LETTER TO THE EDITOR: PUD uncertainty means no vote

To the editor:

On the subject of PUD versus Puget Sound Energy: I attended a meeting last week during which two candidates for commissioner of the proposed PUD for Whidbey Island gave some information on the plan. I was less than impressed with them, and certainly will vote no on the PUD.

In researching only a little,

I found that we actually do benefit from staying with Puget Sound Energy, high rates and all, in that Puget Sound Energy offers a variety of programs for seniors, those using solar, and that Puget Sound Energy is in the midst of research and development of wind technologies, etc.

Other information: PUD is going to attempt to buy just the “service lines,” not the transmission lines. Puget Sound Energy won’t sell just the service lines, only the whole system. The new PUD plans to go to court to force that sale (more undisclosed money) and Puget Sound Energy estimates cost for the whole thing is more like $130 million or more.

The reason the PUD wants folks to vote for this very quickly is to help pay for a “feasibility study” that will cost us $600,000 right off the bat.

Orcas Island PUD has the highest rates in our area, and they, like us, are at the end of a very large power grid.

Pig in a poke? Seems like one. We simply don’t have enough time before Nov. 4 to study this adequately. Are we willing to trust these guys with almost unlimited reach into our pockets with unknown tax increases, unknown bond obligations, unknown service quality, and no oversight by the state Utilities and Transportation Commission?

I am voting no. We have quite enough financial uncertainty right now.

Anne Pringle

Freeland

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