Jefferson PUD says recent rate changes will fund Port Ludlow reliability projects

Jefferson PUD representatives told the Port Ludlow village council that recent changes to the utility's rate structure will fund a slate of local reliability projects, including substation work and a transformer rebuild for Bay 2.

"As of July 5, the rate structure ... has finally taken effect," Jason Hahn, Jefferson PUD, said, summarizing the board‑approved schedule. He said the change produces about a 9% residential rate increase for this year as part of a four‑year program, with a roughly 7.75% adjustment slated for the next year. Hahn said the board will review project progress each year before advancing further increases so the utility can balance reliability needs and customer costs.

The presentation identified specific local investments: substation builds, feeders and a Bay 2 transformer that has already arrived. The PUD plans to direct the rate proceeds primarily to projects in Port Ludlow and said project lists and budgets will be reviewed in upcoming board and budget meetings. Hahn invited residents to attend the PUD's October budget meeting to see the "nuts and bolts" of purchase‑power and project spending.

Council members and the utility also discussed how external wholesale power costs factor into retail rates. Hahn said Bonneville's transmission and tiered power costs have contributed to the changes, noting an 8.9% power charge and a larger transmission component in recent Bonneville calculations.

The council did not vote on the rate plan during the meeting; attendees were encouraged to weigh in at future public budget sessions where staff will present more detailed project budgets and timing.