Rep. Peter Abbarno visits new Lewis County PUD substation, discusses growing power needs for South Lewis County

Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, visited Lewis County PUD’s newest power substation near Winlock to review progress on the state-funded project and meet with utility leaders about long-term power infrastructure needs in the region. The tour was part of a special Lewis County PUD commission meeting.

The substation – expected to be operational in January – is designed to significantly improve power capacity and reliability for the Winlock, Vader, and Toledo areas.

“This project is a big step forward for South Lewis County,” said Abbarno, House Republican Caucus Chair. “It also highlights a broader challenge: our state needs stronger transmission infrastructure. Energy production is important, but if we can’t move power where it’s needed, communities will feel the strain. Transmission is becoming one of the biggest issues we face.”

The new facility is the largest substation the Lewis County PUD has ever built, with a 25-megawatt transformer and infrastructure designed to expand as demand grows.

Abbarno began advocating for increased power capacity several years ago, anticipating the rapid residential, commercial, and industrial growth in the Winlock area. He helped secure funding for the project in the state’s capital budget even before the PUD formally sought support.

“This project is about energy resiliency, security, and economic development,” Abbarno added. “Getting state dollars meant ratepayers wouldn’t be left footing the bill for the growth coming into the region.”

Learn more in The Chronicle’s full article here.

Photo: Courtesy of The Chronicle

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov