A decision by Tacoma Power that tidal energy will be too expensive to develop in the near future will not affect the Snohomish County PUD's study of that alternative energy source, according to the PUD.

Tacoma Power concluded that current tidal-power technology won't stir up the energy needed to make it worthwhile to install turbines in the Tacoma Narrows, officials with the agency said after its decision was announced Thursday.

It could take eight to 10 years for technology to make the investment pay off, Tacoma Power officials said.

"For the technology that's available right now, the tides are just not strong enough," Tacoma Power spokeswoman Chris Gleason said.

The PUD is one year into its own three-year study of tidal power. The Snohomish County utility is investigating seven locations between the San Juan Islands and Bremerton -- including Admiralty Inlet between Whidbey Island and Port Townsend -- as possible locations for the underwater windmill-like turbines.

"Nothing is off the table at this point," PUD spokesman Neil Neroutsos said.

In January, the PUD filed key documents with federal regulators to begin testing tidal turbines at Admiralty Inlet by the end of 2010. If those tests are successful, the utility could eventually put as many as 1,662 turbines in the water. The turbines could generate enough electricity for 70,000 homes.

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