudent business practices to present and future Lewis County residents and business.

Governance

Lewis County PUD is a municipal corporation of the State of Washington, formed by the people of Lewis County to provide electric service. Public utility districts are governed by commissioners who are elected locally to represent specific districts within the service area of the utility. The District has a board of three commissioners that serve individual six-year terms representing their respective districts. The District's board of commissioners normally meets every Monday at 10:00 a.m. at the Chehalis PUD office, except that the first meeting of every month is held at the Morton office.

Electric Service

There are twenty-eight public utility districts throughout the State of Washington. PUDs have the authority to provide electric, water, sewer service and wholesale telecommunications service. Lewis County PUD provides electric service to the southeast portion of Pierce County and substantially all of Lewis County with the exception of the City of Centralia. The District serves about 31,000 electric customers and its electric rates are among the lowest in the state and nation. The District also provides dark fiber lease services for local retail telecommunication companies and governmental entities.

Electric Generation

The District owns and operates the Cowlitz Falls Hydroelectric Project that produces on average 260,000 megawatt hours (Mwhrs) annually. The District and the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) cooperatively developed the Cowlitz Falls Project. The District is the owner of the Project, while BPA has purchased the annual output under a long-term contract. In exchange for receiving the output of the Project, BPA pays all costs associated with its operation and maintenance. The District buys its power from BPA, so the power generated by the Cowlitz Falls Project helps supply the needs of Lewis County.