(Current News)

• PUD Reminds Customers about Potential Scams; Verify Identity

  5/16/2013

  New Schemes Use Social Media, Texting, Automated Phone Calls

  Snohomish County PUD reminds customers about potential scams that aim to steal customers’ identity and bill payment information. Criminals use various means of solicitation, including in person door-to-door visits, social media, fliers, phone calls and text messages.

  Recent ploys have tried to lure both residential and business customers. They may claim the customer’s bill is delinquent and/or tell them there is special funding for utility bill assistance.. Customers are typically asked for personal information, such as social security identification or credit card numbers. They also may provide victims with a fraudulent bank routing number with which to pay their utility bills.

  If a PUD customer receives a phone call asking for financial information related to their bill, they should never provide this information. The PUD never calls customers to collect credit card information over the phone. The only time a credit card number is taken over the phone is through an outside bill-payment service. In this case, the phone call and payment is initiated by the customer by calling 1-888-909-4628.

  If a customer receives a phone call, supposedly from the utility, and isn’t sure if it actually came from the PUD, he/she should call PUD Customer Service, at 425-783-1000 to verify the information he/she was given. The PUD representative will be able to tell the customer whether or not the call was legitimate.

  If a person comes to a customer’s home or business claiming to be a PUD employee, the customer should ask to see PUD identification. Employees carry an ID card with their picture on it and will gladly show it to customers.

• Learn about Solar Energy for Your Home at Community Meetings

  5/10/2013

  PUD Solar Express

  Are you interested in learning about the financial and environmental benefits that come with owning your own solar energy system? Join Snohomish County Public Utility District this month for informational sessions about the utility’s Solar Express program, which offers a range of incentives and educational support for customers interested in solar energy. The utility’s program covers both solar photovoltaic (PV or solar electric) systems and solar hot water systems. In the past three years, the number of solar units has tripled in Snohomish County.

  Solar Sessions:

  Tuesday, May 21 – 6 to 7:30 p.m.
  PUD Everett Commission Room, 2320 California Street

  Wednesday, May 29 – 6 to 7:30 p.m.
  PUD Edmonds/South County Office, 21018 Highway 99

  Solar energy is a largely untapped source of renewable energy in Western Washington. With a photovoltaic system, a PUD customer can generate clean, green, renewable energy.

  Cash Incentives/Loans:

  Residential customers can qualify for up to $2,500 for solar photovoltaic systems and commercial customers can qualify for up to $10,000. All customers with electric water heaters can qualify for a $500 incentive on solar hot water systems. Residential customers may instead opt for a 2.9% APR loan up to $25,000 for photovoltaic systems and up to $14,000 for solar hot water systems. Customers may also qualify for additional federal tax credits and state production incentives.

  Solar Express is one of the ways the PUD is promoting clean, locally-generated renewable resources. For more information, including meeting registration and program qualifications, call the PUD Energy Hotline at 425-783-1700 or click here.

• PUD Recognizes Drinking Water Week - May 5-11

  5/3/2013

  Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) joins the American Water Works Association in celebrating 2013 Drinking Water Week. The annual event provides an opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives.

  The United States boasts one of the safest water supplies in the world. Treatment practices and strong environmental regulations have greatly improved U.S. water supplies in the past century and reduced waterborne diseases.

  Consumers can take some simple steps to help maintain water quality at home:

  • Clean faucets and aerators regularly
  • Clean and disinfect sinks and drains regularly
  • Keep drains clear and unclogged
  • Use cold water for drinking and preparing food
  • Replace old plumbing and install certified “lead free” fixtures
  • Flush cold water taps after household plumbing work or when the water hasn’t been used for several days
  • Drain and flush your hot water heater annually
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the water heater, filters, treatment devices, softeners and any other products attached to the water system
  • Do not connect hoses or other devices intended for non-drinking purposes to household drinking water faucets
  • Keep hazardous chemicals and unsanitary materials away from drinking water faucets

  The PUD provides water service to about 20,000 customers in a 205 square mile area in Lake Stevens, Granite Falls and several rural communities in East Snohomish County. Maintaining a safe and reliable water supply is one of the highest priorities for the PUD. To ensure the safety of drinking water, the PUD regularly collects samples throughout its water system for bacteriological testing in accordance with state and federal regulations.

  About Drinking Water Week

  For more than 35 years, AWWA and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week – a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives.

• PUD Doubles Your Savings Potential When You Recycle Fridge

  5/2/2013

  Free Haul-Away of Your Old Fridge or Freezer

  Recycle your old fridge or freezer this spring or summer, and you’ll have a chance to double your savings. Getting rid of an energy-wasting unit can save you up to $200 in energy costs annually. If you recycle a fridge/freezer before July 31, you’ll be automatically entered in monthly drawings for a chance to win $200 off your PUD bill. Plus you’ll be eligible to win weekly drawings for LED lighting packets (valued at $50 each). Start your spring cleaning by getting rid of your fridge/freezer – you’ll create some extra storage space and start saving!

  How to Recycle Your Appliance

  Requirements: To have a refrigerator or freezer picked up and recycled, it needs to be in working condition and 10 to 32 cubic feet in size. The program is for Snohomish County PUD customers only. Customers must own the unit(s) being recycled, with a pickup limit of two units per account. 

