Speak Up! Speak Out!

PSE/PUD controversy

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A Public Utility District General Manager speaks for public ownership of Electric Utilities - October 23, 2008
Rick Lovely, General Manager of Grays Harbor PUD, which provides electric service in the Aberdeen area, discusses how public ownership and local control of a utility translate to better service with lower rates and higher customer satisfaction than private investor-owner utilities provide. He warns Skagit residents of the magnitude of debt we may be incurring if Macquarie assumes control of Puget Sound Energy.

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PUD Proposition 1 - October 08, 2008
John Smith and Mike Newman, members of Skagit Citizens for Electric Authority explain why a group of Skagitonians are working in support of Proposition 1, which would give Skagit Public Utility District the authority to provide electric service in Skagit County.

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Mt. Vernon Chamber of Commerce hosts Skagit PUD and PSE - July 02, 2008
The June 25 membership luncheon of the Mt. Vernon Chamber of Commerce featured presentations by Dave Johnson, General Manager of Skagit Public Utility District, and Jennifer O'Connor, senior vice president and attorney for Puget Sound Energy. Dave Johnson presents PUD's feasibility study and makes a case supporting consideration of the public assuming ownership of the electric utility. Jennifer O'Connor gives PSE's reasons why the utility should remain private, and defends the pending sale to Macquarie Consortium. This is the abbreviated version edited for our radio show. For more information goto Skagit Citizens for Electric Authority.

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WUTC Hearing - Public Testimony on Proposed Sale of PSE - May 20, 2008
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) heard testimony from the public about the pending sale of PSE to Macquarie Partners, and the proposed PSE rate increase. About 50 of the 150 people who attended the Bellingham hearing spoke. The comments recorded here have been edited to remove contact information for the people who spoke. Most speakers were from Skagit and Whatcom counties, but Island and Kitsap counties were represented as well.
The WUTC will continue to receive comments on the proposed merger until July 31, and on the proposed rate increase until the end of August. Contact them on line at http://wutc.wa.gov/; by mail at Box 47250, Olympia, 98504; by phone at 360 664 1160. Contact PSE directly about the merger by email: merger@pse.com
You may obtain more information about the proposed merger, as well as find easy links to take action, at http://www.savepse.org/ and Skagit Citizens for Electric Authority.

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Skagit Public Utility District - April 30, 2008
Dave Johnson, General Manager of Skagit Public Utility District talks about the possibility that the Skagit PUD could provide electric service to Skagit County in light of the increasing electric rates here - soon to be the highest in the state. For more information goto Skagit Citizens for Electric Authority.

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Pending Sale of PSE to Macquarie Partners - April 22, 2008
Ed Jenkins, a concerned citizen living in south Whidbey Island, relates some of his findings in researching the pending sale of Puget Sound Energy to Macquarie Infrastructures Partnership. He urges people to get involved, and inform themselves about what this sale may mean to our energy rates long term, and the ownership and health of our considerable energy resources in NW Washington.
For more information contact Ed at localpower@live.com. Contact the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission through their website. You can learn more about this case by entering the docket number (U-072375) in the search function. Visit PUD's website. For more information goto Skagit Citizens for Electric Authority.

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