Simple Ways to Pay Your Cowlitz County PUD Bill

For residents and businesses in Cowlitz County Washington the Cowlitz County Public Utility District (PUD) provides reliable electricity and quality customer service. As a consumer-owned utility, Cowlitz PUD aims to keep rates affordable for the community. In return, customers are responsible for paying their electric bill on time each month.

Thankfully, Cowlitz PUD offers various convenient payment options to fit every schedule and preference. From online bill pay to pay by phone to walk-up payment kiosks, you can choose the method that works best for you. Read on for a guide to easily paying your Cowlitz County PUD electricity bill.

Overview of Cowlitz County Public Utility District

First, let’s provide some background on Cowlitz County PUD. As a public utility district, Cowlitz PUD is a nonprofit, community-owned utility governed by elected officials from the county. The PUD purchases electricity from the Bonneville Power Administration and other providers, then distributes power to customers throughout Cowlitz County.

Cowlitz PUD serves approximately 50,000 homes and businesses across 555 square miles. Their service area covers Longview, Kelso, Castle Rock, Woodland and surrounding rural communities. As a consumer-owned utility focused on the local community, Cowlitz PUD works to provide affordable, reliable electric service.

Part of this mission means offering convenient payment options Read on to learn the various ways you can pay your Cowlitz County PUD electricity bill

Ways to Pay Your Cowlitz County PUD Bill

Cowlitz PUD offers multiple payment channels to provide flexibility:

• Online – Pay through SmartHub, the PUD’s online account management portal. Securely pay by credit/debit card or electronic check 24/7.

• Phone – Call 1-844-965-1319 to use the automated payment system over the phone.

• Mobile App – Download the SmartHub app to pay on your smartphone or tablet on the go.

• By mail – Mail in a check or money order to the address printed on your paper bill stub.

• In person – Pay at one of Cowlitz PUD’s payment kiosks around the county or at the drive-thru office.

• Drop box – Deposit your payment in the drop box at Cowlitz PUD’s headquarters.

Choose the option that is most convenient for your needs each month. Many customers appreciate the around-the-clock access of paying online.

Step-by-Step Guide to Paying Online

Ready to simplify bill payment by paying your Cowlitz PUD bill online? Follow these steps:

1. Visit www.cowlitzpud.smarthub.coop or go to Cowlitz PUD’s website and click on “Pay My Bill”.

2. If paying for the first time, click “New User” to set up your SmartHub account. Provide your account number, name, email, and create a password.

3. On the SmartHub homepage, click the large green “Pay” banner at the top. This will take you to the payment screen.

4. Confirm your account balance and enter the payment amount. Select whether to pay by credit/debit card or electronic check.

5. Enter your card or bank account information and billing details.

6. Review all details to ensure they are correct. Click “Continue” to proceed with payment.

7. Get a payment confirmation email for your records. The payment will immediately reflect in your SmartHub account.

Paying online through SmartHub allows you to pay in under 5 minutes any time of day without leaving home. Setup automatic payments for even more convenience.

Ways to Pay In Person

In addition to remote payment options, Cowlitz PUD also has in-person ways to pay your bill:

Drive-thru office – The PUD office has a drive-thru window allowing you to pay your bill from your vehicle. The drive-thru at 961 12th Avenue in Longview is open Monday-Thursday, 7am-5:30pm.

Payment kiosks – Cowlitz PUD has a network of self-service bill payment kiosks located around the county. Kiosks accept cash, checks, and credit/debit cards. Find kiosk locations on the PUD’s website.

Authorized payment centers – Pay your bill in person at authorized MoneyGram locations like Walmart, Winco, and Pet’s Pawns & Imports.

Regardless of your payment method, be sure to have your account number available for faster processing. Include your name, address, and contact information as well.

Sign Up for Paperless Billing

Tired of clutter from paper bills and reminders? Cowlitz PUD lets you go paperless and receive billing statements electronically through SmartHub instead.

To enroll in paperless billing:

1. Login to SmartHub.

2. Click on “My Profile” from the menu.

3. Select “Update my Printed Bill Settings”.

4. Choose “Go Paperless”.

5. Click “Save Changes”.

You will receive an email notification each month when your new e-statement is ready to view. By going paperless, you reduce waste and can conveniently access billing history right through SmartHub.

Get Payment Assistance from Cowlitz PUD

Between inflation and rising energy costs, bills can put a strain on household budgets. If you are struggling to pay your Cowlitz PUD electric bill, assistance is available:

Payment arrangements – Contact Cowlitz PUD to set up a payment plan that spreads payments over multiple months if you cannot pay the full balance.

Bill Round Up Program – Round your bill up to the nearest dollar to support the PUD’s Emergency Relief Fund for local families in need.

Energy assistance grants – Qualified lower-income customers can receive grants from Cowlitz County social service agencies applied directly to their PUD bill.

Reach out to Cowlitz PUD to learn about payment assistance options if you are experiencing financial hardship. They can help avoid service shut-offs and make paying your bill more manageable.

Monitor Energy Use Through SmartHub

Along with bill payment, SmartHub also enables you to monitor your home’s energy use. Having visibility into your daily electric consumption allows you to identify waste and high-use periods.

To view usage:

• Login to SmartHub

• Click on “My Usage”

• Select your electric meter

• View hourly, daily, monthly, or annual electricity use

• Compare usage over time to see trends and seasonal spikes

Insights from your usage data can prompt you to take conservation measures like upgrading appliances, adding insulation, or modifying energy-intensive behaviors. Saving energy ultimately saves you money on your electricity bill.

Cowlitz PUD Customer Service

While Cowlitz PUD expands online and self-service options for added convenience, they recognize that technology can also be frustrating at times. If you ever need help with SmartHub or have questions about your account, Cowlitz PUD’s customer service team is ready to assist you.

Contact Cowlitz PUD customer service:

• By phone at 1-360-423-2210

• In person at the PUD office in Longview

• Online through the “Contact Us” page

The Cowlitz PUD team strives to provide caring, individualized support to customers. Lean on their expertise when needed as you manage your electric account.

Paying Your Cowlitz County PUD Bill Just Got Easier

As a community-owned utility, Cowlitz PUD works hard to supply affordable, reliable electric service to all customers. They aim to make bill payment smooth and simple for county residents as well. With options to pay your bill by phone, online, on your mobile device, by mail, or in person, paying your PUD bill can fit any schedule.

Sign up for paperless billing to access statements conveniently through SmartHub and monitor your home’s energy use while you’re there. If you face financial hardship, Cowlitz PUD has payment assistance programs available so your family can continue enjoying the essential service of electricity. As life gets increasingly busy, small tasks like paying bills can get pushed aside. Don’t let pay your PUD bill become an unnecessary stress each month. Take advantage of the payment options that work best for you.