PUD recognizes retirees, future operations

The Wahkiakum PUD met Tuesday to recognize 30 year retiring employees and to discuss water leaks.

Wally Roghair and Shannon Greene from Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) gave the board a presentation of contracts and rate cases for the upcoming fiscal year. At this time, there appear to be no changes in rates.

Employees Mike Brennan and Bill Chamberlain have both served Wahkiakum County for the past three decades. In a brief ceremony, the board thanked the men for their hard work and long hours.

Commissioner Esther Gregg joked they should thank the wives of the men for dealing with the late night calls.

In other business, PUD Attorney Timothy Hanigan told the board about a recent attorney’s conference he attended in Lake Chelan. He said new legislation on climate change; ‘greener’ legislation should be expected in the future.

“Washington is different from many other states because we only have one coal plant,” he said. "Fifty percent of the carbon produced is from transportation; trains, planes, boats and trucks.” Yet, Washington is still a leader in becoming green under state legislation.

Manager Dave Tramblie gave the board examples of recent water breaks. On Puget Island at Norse Hall this week, he said, a very small crack in the pipe caused a considerable amount of water to escape.

Tramblie said BPA has requested a power outage in the near future to replace a high voltage switch and routine maintenance. The affected areas will be east of KM Mountain to the Wahkiakum/Cowlitz County line. The outage is tentatively set for August 23 from midnight until 6 a.m.

Auditor Erin Wilson reported she has received comments from customers wishing for consistent billing dates. She said meters read on the 10th of the month will always have a due date of the 30th of the month. Meters read on the 25th will always have a due date of the 15th of the month.

A week after the bill is due, a notice will be sent. If payment still has not been received after another week, Wilson said customers will be contacted by phone.

The next PUD meeting will be August 5, 8:30 a.m.