PUD discusses wind generating project

The Wahkiakum PUD board of commissioners met Tuesday to discuss a variety of topics.

PUD Lineman Shane Pfenniger gave the board an update on the boring machine the PUD purchased last summer. He explained how the equipment works and about the problems they have faced since installation.

He said the tracking device isn’t working as well as hoped and felt a new one would be beneficial.

Pfenniger told the board the price of a new device would be approximately $16,000. The board authorized Pfenniger to go ahead with the purchase.

Energy Northwest Senior Member Relations Representative Jim Oakley updated the board on projects. He said that the Radar Ridge wind project conducted in Pacific County will have a generating capacity of 82 megawatts on 3359 acres.

He said it is anticipated it will have a 32 percent capacity factor, however, some testing indicates it could be 39 percent. “If it were to be 39 percent, that would be the highest capacity factor of any wind farm in the United States.” That is the anticipated amount, he said. Thirty two percent is the national average.

In other business, Manager Dave Tramblie told the board of a problem regarding a feeder between 2nd Street and the Messinger Hill/Elochoman Marina area. The conductor has around a 180 amp capacity. The winter peaks are getting close and could reach 100 percent capacity on that cable, he said. He said he believed this work needed to be completed as soon as possible.

The cable was installed about eight years ago and a six inch conduit was also installed. Tramblie said he knew at some point it would need to be upgraded.

“I’m of the opinion we need to get new cable in there, longer cable, 750 MCM to be specific, as soon as we can," he said. "If we have a very cold winter, that would probably be our weakest link in our entire system.”

Tramblie said the utility received money from Bonneville Power Administration after overcharges based on the Ninth Circuit court ruling in the Residential Exchange Program. This is money that the customers have paid and the PUD will receive credit back from BPA.

Tramblie and Auditor Erin Wilson thought it would be a good idea to return the money to their customers. What Wilson said they would like to do is to issue each existing customer a coupon for the amount to be used in any of the next couple months they wish.

Commissioner Esther Gregg moved and Commissioner Larry Reese seconded to credit users the $50.

The next PUD meeting is scheduled for October 21, at 8:30 a.m.