PUD hears report on linking distribution lines

Wahkiakum PUD Manager Dave Tramblie told the board of commissioners this week he is searching for a back-up transformer for the Grays River/Westend system.

Tramblie reported that over the last year he has explored options of connecting the distribution systems between Cathlamet and Grays River and between Pacific County PUD and Wahkiakum PUD. Work to connect either system could cost the utility $500,000.

Tramblie said a concern is Pacific PUD requiring Wahkiakum to overbuild their circuit to make it large enough to serve additional load.

“We’d be building their system, and how often would we use it? Almost never,” he said.

A representative with Mountain West Transformer said a spare transformer could be delivered to the utility for under $100,000. Tramblie said he believed it is a good idea to set funds aside in the event of an emergency with the existing transformer, a contractor could be called to install the replacement.

“For $100,000, I think we could have our customers back on in probably less than 48 hours if we had a major disaster," he said. "Today, I think we’d be scrambling and our customers could be out for a period of time that is unacceptable to me, and also to the board.”

He would hate to be scrambling to find something, instead of having a unit ready to go, he said.

While it is a lot of money, Tramblie said the PUD is in the business of supplying electricity.

“In today’s world, I don’t think having 500 customers off for an extended period of time is acceptable,” he said.

Tramblie told the board he isn’t looking for a decision on whether to make the purchase; he just wanted to inform them of the option. He said he believed they would be remiss to not come up with a plan, “the sooner the better.”

In other business, Auditor Erin Wilson told the board the PUD is having an issue with foreclosed homes trying to get reconnected. Once a meter has been turned off for 30 days, it is considered retired. The fee for a reconnect is $500.

Wilson said there have been a few calls from area realtors requesting the water and electricity be turned on briefly for potential buyers and home inspections. Office staff have been brainstorming ideas to meet the needs of those individuals.

The next meeting of the PUD will be May 5 at 8:30 a.m. At 1 p.m., the board will reconvene for a strategic planning session to discuss conservation issues. The public is invited to attend.