PUD considers house move, rates

Wahkiakum PUD's board of commissioners hurried through its agenda September 15 to make time for a presentation by Bonneville Power Administration representatives about the BPA’s new rate structure (see separate article).

PUD Manager David Tramblie told commissioners he had a customer that wanted to relocate a house from East Sunny Sands to a piece of property he owns on Ostervold Road.

“There are 47 locations we have to deal with along the route the house has to travel that are going to be affected,” Tramblie said, “and were not sure what all else will be involved.”

Tramblie told commissioners the house would clear some power lines with little trouble but most likely other lines would have to be disconnected before the house could pass under them.

“And what I’m thinking is maybe we should put a letter in the paper to let residents know what were doing so if there is a temporary power outage they’ll know why,” said Tramblie.

PUD Auditor, Erin Wilson suggested sending a letter to customers living along the route the house will travel. “We can come up with a letter to our customers that explains what’s happening,” she said.

Commissioners determined that a letter in the paper and phone calls to families with medical needs would probably be sufficient notification. “People that are home and see this house pass their window will surely figure out why their power is out anyway,” said Commissioner Esther Gregg.

Commissioners were also told the new Grays River spare electrical transformer will be delivered September 24 and that the PUD has requested that the BPA take the Naselle-to-Grays River circuit out of service from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on that day.

“No one will be out of power, its just a section of that loop will be out of service,” said Tramblie. “The disconnect is for the safety of people and the transformer.”

Wilson added that the PUD had finished its state audit and one commissioner should expect to attend the exit audit to discuss the report with a state auditor.

“I got the impression that the ultimate goal of the exit audit was to audit the performance of the commissioners,” said Commissioner Bob Jungers.

Commissioners also moved to hold new rate-hearings in November, then adopt the PUD’s final budget in December.

“This way we can have both the budget and hearings done by the end of the year,” said Commissioner Larry Reese.