Issue #246, July 2025

See Us at the Fair!

Visit our booth at the 2025 Columbia County Fair and Rodeo!

We will be talking about how to save you money on your electric bill and providing information about our collection of rebate programs. We'll have giveaway items and fun activities for the kids, too.

We hope to see you there July 16-19.

Kids' Coloring Contest Starts Now

Our annual Coloring Contest is underway for children ages 5-12 who live in our service territory.

To enter, have your child color this picture. Then, complete the information on the back and return it to the PUD by August 31.

Enter Raffle to Win Handmade Quilt

You can help provide bill payment assistance to your neighbors by entering to win this beautiful handmade quilt. The quilt was made and donated by The Columbia River Piecemakers Quilting Guild.

Raffle tickets for the quilt are $1 each or six for $5. They can be purchased in our office or at the Columbia County Fair and Rodeo. The winning ticket will be drawn at our Customer Appreciation Dinner in October. You do not need to be present to win.

All proceeds from the raffle will go to our GLOW Fund.

Cool Down with a Heat Pump

Heat pumps can help keep your home comfortable all year long. They work like air conditioners in the summertime to provide cooling for your home. In the winter, they heat your home more efficiently than a standard electric furnace.

We have rebates available for ductless heat pumps and central system heat pumps.

Control Your Account Options Through Your Phone

There are several ways you can streamline your PUD account management through your phone. If you would like, you can sign up for text message or email notifications, auto pay, and paperless billing through our SmartHub app.

Enroll by using SmartHub, or call our Customer Accounts Department at (503) 397-1844.

Please Drive Safely in Work Zones

When you see our crews working along the roadway, please slow down or move over a lane.

Typically, traffic signs, flaggers, and cones will alert you that we have a crew ahead. If you see any of these indicators, please slow down or move over a lane if that is a safe option.

Thank you for helping keep our linemen, tree trimmers, and flaggers safe.

Water Use Can Affect Your Electric Bill

Water heating is typically one of the largest energy expenses in the home. Here are some ways you can change your water usage habits to help lower your power bill:

• Take more showers than baths.
• Use cold water to do your laundry.
• Run full loads instead of partial loads in the dishwasher or clothes washer.
• Turn off the water when you're brushing your teeth, shaving, or scrubbing dishes.

Enter Our Calendar Photo Contest

Send us your pictures for this year's Calendar Photo Contest. The deadline to enter is August 31.

Photos should be horizontal and depict the scenic beauty of Columbia County. Vertical photos will not be accepted.

You can upload your photos online or email them to us.

Help Protect Your Home from Wildfire

Here are a few tips to help keep your home and family safer from the threat of wildfire:

• Create a 30-foot non-combustible buffer around your home.
• Stack firewood away from your home.
• Clean gutters before fire season and keep them free of debris.
• Trim branches along your driveway and around your home.