  To schedule a free pick-up, Snohomish County PUD customers should call JACO Environmental toll-free 1-877-577-0510. To help process your request, please have your PUD account number available. Some restrictions apply for the prize drawings. Rules and details are available by clicking here.

  Other Energy Savers

  Many PUD weatherization incentives have increased this year. The utility can help you cover costs for duct sealing and insulation, heat pumps and efficient windows (for electrically heated homes). Install a ductless heat pump, for example, and you’ll receive a rebate of up to $1,200. These units not only reduce your PUD bill, but they also improve comfort in your home. The utility also offers discounts on compact fluorescent light bulbs and LEDs. For more information, call the PUD Energy Hotline at 425-783-1700 or click here.

• Save Energy & Money, Improve Comfort & Productivity

  4/30/2013

  Powerful Business Energy Conference – May 23

  Northwest businesses can discover savings opportunities in their facilities by attending the 2013 Powerful Business Energy Conference on May 23 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Wash. The conference is presented by the Electric League and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. Snohomish County PUD is sponsoring the event, along with Puget Sound Energy and Seattle City Light.

  Powerful Business Energy Conference
  May 23, 2013, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  Meydenbauer Center
  11100 NE 6^th Street – Bellevue, Wash.
  Registration: 425-646-4727 ~ www.electricleague.net

  Essential energy-related ideas and operating tips will be shared in a series of four tracks designed for commercial building owners and managers, building operations and engineering staff, architects, consulting engineers, property developers, utility staff and others interested in energy efficiency.

  The program will feature keynote speaker Dana Schneider, vice president of sustainability for Jones Lang LaSalle, which designed an energy management program for the Empire State Building that saved $4.4 million. Other case studies and sessions will include presenters from Boeing, the Everett Clinic, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Lighting Design Lab, Microsoft and McKinstry.

  To register, call the Electric League at 425-646-4727 or visit www.electricleague.net.

• Snohomish PUD Named a Top U.S. Utility for Programs and Value

  4/26/2013

  In a national survey of 82 utilities completed this spring, measuring customer satisfaction, Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) ranked #1 for its program offerings. It ranked #2 for overall “brand value,” which measured nine key attributes, including reliability, customer service and environmental friendliness. The survey was conducted by E Source, an independent energy research and information firm, in coordination with the Nielsen Company. The PUD has offered conservation programs since the early 1980s, and its senior and low-income assistance programs are some of the most comprehensive in the Pacific Northwest.

  “The ranking affirms that we’ve been successful at aligning our programs and services with what our customers want from their utility,” said PUD Assistant General Manager of Customer & Energy Services Jim West. “They consistently tell us we’re focusing on the right issues, including conservation, renewable energy and reliable service.”

  The nine attributes measured in the overall value ranking included:

  • Customer service
  • Community involvement
  • Customer perception of utility image
  • Environmental friendliness
  • Program offerings
  • Communication effectiveness
  • Price-to-value ratio
  • Customer loyalty to utility
  • Reliability

  Snohomish County PUD continues to be acknowledged at the local, regional and national levels. 

  It has been recognized as a “Top Green Company” by both Seattle Business Magazine and Computerworld Magazine, its efficiency programs have earned top honors from the Bonneville Power Administration and its hydroelectric projects have received awards from the Puget Sound Regional Council, Renewable Energy World and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Its leadership within the industry has helped it secure more than $30 million for renewable energy, conservation and grid modernization programs.

  For the E Source report, click here.

• PUD Tips for Reducing Bills, Helping the Environment

  4/25/2013

  Easy Spring Savers

  Snohomish County PUD customers can keep their bills in check this season by following a few easy steps. There are countless ways to save money and help the environment at the same time.

  Simple Savers:

  • Unplug any 2nd refrigerators not in use (or move items to primary refrigerator).
  • Defrost your freezer when ice or frost build-up is ¼ inch or thicker.
  • Set your water heater temperature no higher than 120° F.
  • Use resource-efficient appliances. Look for the Energy Star label.
  • Install low-flow showerheads and low-flow faucet aerators.
  • Repair leaking or dripping hot water faucets.
  • Use your microwave instead of your oven whenever possible.
  • Use small cooking appliances when possible – electric fry pans, toaster ovens, etc.
  • When using your oven, cook more than one item at a time.
  • For lighting, use LEDs and compact fluorescent light bulbs.
  • Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.

  Recycle Your Old Fridge

  Your old energy-wasting fridge or freezer is costing you money – up to $200 this year and every year you keep it. The PUD will haul it away for free and recycle it safely. Start saving today! Take advantage of the free haul-away from the PUD. To schedule an appointment, call JACO Environmental toll-free at 1-877-577-0510.

  Get Efficient with Weatherization & Heating

  Many PUD incentives have recently increased. The utility can help you cover costs for duct sealing and insulation, heat pumps and efficient windows (for electrically heated homes). Install a ductless heat pump, for example, and you’ll receive a rebate of up to $1,200. These units not only reduce your PUD bill, but they also improve comfort in your home.

  For other energy-saving tips and more information about PUD conservation programs, click here or call the PUD Energy Hotline at 425-783-1700.

View Archived News