What Does Mason PUD 3 Do?
Mason PUD 3 serves over 34,000 electric customers. PUD 3 also runs a wholesale fiber optic telecommunications network, which supports the operation of its electricity system.
PUD 3 has a board of elected commissioners to be the policy-makers for the utility. They also set rates and charges for service.
In Washington State, 24 Public Utility Districts (PUDs) are the source of electricity for almost 700,000 customers. Learn more on the Washington Public Utility Districts Association website.
PUD 3 Fast Facts
Quick statistics about Mason County PUD 3 (as of December 31, 2022)
Electric System
35985
Number of Customers
170
Number of Employees
695378744 kWh
2022 Electricity sales
14059 kWh
Average annual use, residential in kWh
Number of substations
12
709
Overhead primary line miles
2024 Budget
$105419932
179666 kW
Maximum system peak demand
82172 kWh
Average load in kW
1127
Underground primary line miles
Telecom System
3079
Fiber optic installed gateways
737
Fiber optic primary line miles
As of March 1, 2024
$0.0865
Average kWh cost for residential use
$1.60
Residential daily system charge
Mission / Vision / Values
Mission Statement
Connecting our community with safe, reliable, economical, and sustainable services, 24/7.
Vision Statement
Mason PUD 3 is a unique community asset recognized for its service, innovation, and stewardship. We are an essential-services organization, powered by our employees, trusted by our customers, valued by our community, and focused on the environment, enhancing the economy, and developing solutions for a better tomorrow.
PUD 3 Core Values
Safety
We ensure the safety of our employees, communities, customers, contractors, and partners by taking a proactive approach to identifying remedying and preventing safety issues.
Reliability
Our employees use their energy, skills, and resources to deliver the best results by being reliable, accountable, and efficient. We are a “Reliable Public Power Provider”.
Customer Focus
We foster loyalty and earn trust through every customer experience. This is accomplished by listening to and understanding customer needs, respectful interactions, timely responses, and anticipating the customer of the future. It’s easy to do business with us!
Employee Connection
Our employees are engaged in meaningful work that has a positive impact on our community now and in the future. We are committed to the well-being of our employees by maintaining a culture of trust, respect, excellence, and recognition.
Community Engagement
Our customers are well informed. Through professional and personal relationships, we stay engaged with the needs of the community, and invest in the education of our current and future customers.
Solutions-Oriented
We are proactive in finding the best ways to address customer and community needs. Employees are empowered to be innovative, creative, and forward-thinking when finding solutions that “future-proof” our organization in the continually changing utility industry.
Sustainability
We recognize the interdependence of our operations, the environment, economy, and individuals. We do business in ways that ensure the financial and operational health of PUD 3 so that it meets the community’s needs in perpetuity.
History of Mason PUD 3
Founding
In 1929, the Washington State Grange sent the very first initiative to the Legislature, to allow rural communities to form their own publicly owned utilities.
In the 1930 election, the measure passed in a landslide.
Mason PUD 3 supporters jumped on board in 1934 calling for a countywide PUD. Mason PUD 1 backers had been working on their own district since 1932.
On November 6, 1934, local voters approved the formation of both districts.
Growing to Serve
By 1939, PUD 3 had its first 8 customers. In 1940, the PUD was serving 318 rural customers.
In 1941, the PUD purchased the local property of West Coast Power Company, which included the Shelton and Kamilche Valley areas. This brought the total count of PUD 3 customers to just over 2,200.
In 1948 the PUD bought out Puget Sound Power and Light properties in the northeastern part of Mason County, adding 1,031 new customers.
As of today, PUD 3 serves nearly 36,000 customers in 600 square miles.
The Power Behind Our Community Book
In 2019, we released a history book that tells the story of PUD 3’s formation, growth, challenges, and successes since operations began in 1939. Download it to enjoy the many stories of bringing power to the people!
In case you’re curious…
Where Does Our Power Come From?
To start out, Mason PUD 3 was powered by Tacoma City Light’s Cushman Hydro Project. In 1948, PUD 3 signed up with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). PUD customers now get virtually all their electricity from BPA.
What about Mason PUD 2?
There was an effort to create a public utility district (PUD 2) in the Agate area of Mason County (just east of Shelton). Supporters of PUD 2 decided to drop their plans and join the countywide movement to form PUD 3.