| Douglas County PUD |
July 2026 |
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| The Power Line |
| Douglas PUD Customer Newsletter |
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Celebrating 90 years of community-owned power — 1936–2026
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| A Message from the General Manager |
| 90 years of powering our communities |
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This year marks a milestone for Douglas County PUD (Public Utility District) — 90 years of serving the homes, farms, and businesses of our community. It’s a good moment to pause and think about what that number really means.
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Ninety years ago, our community made a choice. Voters in Douglas County decided that they would like public power to light their homes and farms. Public power is owned by the people it serves, and run without a profit motive. People who cast those votes in 1936 couldn’t have imagined that electricity would come to power nearly every part of daily life. But they understood something simple and lasting — that a utility owned by its customers answers to its customers.
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| Steady Hands at the Helm |
Pictured, left to right: Commissioner Molly Simpson, Commissioner Aaron Viebrock, General Manager Gary Ivory, and Commissioner Ron Skagen.
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Our PUD is governed by a Board of Commissioners — Molly Simpson, Aaron Viebrock, and Ron Skagen — who are elected by you. They don’t chase headlines. Their approach has always been careful and deliberate. Every rate schedule is built around the same goal: a fair, non-discriminatory, cost-based approach. That means protecting residential and small business rates, while making sure the large loads pay their own way instead of shifting costs onto everyone else. It’s the kind of discipline that doesn’t make headlines — but it’s exactly what keeps a public utility trustworthy over the long haul.
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It’s not flashy work. But it’s the kind of steady, protective decision-making that has kept Douglas PUD strong for nine decades. It’s exactly the kind of leadership our founders had in mind when they set this District up to answer to local people, not distant shareholders.
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| The Advantage of Public Power |
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There’s a benefit built into how we’re structured that’s easy to take for granted: Douglas PUD owns and operates the Wells Hydroelectric Project — the extra power we generate, beyond what our community needs, gets sold on the wholesale market. That revenue comes back to you — it’s a big part of what keeps our local residential and small commercial rates so low.
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Public power means something simple: it means this utility belongs to the people it serves. It means your rates go back into keeping the lights on, and the infrastructure — Wells Dam, our power lines, our substations — safe and ready for the next generation.
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| Thank You |
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Ninety years is a long time to keep a promise. It’s only possible because customers have trusted us, the employees have shown up every day to keep the power on, and a long line of commissioners have chosen careful stewardship over short-term wins.
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Here’s to the next 90 years of doing good things for our community — quietly, steadily, and together.
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Gary Ivory
General Manager, Douglas County PUD
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| New Rebate |
| Get up to $2,500 for attic insulation |
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Douglas County PUD has launched a new Residential Attic Insulation Rebate Program — and it could put real money back in your pocket while lowering your energy bills year-round.
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Eligible customers can receive a cash rebate of $1,000, $1,750, or $2,500 depending on attic size. If you’re already enrolled in a PUD income assistance program, you qualify for an additional $200 on top of that.
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$1,000
Smaller attic
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$1,750
Mid-sized
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$2,500
Larger attic
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To be eligible, the home must be your primary residence, have an existing electric heat source, and currently have 10 inches of insulation or less. The new insulation must bring your attic to R-49 or higher. New construction does not qualify, and all projects must be completed in 2026.
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Funds are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Don’t wait.
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Questions? Call the Conservation Team at (509) 884-7191 or email conservation@dcpud.org.
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| Service Update |
| Meter changeouts coming your way — here’s how to help |
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Douglas County PUD will be replacing meters across the service area in the upcoming year. This work helps us maintain accurate billing, improve reliability, and serve you better for years to come.
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We need your help to make this go smoothly. Before our crew arrives at your property, please take a few minutes to clear a safe path to your meter.
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| Before our crew arrives |
| ✓ Trim back overgrown vegetation around the meter |
| ✓ Remove stored items or equipment |
| ✓ Make sure pets are secured |
| ✓ Leave at least 4 feet of clear access around the meter |
| ✓ Changed a gate code or lock? Make sure we have updated codes or keys |
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You’ll receive advance notice before we schedule your changeout. If your meter is in an unusually difficult spot or you have specific concerns, contact us at (509) 884-7191 so we can plan ahead. Thank you for helping us keep this project on schedule and our crews safe.
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| Summer Tips |
| Stay cool without running up your bill |
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Warm weather is here, and a few simple habits can keep your home comfortable without stretching your energy budget.
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Raise your thermostat a couple of degrees. Even a small adjustment reduces your cooling system’s workload and adds up over a hot summer. Close your blinds during the hottest part of the day and open windows in the evening to let cooler air in naturally. |
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Check your air conditioner filter. A dirty filter makes your system work harder and use more energy. Clean or replace it regularly through the season. |
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Turn off lights and electronics you’re not using. Indoor lighting and computers generate heat, which makes your cooling system work even harder. |
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Douglas County PUD customers benefit from some of the lowest power rates in the nation, thanks to the clean hydropower generated at Wells Dam. Conservation helps keep it that way for everyone.
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| Community |
| Neighbor to Neighbor |
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We believe no one in our community should have to choose between paying their electric bill and meeting other basic needs. That’s why the District supports the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Energy Assistance Program — built by this community, for this community.
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Douglas County residents who meet household income guidelines may apply for an annual credit of up to $200 applied directly to their PUD account. Qualifying is straightforward: you must live in Douglas County, provide proof of household income, and have not received assistance through this program in the past 12 months.
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Want to help a neighbor? It’s easy. Look for the donation section on the bottom of your statement, or click the Donate button on the website’s Neighbor to Neighbor page linked below. No contribution is too small, and every dollar stays right here in Douglas County.
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