Dec 29, 2022
Mason PUD 3 Offices to Open Later in the Morning on Thursday, January 5
Employees will be attending a training the morning of January 5 - phone lines will... Read more
For reliability and efficiency, we have updated our official phone number for ALL customers to 360-426-8255. The PUD’s Belfair customer service number (360-275-2833) will no longer be operational as of February 1, 2023. Please update your contact information accordingly. You can still pay your bill using the buttons on your phone at 1-844-255-3683, or use SmartHub at my.pud3.org.
History of Mason PUD 3
History of Mason PUD 3
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. This is our story.
The Power Behind Our Community - Mason PUD 3's First 80 Years
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 eight 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. By then there were just over 2,200 PUD 3 customers.
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 34,000 customers in 600 square miles.
The Power Behind Our Community
In 2019, we released a history book that tells the story about PUD 3’s formation, growth, challenges, and successes since operations began in 1939. You can download it above 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.
Dec 21, 2022
Commission Appoints Jeff McHargue to Fill Vacancy Left by Commissioner...
McHargue will fill the remainder of retiring commissioner Bruce Jorgenson's term. Read more