Humane society seeks van



Do you have a van you would consider donating to an extremely worthy cause? Perhaps you know of someone who would consider such a request?

I volunteer at the Humane Society of Skagit Valley and the shelter is in desperate need of a van that has side doors that open and an automatic transmission.

The Humane Society is the only animal shelter in Skagit County and serves a population of about 113,000. In 2007 alone, the shelter provided assistance to nearly 3,000 abandoned, abused and surrendered animals. The Humane Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization so your donation is tax deductible.

The van would be used several times each week to transport animals to be spayed and neutered — which will help stop the pet overpopulation problem. The van will also be used to bring animals to events to find loving, forever homes for them.

Please contact Sandy Nelson at the Humane Society of Skagit Valley at 360-757-0445. The Humane Society is open seven days a week to serve the community.

Thank you for caring about the animals!



Karen Roberts

Sedro-Woolley



When nothing else works, try bribery



Most Puget Sound Energy customers are not only aware of the attempted takeover of PSE by Macquarie Bank of Australia, they are familiar with Macquarie’s notoriety. They view Andrew Chapman’s recent offer (73 cents per ratepayer per month over 10 years) as ludicrous.

Equally laughable is Chapman’s claim that his “decentralized management model” will protect consumers. And his offer becomes even less palatable knowing that PSE management, which will be effectively sidelined after the sale, supports Macquarie’s “investment model” — a supersize Ponzi scheme which will clearly lead the utility deeper into debt without any assurance of adequate services or reasonable rates in the future. After the sale, Macquarie will have full control of PSE with 51.4 percent ownership of its stock.

For Macquarie’s Yale-educated asset manager to suddenly appear on the scene, the takeover plan apparently isn’t the cakewalk Chapman had imagined. How many more concessions will it take before his investment partners get cold feet? After all, those pension funds will be taking a big hit in coming years as Canadian “baby boomers” start drawing their due.

In the court of public opinion, Macquarie’s plan hasn’t earned much respect. More than 10,000 western Washington citizens have lodged complaints and staff members from our Attorney General’s office and Utilities and Transportation Commission agree the sale is not in the public interest and will harm ratepayers. Considering how hard Snohomish County PUD fell for Enron’s trickery a few years ago, rejecting the Macquarie takeover should be a no-brainer.

Local public control of the ailing utility is a prudent alternative to ownership by debt-ridden corporate pirates. It represents a solid, long-term investment in our energy infrastructure. Now it’s time for UTC commissioners to take a stand and reject foreign privatization of Puget Sound Energy.



Diane Freethy

Sedro-Woolley



PSE numbers add up to higher rates



Of the 39 counties in Washington State, 23 get power from public utility districts, nine have Puget Sound Energy customers for electricity, two or three by other private companies and the rest by municipal ownership. Those served by PSE pay the highest rates in the state.

Some entity of Macquarie Bank of Australia has just offered to kick in $100 million to help offset the higher rates requested. However, after all the miscellaneous fees are accounted for, only $88 million will be left for customers. Since the $88 million is to be allocated over 10 years, and there are approximately one million electricity customers, each customer will get a rate cut of only 73 cents per month during the first year. In the ensuing years, inflation and increases in customers could easily cut this subsidy in half.

PSE is requesting a $2.98 monthly increase in the base electric power rate ($6.02 now) from the Utility and Transportation Commission. Also, they are requesting a kilowatt-hour increase from 8.53 cents to 9.29 cents. Based on 1,000 kWh per month, a bill will increase from $91.27 to $101.91 (PSE’s numbers). Subtract $0.73 from $101.91 and your bill will still increase by around $10.

There are more numbers to consider. If the buy-out is approved by the UTC, 51 percent of PSE will be owned by Macquarie with the remaining 49 percent by Canadian pension funds. The board will include three current PSE board-members (five-year terms). In anyone’s math, that’s a foreign majority that may enlarge after five years.

What happens if there are problems? As one PSE executive said in a public meeting when asked about deterioration of service, “Well, you can always sue!”

The PSE/Macquarie numbers do add up — to the ratepayers paying more! Let’s take a close look at a public utility district and keep our money at home.



Steve Johnson

Rockport