To the editor:

Steve Johnson is a member of the Bainbridge Island Utility Committee and the architect of Island Power.

In 2008, Steve was executive director of the Association of Washington Public Utilities Districts. Jefferson County was one of three counties voting to take over power distribution replacing Puget Sound Energy.

To help influence the election, Steve commissioned a report at a cost of $43,000 which assured the voters that the PUD to be formed could service the debt, provide the service and beat PSE’s rates by

10 percent. Steve also directed campaign contributions to politicians friendly to the PUD cause. Steve’s political involvement was not disclosed, and he got into trouble with the Washington Public Disclosure Commission.

Steve now wants you to pay for a similar study, but the cost is $100,000. It will say that the city or a PUD can service the debt, provide the service and beat PSE’s rates by 10 percent.

What happened in Jefferson County? The PUD has been told to raise its rates by at least 10 percent to 13 percent. The public hasn’t been told that the contract to buy power from Bonneville will automatically go up 6 percent every two years.

Puget Sound Energy is supervised by the Washington State Utility and Transportation Commission. The city and the PUD are self-supervised.

Who do you trust with your wallet?

DICK KRUTCH

Bainbridge Island