Purser seeks 3rd PUD term

Published 3:00 pm Wednesday, March 19, 2014

He has served nearly a decade as a commissioner for the Public Utility District, but Will Purser isn’t finished yet.

Purser announced Monday he’ll seek a third term on the board, which directs Clallam County’s public utility provider. His District 1 seat includes Sequim and eastern Clallam County.

Purser said the PUD has an operating budget of $50 million, making it a major business on the Olympic Peninsula. With a background in engineering and energy corporation management, Purser said he brings experience in handling large budgets and projects.

Purser said he thinks the commission overall is qualified and has done a good job keeping energy rates down. But with government mandates on renewable resources and an over-subscribed federal hydro system, their work is cut out for them, he said.

"Right now we’re trying to meet the requirements of renewable resources and we’re finding the renewable resources are very expensive," he said of the board’s greatest challenge. "That has resulted in very high-priced energy. We’ve got to find a way to mitigate the costs and still meet those requirements."

Purser said he and his late wife moved to Sequim to make it their final home and he genuinely enjoys serving the community.

Looking to the possibility of a third term, Purser said he will continue trying to keep rates low and positioning PUD for modernization.

Amanda Winters can be reached at awinters@sequimgazette.com.