The group hoping to form an electric company on Whidbey Island will hold an informational meeting next week for residents who want to run for commissioner of the proposed utility company.

Supporters of the drive to create a new public utility district, “People For Yes on Whidbey PUD,” submitted petitions earlier this month to get the proposal on the November ballot. The group is now seeking people who want to run for election for the three commissioner positions that will exist if voters approve the formation of a Whidbey PUD.

The meeting is at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24 at the Freeland Library.

If voters approve the formation of the new electric company in November, the process would begin for a takeover of Puget Sound Energy’s territory on Whidbey Island.

PSE is the state’s largest electric and natural gas utility and serves roughly 34,000 customers on Whidbey.

Organizers said the July 24 meeting is for interested candidates only.

Once candidates have filed to run as PUD commissioners, officials from “People For Yes on Whidbey PUD” will host three meet-and-greet gatherings with the candidates and voters in late August or early September in Oak Harbor, Coupeville and Freeland.

The dates, locations and times of the meetings will be announced later.