LACEY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A public hearing turned ugly after racial slurs and other hate speech dominated the conversation.

The virtual public hearing was held last Wednesday, Oct. 7 by the state Utilities and Transportation Commission regarding Puget Sound Energy’s proposed rate hike.

According to the state UTC, a so-called “bad actor” made repeated racial slurs and other disruptive remarks throughout the hearing.

The state UTC apologized to other community members who attended the hearing for being subjected to the hate speech.

PSE scheduled their hearing after requesting a nearly 17% increase in residential electric rates and a 13% increase in natural gas rates.

So-called bad actors have infiltrated virtual public hearings closer to home in recent years.

My Bellingham Now previously reported on a Whatcom County Council meeting that was infiltrated by a person who made anti-Semitic and other racial remarks in February 2024.

The city of Bellingham also temporarily suspended public comment in February 2024 following a rash of other “bad actors” interrupting local government hearings.