Customer Service: 425-783-1000Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM

1-877-783-1000 outside Everett and in Western WA

FEBRUARY 2021 | SNOPUD.COM

Getting Charged Up By Electric TransportationTwo EV Fast Chargers Coming to the PUDThe PUD is installing two DC electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers adjacent to public parking spaces at its downtown Everett headquarters. Once installed, the DC fast chargers will be able to deliver an 80% charge, or 60 to 100 miles of range, for most EV models in approximately 20 to 30 minutes and will be available to the public for a fee. Once installed, the two chargers will be the first of their kind in down-town Everett. The installation of the DC fast chargers is part of the PUD’s Electric Transportation Plan, which aims to optimize the PUD’s electric grid to enable customer adoption of electric transportation. The PUD’s Electric Building headquarters is adjacent to Interstate 5 and State Route 2, making it a convenient location for travelers heading along these high-use corridors. The building is within walking distance to many downtown businesses, making it a good location for EV owners who need a charge. When PUD offices reopen, the headquarters will provide restrooms and meeting spaces. This project is made possible with an award of $154,132 in VW Settlement funds through the Washington Department of Ecology.

IMPORTANT NOTICETo help keep our customers and employees safe, all PUD offices remain closed to the public.

Information regarding our response to COVID-19 is available at snopud.com/covid

For questions about your bill, including flexible payment options, please call Customer Service at 425-783-1000 (Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5:30 PM, excluding holidays).

The first EV to be charged at the PUD’s microgrid facility under construction in Arlington.

PUD Awarded Almost $1 Million in Grants from Commerce DepartmentThe PUD has been conditionally awarded almost $1 million in Clean Energy Fund grants from the Washington State Department of Commerce to help fund electric bus and vehicle projects in Everett. The PUD will partner with Everett Transit to use $728,780 to construct an innovative Resonant Magnet Induction charging system for electric buses at Eclipse Mill Park near downtown Everett. The charging system will make it possible for buses to charge on the route, has the potential to reduce harmful emissions and provide savings to transit agencies. The PUD is also partnering with HopeWorks to utilize $135,582 to install two new EV chargers

(including one fast charger) to supplement an exist-ing charging station at HopeWorks Station, which serves customers of its three social enterprises, resi-dents coming out of homelessness, and the greater community.

PUD Offers EV Charger RewardElectric vehicles charged in the PUD’s service area run on some of the cleanest power in the nation because the PUD is a national leader in carbon-free energy. PUD customers who charge at home can get help in purchasing an eligible EV charger. The PUD is offering a $500 instant reward on select L2 connected chargers, helping customers save money and quickly charge their EVs at the same time. Restrictions apply. Visit snopud.com/evrewards.

Pay Your Bill: 1-888-909-4628Online: SNOPUD.COM/MYSNOPUD

THE WIRE • FEBRUARY 2021 SNOHOMISH COUNTY PUD SNOPUD.COM

View/Report Outages at SNOPUD.COM/OUTAGES or Report at 425-783-1001

Home Sweet HomeMake your home comfy year-round

Tips for Operating Your Generator SafetyUnfortunately, winter weather can bring power outages, which means that you may consider using your portable generator. Remember: if not used properly, a portable generator can pose a severe hazard to PUD line workers, your family and your neighbors. So, before you fire up the portable generator this year, please review these important safety tips:1. Do not plug the portable generator into your home’s electrical system, unless you use a

transfer switch. The generator can back-feed electricity into the PUD system and create a potentially fatal situation for PUD line crews working to restore power. The safest way to prevent this is to use a transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician. We also advise that you run extension cords from your generator to power up lights, appliances, etc., instead of plugging your generator into your home’s electric system.

2. Do not place a generator inside your home or garage when you are running it. High con-centrations of carbon monoxide that result from running a generator inside can kill a person in minutes.

3. Make sure extension cords are adequately sized to handle the electricity. 4. Never refuel the generator when the engine is hot. Let it cool for at least 10 minutes to mini-

mize the danger of fire.

More information on choosing the right generator for your home and a video about portable generator safety can be found at snopud.com/generators.

Winter Storm Preparedness & Safety

A heat pump can provide affordable heating in the winter and cooling in the summer – in one efficient unit. The PUD offers rebates up to $2500 for eligible heat pump installations in electrically heated homes, installed by

PUD Registered Trade Allies.

Start saving on winter heating costs now!snopud.com/heating

Were you prepared for the bad winter storm in January? Major storms cause unplanned outages for all utilities. The January storm left over 500,000 people in our region without power. Damage was so extensive that it took several days to restore power with crews working 24/7. Here are three basic tips to help your family be prepared for and stay safe during the next big winter storm.

It’s easy to assemble an emergency preparedness kit to support you and your family during an extended outage. Visit snopud.com/

winterprep for a list of recommended items.

Emergency Kit

Stay at least 30 feet away from any fallen power lines, including lines that are sagging or broken.

Assume all power lines are live and can be a killer if touched. Call the PUD to report a fallen line at 425-783-1001 or call “911” if life-threatening.

Fallen Lines

OFFTurn off items with a heat-ing element that were on

when the outage hit (like an electric range, iron or toaster oven) to prevent a fire when

the power is restored. Electric hot water heaters can stay on.

Turn It OFF

Bookmark our online Outage Map! Not only can you quickly report an outage, you will also find outage information for our service territory, including an outage tracker

that shows progress during repairs. It’s available 24/7 at snopud.com/outages.