October 4-10, 2015 is Public Power Week, a time when communities across the U.S. celebrate the advantages of public power. More than 2,000 cities and towns light up their homes, businesses and streets with public power.

Through locally elected officials, Commissioner Steve Houston, Commissioner Ernie Bolz and Commissioner Scott Vejraska, Okanogan PUD ratepayers have a say in how the utility is run as Okanogan PUD is consumer owned.  The Board of Commissioners and the entire staff of Okanogan PUD are dedicated to providing reliable electric service within our service area. Knowing the community and its needs helps keep homes, businesses, and public places powered year-round while maintaining some of the lowest rates in Washington State.

Okanogan PUD serves approximately 15,500 customers composed mainly of residential, commercial and irrigation accounts. The electric system consists of 1,373 miles of overhead and 437 miles of underground distribution lines. Okanogan PUD also owns a 115 kV transmission system, which consists of 104 miles of line and 16 substations. In addition, in 2001 we began providing wholesale, cost-based broadband service to retail service providers, who provide their service to the residents and businesses of Okanogan County.

As we celebrate Public Power Week, rate payers can be certain that Okanogan PUD will continue to provide safe, reliable, environmentally responsible, and competitively priced electricity and services for many years to come.

During Public Power Week, we will be offering free to ratepayers the opportunity to choose an energy saving surge protector or a box that includes two (2) energy efficient shower heads and two (2) LED 25,000 hour light bulbs. These energy saving devices are available all week at a local Okanogan PUD branch office.