PUD: Borers, transformers, other equipment

The new-used transformer purchase was just one of the topics of discussion at the April 15 Wahkiakum PUD meeting.

Steve Mills, a representative for General Pacific, gave the board a presentation regarding “smart meters,” which utilities will have the ability to control during peak usage. For instance, he explained, they would have the ability to turn off air conditioners in residential areas for a few minutes until energy levels reached a certain peak, then would be turned back on.

Manager Dave Tramblie told the board that he received two bids for directional boring equipment. He said he is expecting a third bid in the next few days. A similar piece of machinery is available in Sacramento, California. It would come with everything that is needed and is “turn key ready.”

Commissioner Bob Jungers questioned the hours on the machine. Tramblie said he estimated about 500. The contractor who owns it has no qualms about the machine being looked at before a final sale, Tramblie said.

Commissioner Larry Reese asked Tramblie if he believed it to be beneficial to have a consultant in California to check the machine on behalf of the PUD. Jungers agreed saying it would be a good idea to have a disinterested third party to check things.

Clark County PUD will draw up a contract for the transformer purchase. A transportation company will be contacted for delivery and reassembly, at which point the transformer will be tested, Tramblie said.

Jungers expressed concern about security risks because of the influx of copper thefts in recent history. Tramblie said he wasn’t too concerned as the transformer would be difficult to tear apart.

A plan to use part of the Conservation Rate Credit (CRC) dollars would fund sending energy conserving light bulbs to residential customers. The kits would contain four fluorescent bulbs. The CRC dollars would pay for a substantial amount of the mailing costs.

The commissioners noted that the bulbs do contain a small amount of mercury, however, they had no plans to implement a recycling program.

Reese said that mercury is a concern only in bulk quantities of the light bulbs. He said he would look further into the state and federal laws regarding disposal.

Tramblie said that he has read in several articles that the reduction of consumption of energy reduces the output of mercury at the plants which is far greater than the mercury in the bulbs.

Auditor Erin Wilson told the board that government regulations for bulk mailings are changing, and the machine they currently use will soon need to be replaced. The board gave permission for Wilson to begin the search for a new bulk mailer.