Cowlitz PUD serves electricity to 48,500 residential, industrial and street lighting customers.

Average Electric Usage and Cost Statistics
The table below offers a breakdown of each PUD customer group, and compares the amount of electricity used by each type and the average cost each pays for electricity (for 2010).

Conservation/Energy Efficiency
Cowlitz PUD invested $13.35 million in a variety of residential, commercial and industrial energy conservation programs in 2010. The PUD utilized Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) conservation program funding.

During 2010, 750 PUD residential customers received a Senior or Disabled Discount Rate for qualified, low-income customers age 65 and over. We also joined with the Lower Columbia Community Action Council (CAP) again to offer the Warm Neighbor program, which is funded by the voluntary donations of PUD customers. About $35,000 was raised, which CAP distributed to qualified, low-income residential electric users in the county.

Tax Recap
The PUD's total tax bill for 2010 was about $9,308,643 million, which was collected from customers via utility bills and paid to the appropriated state or local government. This represents about 6% of Cowlitz PUD's total 2010 expenditure.

Fuel Mix
Cowlitz PUD buys over 90 percent of its wholesale power from Bonneville Power Administration. The majority of the BPA power comes from the Columbia River system hydroelectric projects. BPA also sells the output of the Columbia Generating System (nuclear plant) near Richland, WA, and makes miscellaneous energy purchases on the open market, which may include resources other than hydro.

The rest of the PUD's power comes from its own Swift No. 2 Hydroelectric Project on the Lewis River (near Cougar, WA).

According to data provided by the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, here's the most recent breakdown of Cowlitz PUD's fuel sources:

If you have any questions about Cowlitz PUD, please feel free to email us at: admin@cowlitzpud.org