Cheap power and PSE can’t be said in the same sentence. Much of the power we get must be purchased from BPA; there are several rates that apply to selling electric energy. PSE pays 10 percent more that any public power utility. PSE also pays their executives much more than a PUD will.

There are 50 some PUDs in this state, every one has lower rates than we on Whidbey Island pay. In fact, Camano Island is in on the PUD concept and pays lower rates than Oak Harbor and the rest of Whidbey does.

PSE does not have any paid employees, they contract all labor. Plus the company is now trying to sell itself to an Australian conglomerate and if that goes through the current CEO gets a severance package of over $20 million. I wonder where that money came from?

I think that it is time the ratepayers of Whidbey Island woke up and voted yes on the issue of creating a public power utility that will hire local employees, be run by local supervisors and do it cheaper than PSE.

PSE says the utility poles and equipment on Whidbey Island is worth way more than they are taxed for it, so watch the numbers and do not allow the sale to exceed the tax assessment.

Thomas Downey

Oak Harbor