Erik Wahlquist

Chelan County Public Utility District was formed in 1936 by local voters who wanted affordable power for rural as well as urban residents. The PUD delivered its first electricity 11 years later to a small group of customers near Lake Chelan. Today, the PUD operates three hydro projects that deliver clean, renewable, low-cost energy to local residents and to other utilities that serve 7 million residents of the Pacific Northwest. The District is directed by a five-member board of commissioners elected by the voters of Chelan County. These commissioners oversee a utility system that now includes local water, wastewater and wholesale fiber-optic services in addition to electricity. Chelan County PUD relies on the mighty Columbia River for much of its hydropower generation. They recognize this great river as a multi-use system and they are proud to take a leadership role in environmental stewardship. Each year the District dedicates millions of dollars and thousands of work hours to protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plant ecosystems. As part of the hydropower operations, the PUD also built 14 parks that serve more than 3 million visitors each year.