Thursday, October 1, 2026
WENATCHEE — Chelan County Public Utility District leaders said the 2026 state legislative session delivered key protections for local ratepayers, while leaving open questions about how future state policies could affect utility customers.
During an April 6 commission meeting, Government Affairs Program Manager Kelli Scott said the session ended March 12 after 60 days, with major discussions centered on energy demand, affordability and wildfire policy.
Scott said Chelan PUD entered the session focused on maintaining local control and protecting customers from policies that could shift costs onto utility bills.
“Under all of this, the foundation that we’re really working toward is to protect local governance,” Scott said.
One of the most closely watched outcomes was House Bill 1903, which creates a statewide energy assistance program.
Scott said the bill ultimately passed in a form that aligned with Chelan PUD’s priorities, including protections against requiring utilities to fund the program if state appropriations fall short.
“If the state doesn’t have the money to appropriate to this assistance program, you cannot come to utilities to backfill that,” Scott said.
She added that Chelan PUD had emphasized its position as a utility with relatively low rates and an existing track record of supporting customers locally.
“We had to do quite a bit of reminding legislators why it would be detrimental if they put a charge on customer bills to fund a new program,” Scott said.
A separate proposal, House Bill 2373, which would have funded assistance programs directly through utilities, did not pass.
Despite those safeguards, commissioners said they remain focused on how future legislative changes could affect utility funding and governance.
Commissioner Carnan Bergren said the district should continue watching for potential efforts to shift costs onto utilities in future sessions, even when current legislation includes protections.
“What we really want is an opt out clause,” Bergren said. “Because that guarantees us down the road that we’re not going to get a tax for something … you take from us to give to somebody else.”
Bergren added that he views the risk as part of a broader trend in state policy toward utilities.
“We need to do everything we can to resist somebody reaching into the cookie jar and pulling out the big cookies,” he said.
Scott said current law includes strong safeguards, but acknowledged that future legislatures could revisit the issue.
“The legislature could change that,” she said.
Scott also highlighted progress on wildfire-related policy, another major priority for the district.
She said the state restored funding that had previously been reduced, following advocacy from utilities and other stakeholders.
“We have seen really positive outcomes here locally with partner groups doing forest health work,” Scott said.
However, she said broader issues, including liability and long-term cost exposure, remain unresolved and will continue to be part of discussions moving forward.
Looking ahead, Scott said the district expects continued debate around energy demand and infrastructure, particularly as it relates to data centers and transmission capacity.
Several proposals related to data center regulation and utility rate structures did not pass during the session, but Scott said those conversations are ongoing.
“We know it’s coming back,” she said.
Scott said Chelan PUD will continue working with lawmakers, agencies and regional partners in the months ahead, including participating in interim work groups on wildfire policy and energy planning.
Commissioners emphasized the importance of maintaining that presence while continuing to advocate for local control.
Scott said that approach — combining local priorities with coordinated advocacy — will continue to guide the district’s legislative strategy.
Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media
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