The PUD currently has 3 electric service customers who annually consume approximately 27 average megawatts of electricity.

The PUD currently has a power purchase agreement with BPA to purchase all the energy needed to serve its electric customers.

The PUD has transmission agreements with BPA and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) where the electric energy purchased from BPA is transported to the PUD's electric system.

The PUD owns 13 miles of 115kV transmission lines and two 115kV substations.

Where Does the PUD's Electricity Come From?

The PUD's electricity is generated from a variety of resources.

The History

In 1952,the PUD gained its first electrical customer when General Petroleum, before it became Mobil Oil Corporation, came to Whatcom County looking for a refinery site. At the time, Puget Sound Power and Light was unable to supply the energy or obtain additional energy in the market. The PUD No. 1 of Whatcom County, through an arrangement with other PUDs in Washington State, was able to obtain the energy which permitted the building of the original refinery at Cherry Point. In the process, the PUD became a functional utility. In later years, the PUD would supply electricity to the Tosco Refinery (now ConocoPhilips).

Whatcom PUD - Association Memberships

The PUD is an active member of several electric/energy related associations:

Energy Northwest is a Joint Operating Agency operating under RCW 43:52 and has the authority to acquire, construct, operate and own plants, systems and other facilities, and extensions for generating and/or the transmission of electric energy and power.

Northwest Public Power Association (NWPPA) is an organization of over 160 public/people's utility districts, electric cooperatives, municipalities and crown corporations in Western United States and Canada.  They provide training and education, public information, communication, federal legislative coordination and other products and services for the utility industry.

Did You Know?

Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is a not-for-profit federal agency.  40% of all the power used in the Northwest comes from BPA which is more than 80% hydroelectric.  Almost 60% of the region's electricity comes from hydropower.  Approximately 24% of BPA revenue comes from PUDs in Washington State purchases ($675 million).  Collectively, PUDs are the largest customer of BPA.

Megawhatt Hour (MWh) - One-thousand kilowatt-hours (1,000,000 watts).

Annual Average MW (aMW) - Eight thousand seven hundred sixty megawatt hours (8,760 MWhs or 8,760,000 kWhs.

Kilovolt (kv) - One-thousand volts (1,000). Distribution lines in residential areas usually are 12 kv (12,000 volts).

Substation - A facility with equipment to switch, transform or control electric power.

Other Electric Utility Service Providers in Whatcom County

There are three other electric utilities that provide residential and commercial services in Whatcom County: