PORT TOWNSEND — The City Council took the first step toward establishing a public utility district on Monday with a unanimous decision to investigate the steps required to conduct a feasibility study on the topic.
The Port Townsend City Council decision evolved out of a public hearing on recommendations from the Alternative Electric Management Committee, which looked into the possibility of forming a district.
Port Townsend’s franchise with Puget Sound Energy, the city’s current electricity provider, will end Dec. 31, 2010. In 2007, the council directed staff to form a citizens’ committee to explore issues relating to alternate energy management.
The specific goal of the committee was to provide a recommendation on whether the city should take steps to form an electric utility.
The committee returned on Monday to recommend that the city do just that.
The decision by the council sets in motion the investigation of costs and logistics of a feasibility study being conducted in partnership with the Jefferson Public Utility District, which provides water and sewer service, the Port of Port Townsend and Jefferson County.
A Jefferson PUD meeting is set for 5 p.m. Wednesday in Port Hadlock at 230 Chimacum Road to discuss the topic.
