Strategic Plan
Message from the General Manager
At Cowlitz PUD, our greatest strength is our people. The dedication, skill, and teamwork of our employees are what make our success possible and guide everything we do.
This strategic plan outlines where we’re headed as an organization and reflects our shared commitment to excellent service, strong teamwork, and serving our community.
Safety is our top priority. It shapes how we work each day and how we look out for one another. We are guided by honesty and transparency, and we hold ourselves accountable to each other and to the people we serve.
Our work is about more than electricity; it helps support quality of life and local economic growth across Cowlitz County. We are also focused on resilience, ensuring we have the skills, tools, and flexibility needed to continue providing reliable, affordable service as the world changes. This plan is our roadmap for the future. Its success depends on trust, teamwork, and the actions we take every day. We are proud to serve this community and remain committed to building a strong organization for today and for future generations.
Take Care, Gary Huhta
Mission & Vision
Provide customers safe, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy. Connecting customers and energy to power Cowlitz County’s future.
Connecting customers and energy to power Cowlitz County’s future.
Through our Strategic Planning process, Cowlitz PUD prioritized the following initiatives for the coming years in accordance with our mission and vision:
We are working to make sure Cowlitz PUD has enough electricity to meet our community’s needs, today and in the future. We are focused on keeping power reliable, affordable, and increasingly clean. We are preparing for the future in the following ways.
Working with BPA
- Preparing for new power contracts and market opportunities
- Selecting flexible power options that align with our community’s needs
Expanding and Managing Our Power Supply
- Partnering with local energy producers
- Upgrading the Harvest Wind Project
- Exploring new technologies, including small modular nuclear energy
- Improving energy efficiency programs
- Participating in solar and community-based renewable projects
Planning for a Reliable Future
- Upgrading the Swift No. 2 hydroelectric project
- Continuing investments in wind energy
- Monitoring emerging technologies such as geothermal power
We are committed to providing safe, reliable, and secure electric service by maintaining our equipment, planning ahead, and reducing risks. We’re accomplishing this through maintenance, upgrades, and smart technology.
Keeping Our Systems Safe and Secure
- Strengthening cyber and physical security protections
- Preparing for evolving industry standards
- Improving security at substations and key facilities
Finding Problems Before They Cause Outages
- Expanding inspection programs for power lines and equipment
- Using early detection tools to identify potential issues
- Evaluating resources needed to support increased inspections
Investing in a Stronger System
- Securing funding for infrastructure upgrades
- Expanding system capacity to meet growth
- Using data to guide long-term replacement planning
- Exploring advanced technologies to improve reliability
- Upgrading our Operations Campus for future needs
We are focused on operating efficiently so we can provide high-quality service while keeping costs under control. Our focus is on using data, tools, and planning to improve service and make informed decisions.
Using Technology to Work Smarter
- Strengthening data systems and improving reporting
- Expanding the use of analytics across departments
- Promoting accurate data and responsible technology use
- Preparing systems for future tools and cloud services
Supporting Our Team with Modern Tools
- Training employees on new technologies
- Improving workflows and reducing inefficiencies
Keeping Rates Fair and Transparent
- Aligning rates with the cost of service
- Monitoring market and regulatory changes
- Using flexible tools to adapt to changing conditions
Planning for the Future
- Developing a 10-year financial forecast to guide decisions and maintain stability
Strong relationships with employees, customers, and community partners help us stay prepared for the future and better serve Cowlitz County. We support our workforce, connect with customers, and remain active in policy discussions that impact our community.
Supporting Our Employees
- Investing in training and workforce development
- Encouraging continuous learning and informed decision-making
- Providing competitive benefits and a supportive workplace
Helping Customers Make Informed Energy Decisions
- Serving as a trusted source for electricity information
- Promoting clean, local hydropower
- Improving understanding of rates and public power benefits
Using Technology to Better Serve Customers
- Developing tools with personalized energy insights
- Improving outreach through targeted, data-driven communication
Staying Engaged in Policy and Advocacy
- Participating in discussions that impact energy reliability and resources
- Advocating for practical clean energy policies and customer support programs
Our People
Employees are the foundation of our success and these guiding principals.
We believe excellence is achieved through teamwork, shared responsibility, and a commitment to continuous improvement. By fostering a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative workplace, we empower our employees to work safely, act with integrity, serve our community, operate transparently, and build resilient systems for the future. We invest in our people through training, accountability, and support, recognizing that skilled, engaged, and unified employees are essential to delivering reliable, affordable public power and upholding the trust placed in us by the community we serve.
Guiding Principles
Safety – Safety is our highest priority. We are committed to protecting the well‑being of our employees, customers, contractors, and the public by maintaining safe systems, promoting a culture of awareness and accountability, and rigorously adhering to safety standards and best practices in all operations.
Integrity – We conduct our work with honesty, fairness, and accountability. Integrity means doing the right thing at all times, upholding ethical standards, complying with laws and regulations, and earning the trust of the communities we serve through responsible stewardship of public resources.
Transparency – We operate openly and responsibly, ensuring our decisions, actions, and use of public funds are clear, accessible, and understandable. Transparency strengthens trust, supports informed community engagement, and reinforces our accountability as a public power provider.
Community – We exist to serve our community. We actively listen to customer and stakeholder needs, collaborate with local partners, and make decisions that reflect community values while supporting economic vitality, environmental responsibility, and long‑term quality of life throughout Cowlitz County.
Resiliency – We plan and operate with the future in mind. Resiliency means building and maintaining systems, workforce capability, and organizational practices that can withstand disruption, adapt to change, and continue delivering reliable, affordable service in the face of emerging challenges.
