The City formed a municipal electric utility in July of 1893 making it the fourth oldest electric utility on the west coast.
The utility serves over 10,500 customers over 9 miles of transmission, 103 miles of overhead distribution and over 40 miles of underground distribution with 7 substations within its 16 square mile service territory.
The utility purchases its power from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and operates the Morse Creek hydro facility.
BPA has a substation in Port Angeles and all power to the City is delivered over BPA's transmission system and through their substation.
Capacity on the transmission system and substation is 300 MW so the City can accommodate the future power needs of almost any type of customer.
Electric Utilities' Fuel Mix
The graphic below illustrates the Electric Utilities' Fuel Mix for 2009. The electric energy the City provides comes from the following resources:
New ! Electrical Permits Webpage A new webpage is available to answer your questions about the Electrical Permit process. Here, you can find out how to apply for a permit and information about the electrical permitting process.
This new page is designed to keep you informed about code changes, City policies and other information that you might need to be aware of. It is our goal to create relationships based on mutual respect, code compliance, and safety for you and the public........
Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) Mandatory Standards Determination
December 2009 - The City of Port Angeles was required by the Energy Independence Security Act of 2007 to make determinations on four new Electric Utility standards embodied in the Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA). The new standards that must be considered included: 1) an investment in a qualified “Smart Grid” system, 2) providing Smart Grid information to electric customers, 3) should the City conduct integrated resource planning, and 4) rate design modifications that promote energy efficiency. Although PURPA mandates the City must consider the standards, it allows the City Council to make a determination if it is appropriate to implement or decline each standard.
The City Council of the City of Port Angeles Washington being the governing body of the said consumer-owned electric utility did, after public notice, hold public hearings on the 17th of November 2009 and the 15th of December 2009 to consider and discuss the adoption of Findings and Conclusions relating to the PURPA. Following a presentation by staff, City Council opened a public hearing to receive written comments and testimony from the public. No public comments were received.
Council's findings included that the City currently integrates energy efficiency resources into its plans, and has adopted policies establishing cost-effective energy efficiency as a priority. Further, the City is planning to double its energy conservation program during the 2010-2014 time period and may consider modifications to retail rates to further promote energy efficiency in the future. Additionally, the City is planning to implement an Advanced Metering Infrastructure project for its electric utility that is the necessary technology to enable future Smart Grid services to its customers when they become available.
Below is the resolution and complete findings of fact passed by the City Council of the City of Port Angeles at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 15th day of December 2009.
City Council Resolution Note: You must have Adobe Acrobat reader installed to view this file.
Electric Utility Resource Plan
The City's Electric Utility is required by the State of Washington (RCW 19.280.030) to develop a Electric Utility Resource Plan (Plan) that must be submitted to the Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) by September 1, 2008.
The reason for this is to assure that future resources are adequate to meet projected loads especially as the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) changes the way it charges the City for energy.
This Plan includes that the City will continue to purchase power from the BPA and that it will also seize the opportunity to increase the level of energy efficiency and deploy new renewable energy technologies that will further develop and diversify our resource portfolio.
The City's energy future is essential to our community's economic health. The City has long benefited from having access to low-cost electricity from the federal power system. However, as the world and the energy industry change, the City faces a potentially serious threat to its economy in the form of rising electricity costs.
Electric Utility 2008 Resource Plan
Note: You must have Adobe Acrobat reader installed to view this file.
For more information, please contact Phil Lusk, Power Resources Manager at either 360-417-4703 or plusk@cityofpa.us.
CITY DENIED GRANT FOR SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT A grant that would have provided the City with partial funding for a renewable energy project has been denied by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).
The City had applied for the BPA grant to fund 50% of the estimated total cost of $400,000 for the solar energy project. The balance of the cost would have required funding through voluntary contributions of City electric customers.
Renewable energy mandates in Oregon and Washington have increased the interest in these grants by electric utilities. This year alone electric utilities made requests of over $15 million for the $6 million available in the BPA's renewable energy budget. The City is exempt from renewable energy mandates because it has less than 25,000 customers.
The project will not be able to move forward without the funding from the BPA grant. The City had received 21 expressions of interest from customers which may have provided a contributions of approximately $36,700, or about 18% of the $200,000 community portion of the project.
The City can consider applying for the grant again next year should there be enough interest from the community.
SMART METERING & TIME-OF-USE RATE By shifting your energy use from heavy load hours, called KWHH, (Monday through Saturday from 6am to 10pm) to light load hours, called KWHL, (Monday through Saturday from 10pm to 6am and all day Sunday) you can reduce your energy costs.
Smart Metering
A typical meter records energy use and keeps track of total energy use, but does not record which day or what time of day the energy was consumed.
A smart meter is required in order to participate .....
WINDSTORM PHOTOS View a sampling of the damage caused by the 2006 major windstorm.
High winds hit the Port Angeles area resulting in several power poles going down and causing power outages throughout the City......
City Water and Light Crews Assist KPly, Inc. Read the letter from Donnie Edwards, K Ply Maintenance Supervisor on how City crews solved their water problem.
This is just an example of the City's dedication to serving the needs of the public and providing helpful service to our customers.
K Ply, Inc. Letter of October 24, 2005
Note: You must have Adobe Acrobat reader installed to view this file.
New! Now Available for City Residents You can now pay or check your utility usage on line! This new feature allows you to view billing history, payment activity, and service and consumption summaries as well as pay your bill. Save a monthly trip to city hall or the cost of postage. It's quick, easy and secure....give it a try!
A grant that would have provided the City with partial funding for a renewable energy project has been denied by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). 
New! Now Available for City Residents
