Candidate Pushes for Public Utility Power in Washington

Jamie Keenan-DeVargas campaigns to shift Puget Sound Energy customers to community-owned utility districts.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Utilities

Candidate Pushes for Public Utility Power in Washington

Live Poll

Should local communities transition from private energy providers to public utility districts?

Legislative candidate Jamie Keenan-DeVargas is proposing a transition from Puget Sound Energy to public utility districts across Washington. The 24-year-old candidate argues that moving to community-owned models would allow better access to hydroelectric power.

Why it matters

The proposal aims to address concerns that Puget Sound Energy prioritizes corporate profit over infrastructure reliability. By switching to public models, the campaign suggests that service and costs could be better aligned with the needs of local residents.

Puget Sound Energy currently operates in 11 Washington counties and provides funding to 128 state legislators. Average customer costs are projected to rise by $612 annually by 2029, alongside a scheduled 30% rate increase next year.

The players

Jamie Keenan-DeVargas

Jamie Keenan-DeVargas is a 24-year-old candidate running for a seat in the 22nd Legislative District of Washington.

Puget Sound Energy

Puget Sound Energy is a private utility company currently operating in 11 counties across the state of Washington.

The details

Keenan-DeVargas alleges that Puget Sound Energy delays necessary infrastructure upgrades to protect profit margins, noting the firm is owned by foreign investment groups. Unlike existing private models, public utility districts are owned by the communities they serve and can leverage dam-based hydroelectric power.

2025 marks the next profit reporting period for Puget Sound Energy.
2026 brings a scheduled 30% rate increase for the company's customers.
2029 is the year by which average customer costs are expected to rise by $612.

Market Landscape

The proposal mirrors the transition model established by the Jefferson County switch to a public utility district. It directly challenges the dominance of foreign-owned utilities by advocating for community-controlled infrastructure.

Customers served by Puget Sound Energy face a 30% rate hike starting in 2026. Households should prepare for annual cost increases reaching $612 by 2029 under current ownership structures.

The takeaway

Voters face a choice between maintaining current private utility structures and pursuing public ownership to mitigate future rate hikes. Residents should review their energy bills to understand how upcoming rate increases will specifically impact their household budgets.