Imagine paying much less for your power bill.

Better yet, think about cleaner energy being the reason for a lowered electric bill.

That’s the hope and dream of a group called Island Power, created by a group of residents and neighbors who are interested in creating a non-profit electric utility for Bainbridge.

“It will be a big deal to the island if we go forward with it,” said Steve Johnson, co-chair of Island Power.

“I wouldn’t be working on it if I didn’t think it was a big deal. If they (islanders) agree with me, we’ll see,” he said. “There’s sort of no downsides.”

If residents concur, Island Power hopes to buy out Puget Sound Energy equipment and provide lower rates, creation of local jobs and reduction of carbon emissions along with community ownership, control and economic benefits.

Right now, the annual power bill of the island hovers around $14 million, Johnson estimated. With a public utility in place, that cost would be much, much lower, he and others with Island Power believe. It also would mean cleaner energy as the island’s current electricity comes from the Montana-based Colstrip plant, which is the second-largest coal-fired generating facility west of the Mississippi River.

The idea of public power is not a new one. Voters established the right to form public utility districts in 1930, according to the Washington Public Utility Districts Association website. Currently, 28 public utility districts serve customers across Washington, providing electric, water, sewer and wholesale telecommunications services.

“I was thinking it would be great if Bainbridge Island can take a stand against global warming,” said Jane Lindley, an Island Power co-chair. Lindley said she spoke with Johnson in December about the possibility of a public utility district. Since then, a core group of supporters have united in agreement that a public utility district may just be the way to go for a place filled with many who do consider themselves environmentally-conscious residents.

But thoughtful acts like plugging in an electric car would make a much bigger impact if the energy wasn’t coming from a coal-burning plant, Lindley explained.

“A lot of people don’t think about electricity,” she said. “It works, so why bother it?

“We have a lot of people who care about the environment on this island. I think people will embrace the notion that we can as an island be a model of sustainability for other cities,” Lindley said.

Organizers eventually hope to take the idea to the ballot box.

While there is hope for an advisory ballot this November, it still will take much time for public power to be established, organizers said.

Jefferson County — similar in size to Bainbridge — is what Lindley calls the perfect blueprint model for the island’s own power company.

It took five years for a public utility district to be established in Jefferson County, and Lindley expects it will take about the same amount of time if the idea is popular on Bainbridge.

In April 2013, Jefferson County made history and became the first county in Washington in 60 years to shift over to public power after voters approved the switch and infrastructure was purchased from PSE. Bainbridge Island may just be next if support is strong enough.

“It may seem complex, but it’s pretty simple,” said Johnson, who worked for the Washington Public Utility Districts Association for 23 years. “The challenge is this needs to be a community decision. Do they want to do this?”

According to Island Power’s website, three steps are necessary to create an island-owned public utility. A vote must be made to have the city establish electric utility. A buyout of PSE’s electrical infrastructure across the island would follow.

Lastly, there will be a transfer of electricity service from PSE to the Bainbridge Island utility.

“PSE has served us well, but they are a for-profit, foreign-owned company,” Johnson said. “We essentially have been renting from a private, for-profit company.”

Island Power promotes the idea that its energy will be more reliable than PSE as utility crew employees will be based on or live on the island. Island Power supporters also believe it is an easy way for everyone to be greener as a whole instead of one individual trying to make a difference.

“Because we’re an island, we can do this and get behind this,” Lindley said. “It’s a way to make a huge change without hugely impacting everyone’s lifestyle.”

The group hopes to schedule a community meeting in the months ahead.

For more information on the group’s initiative, visit www.island-power.org.