PUD 3 surcharge helps low-income customers

Since Mason PUD 3 added the Low-Income Assistance Surcharge line item on electric bills in January 2023, the surcharge has collected $1.7 million, supporting 3,505 households.

In a news release from the agency, PUD 3 states the money has supported programs that its Project Share program alone could not fund.

PUD 3 began discussing the surcharge at public meetings in 2022.

One of the goals was to comply with the Washington State Clean Energy Transformation Act legislation, which requires utilities to provide energy assistance to low-income households, particularly those with a high energy burde...