Douglas County Public Utility District
| File:Douglas County PUD logo.png Logo | |
| Founded | 1936 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | |
| Products | Electric utility |
Production output | 840 megawatts (rated, Wells Dam) |
The Douglas County Public Utility District (Douglas County PUD) is a nonprofit, customer-owned electric cooperative serving the residents of Douglas County, Washington. It is managed by an elected Board of Commissioners and operates under state law. Customers receive financial benefits in the form of reduced rates through dividends.
History
Established in 1936, Douglas County PUD commenced service in 1945 by acquiring segments of the existing electrical infrastructure and extending coverage to rural communities. Initially, its power supply was purchased from the Bonneville Power Administration.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the district developed and obtained licensing for Wells Dam on the Columbia River, with generation beginning in 1967. Rather than integrating this facility immediately into its system due to high expenses, it sold electricity to four utilities that helped fund the project.
Today, Wells Dam provides the majority of electricity for Douglas County and produces excess power sold to other utilities. This surplus contributes to some of the nation’s lowest electric rates for customers within the county.
The PUD actively promotes clean energy by supporting a state-commissioned hydrogen fueling station located in East Wenatchee, which uses surplus hydropower from the Wells Hydroelectric Project. This station offers hydrogen fuel at substantially reduced costs and supports state environmental objectives. Furthermore, the PUD is investing in hydrogen-powered vehicles to advance this innovative technology.
Other Utilities
Douglas County PUD also manages the Douglas County Community Network (DCCN), a fiber optic broadband system delivering high-speed internet access to rural areas by connecting customers with multiple local internet providers.