About Columbia River PUD

Columbia River People's Utility District is a customer-owned utility providing electric service in Columbia County and northern Multnomah County, Oregon.

A locally-elected Board of Directors sets rates and policies for the PUD.

View a map of the PUD's service area

Fast Facts

• Electric Accounts - 18,500
• Employees - 48
• Energized - August 31, 1984
• Peak Load - 90 MW
• Miles of Distribution Lines:
  • Overhead - 1,360
  • Underground - 406
• Miles of Transmission Lines - 41

History

Sixty-five Columbia County residents initiated formation of Columbia River PUD on November 18, 1939, at Beaver Homes Grange Hall, to be a voice of the people in the utility industry. The Hydroelectric Commission of Oregon declared the District formed on January 11, 1940. The PUD held regular meetings and elections but was not an energy provider for the first 30 years of its existence. Private utility rates increased dramatically in the 1970's, renewing interest in activating the PUD. After several years and many legal battles the PUD was energized on August 31, 1984.

The Difference Between Public and Private Ownership

Columbia River PUD is a member of the public power family. Many people are unaware of the differences between public power utilities and private utilities. If you'd like to know more about public power, read on, or visit the Public Power Council's website for a more detailed account.

Public Power:

The Northwest has about 120 publicly owned utilities, and they serve about half of the population. There are three types of public power utilities: municipal systems, which are governed by the cities they serve; cooperatives, which are private, non-profit corporations governed by their members; and PUDs, special districts formed by a vote of the people they serve. All three share several common traits:

• Local Control - Since public utilities are owned or governed by the people they serve, their customers have more of a say in how they do business.
• Operate for the Benefit of the Customer - Since there are no stockholders in public utilities, there is no need to earn dividends for investors. This generally means lower rates for customers of public utilities. In fact, 9 of the 10 lowest cost utilities in Oregon are public utilities.
• Focus on Service - Public utilities focus on service above all else. Rates are set to cover operating expenses, retire debt, and make improvements to the distribution system to ensure safe, reliable power for years to come.

In Oregon, PUDs are governed by a five-member Board of Directors that is elected by the voters in the PUD's service area. The Board of Directors sets rates based upon the cost of providing service. The PUD's power supply is generally provided by BPA at rates that are less than any of Oregon's private utility rates. The PUD passes these lower rates on to customers. The Board is also responsible for hiring professional managers and staff to operate the utility.

The five-member Board of Directors is elected to represent the local community, and holds regular meetings which are open to the public, customers have an opportunity to influence decisions. PUD customers can also vote to authorize debt (bond sales) to finance the purchase or modification of the district's facilities.

Private Power:

Private power companies, also called "Investor Owned Utilities," operate under a government franchise. They are "for profit" entities whose profits are passed on to their investors. Private utility investors are generally large financial institutions that manage portfolios of stock and often are located outside of Oregon. These investors vote "by proxy" (mail in their vote) on issues decided at the annual meeting, such as the election of Board of Directors members. Only stockholders can attend the annual meeting and vote for board members.

Rates charged by private utilities are governed by the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC). Customers wishing to question or comment on the rates determined by the PUC may do so through their lawyers in a hearing process. Rates set by the PUC allow for a profit margin to pay a "rate of return" to the utilities' investors.

Private utilities are operated by professional management and staff. In Oregon, they generate much of their own power and sell most of their surplus to California. Private utility customers pay more for their electricity than do customers of People's Utility Districts. Customers pay for system improvements and investors generally receive the financial benefits. Recently, private utilities have used those profits to fund new subsidiaries, not regulated by the PUC. Many of these subsidiaries are not related to the utility business.

Both public and private utilities have the right to condemn property.