Mason PUD 3 commissioners approved the 2026 budget of $117.3 million at their Nov. 25 meeting, including rate increases for some customer classes, effective March 1. The budget also moves about $511,000 from reserves to reduce the rate impact.
- Residential: Energy rates increase by 3%, with an additional $0.10 to the system charge.
- Small Commercial: Energy rates increase by 3%, with an additional $0.10 to the system charge.
- Large Commercial: Energy rates increase by 3%, with an additional $0.10 to the system charge.
- Industrial: Energy rates increase by 6%, with an additional $0.57 to the system charge.
The largest factor for the increased budget is the overall 5.89% increase in purchased power costs. PUD 3 purchases its power from Bonneville Power Administration, which announced rate increases earlier this year.
Other drivers for needed revenue increases include needed system upgrades, such as underground system work, additional priority pole replacements, and more. The general inflated costs of goods and services is also reflected in the increased budget.
PUD 3 continues to pursue grant funding to offset the costs of critical and costly upgrades. Some grants also require matching funds from the district, which can also increase the budget.
The Low-Income Energy Assistance Surcharge is estimated to be about $4.97 per month (about 34 cents more on average per month) to raise about $2.1 million to assist Mason County low-income families. The surcharge pays for compliance with the Washington State Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) legislation requiring utilities to provide energy assistance to low-income households. Low-income households and other qualifying customers are exempt from the surcharge. These funds assisted more than 3,500 Mason County households last year.
In other business, the commissioners held a public hearing regarding the CETA-required Clean Energy Implementation Plan draft, which is a four-year roadmap for the utility to comply with the state’s clean energy mandates. It also identifies strategies for outreach or assistance to vulnerable populations in Mason County. The plan is available on the PUD 3 Clean Energy webpage. Commissioners will consider approval at their Dec. 9 meeting.