Washington Public Utility Districts' Association

Washington organization working for publicly-owned electric power.

The Washington Public Utility Association grew out of the existing Washington Public Utility Commissioner's Association (founded 1936), whose role it had been to aid in the activation of local Public Utility Districts (PUDs). In 1951, at the time of it's re-naming, the purpose of the association was redefined to address operating problems ecountered by the PUDs. It also served to facilitate communication and unity in the face of anti-public-power attacks encountered in legislative forums. Ken Billington served as Executive Director of WAPUDA from 1951-78, and was deeply involved in such public power issues as the Public Utility District dams on the Columbia River, the transformation of the Hanford plant to generate electricity, and the organization of the Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS). He remained with the Association for an additional three years as a legislative consultant, and also worked with the Public Power Council during congressional action on the Northwest Power Planning Act.