Clallam County PUD’s 2026 budget reflects a year of careful planning, community engagement, and strategic investment in the reliability and resiliency of our utility services. The full Budget Book is available on our website for those interested in a deeper dive.
Budget and Rate Approval Timeline
This year’s budget process included multiple opportunities for public input and transparency. The Electric Cost of Service Analysis (COSA) was presented at Board meetings on September 2nd, 16th, and 22nd, providing a detailed look at how costs are allocated among customer classes to ensure rate fairness. Budget presentations followed on October 13th, October 27th, and November 10th. Electric rates were approved at the September 22nd meeting for a two-year schedule, while water and wastewater rates were previously approved in 2023 as part of a multi-year schedule. The full 2026 budget received final approval on November 10th.
Key Highlights at a Glance
• Electric Rates: A 3.75% increase approved for both April 1, 2026 and April 1, 2027, primarily driven by inflation, rising purchased power costs from Bonneville Power Administration, and investments in infrastructure.
• Water & Wastewater Rates: Water rates will increase by 4.75% and wastewater rates by 9.0% in 2026, continuing the previously adopted multi-year schedule to support system upgrades and service reliability.
• Grant Funding: The District expects to receive $5.6 million in Electric Grid Resilience grant funding in 2026, supporting system upgrades and reliability.
• Major Investments: The budget includes significant capital projects, such as a new Port Angeles Operations Center to replace the aging facility, improve emergency response, and support future innovation—including local power generation opportunities.
Looking Forward: Building for the Future, Together
As highlighted in the recent opinion piece by General Manager Sean Worthington, the new Port Angeles Operations Center is a cornerstone of Clallam PUD’s commitment to reliability and resiliency. The current facility, built in the 1960s, no longer meets the needs of a modern utility. The new center will provide our crews with a safe, efficient space to respond quickly to outages and emergencies, and improve daily operations.
This investment is about more than infrastructure—it’s about preparing for future challenges, supporting local economic development, and exploring opportunities for local power generation. By strengthening our facilities, Clallam PUD can better serve the community, foster innovation, and keep energy dollars circulating locally.
Throughout these improvements, Clallam PUD remains dedicated to careful stewardship of ratepayer dollars and maintaining some of the lowest electric rates in the nation. We appreciate your ongoing trust and support as we work together to build a stronger, more resilient utility for Clallam County.