Douglas County Public Utility District (PUD) is one of more than 2,000 public power systems that provides power on a not-for-profit basis in the United States. “Not-for-profit” means power is provided at the cost of producing and delivering that power. There are no stockholders expecting dividends from the power rates.
If you are a resident of Douglas County, you control the PUD by electing the Commissioners who set policies and a manager to direct the operation of the utility. This provides local control over the utility and responsiveness to community needs. Electric utility revenues stay here and are invested in utility assets to provide service and hold prices down.
In addition to providing you with reliable service at low rates, we at your Douglas County PUD help business and residential customers in our community prosper. Our community’s best interests are at the heart of everything we do.
Our Mission
To provide the best possible utility services at the lowest possible cost consistent with sound business principles.
Value Statements
- Douglas PUD makes policy decisions in open public meetings with consideration of community needs, public input, and the best interests of the District.
- Douglas PUD is fiscally responsible.
- Douglas PUD is environmentally responsible.
- Douglas PUD is service oriented and responsible to its public owners.
- Douglas PUD values its employees.
- Douglas PUD employees take ownership in the services they provide and the assets for which they are responsible.
- Douglas PUD provides a safe workplace and promotes a safe community.
- Douglas PUD pursues regional issues through and is committed to the success of its industry associations.
Planning Statements
- Douglas PUD follows an Integrated Resource Plan for electric supply focused on meeting resource needs with owned assets or long-term contracts.
- Douglas PUD prefers renewable resources in new power-supply decisions.
- Douglas PUD is committed to local and bulk electric system security and reliability.
- Douglas PUD promotes information-age technology development.
- Douglas PUD monitors growth potential to plan system changes proactively.
Our Story
Yesterday
Organized in 1936, Douglas County PUD began operations in 1945 as a non-profit, locally owned electric distribution system. From the beginning, delivery of a reliable supply of electric energy at the lowest possible cost has been our guiding principle, but the real reason the PUD was formed was to deliver modern conveniences to all the residents of the county. After acquiring the county’s existing electric distribution system from investor owned utilities, the PUD constructed about 400 miles of additional power lines to extend service to rural parts of the county. The power supply in those days was the Bonneville Power Administration.
In the late 50’s and early 60’s Douglas PUD worked to license and build the Wells Hydroelectric Project on the Columbia River. In 1967, the first power was generated at this 840 megawatt project. Douglas County did not initially use the power from this plant because it was more costly than power from the Bonneville Power Administration. Instead, the output was sold to four investor-owned utilities who helped finance the project by purchasing power at cost.
Today
Under the watchful eye of our locally elected commissioners, the Wells Project has become the model for providing clean, efficient, reliable and renewable hydroelectric power in the northwest.
This project boasts the most effective juvenile fish bypass on the Columbia River, and its operation funds several salmon and steelhead hatcheries.
These days, power from Wells costs less than half the price of Bonneville power.
True to its original goals, Douglas PUD provides reliable electric service on par with the most reliable systems in the nation. The price for electricity delivered to your home or business in Douglas County is less than the average nationwide wholesale price of power. We aim to continue this trend.