Wahkiakum PUD discusses wind turbine possibilities

Wahkiakum PUD commissioners and staff met January 5 to discuss weather, wind turbines, and other matters.

December’s cold spell caused record peak consumption for Cathlamet and vicinity and a correspondingly high transmission bill from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), said PUD Manager Dave Tramblie.

Tramblie reported that a BPA representative called him prior to the holidays about the possibility of using the PUD’s share of power generated by a one percent interest in the Packwood Lake Hydroelectric Project on the Cowlitz River. An evaluation from an engineering firm had estimated the value of output owned by Wahkiakum PUD in the range of $125,000 to $1 million depending on output and market fluctuation, said Tramblie.

Tramblie noted the BPA deadline for the board’s decision on taking the Packwood dam into load is March 1. Commissioner Larry Reese then announced he had received a phone call the previous evening from a representative of Snohomish PUD to notify the board that Snohomish had received a 90-day extension to the March 1 deadline.

PUD Auditor Erin Wilson reported a staff member would attend a meeting in Astoria to learn about how local contractors can be trained and certified for participation in the Lower Columbia Community Action Program’s (CAP) weatherization initiative for low-income homeowners and renters in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties.

Wahkiakum County families are eligible to apply for the program, but CAP staff told Wilson that travel costs for contractors have made the program not cost effective here.

Wilson said there are currently no local contractors involved in the program. The Weatherization program is meant to help families become more energy efficient, save money, and keep warmer in the winter by eliminating heat loss. Possible measures include insulation installation, caulking, weather-stripping, and window treatments.

Commissioner Larry Reese shared information he had gathered about Skyron wind turbines. The turbines are manufactured in Clark County, and the production facility has a demonstration unit in use.

Reese explained the price to the PUD would be approximately $15,000 for one turbine, including federal credits, although Reese estimated that state credits might reduce the cost further.

Commissioners discussed the possibility that such a piece of equipment might be put into generation or could be used as a supplemental source in times of power outages. The projected output of the unit is 3400 watts at a 14-15 mile per hour wind. With no wind, there would be no output. Reese characterized the turbine as resembling an eggbeater in shape and having little danger to birds.

During the manager’s report, Tramblie read a prepared statement to clarify comments he had made at the previous meeting. Referring to an idea to hire a consultant, Tramblie said, “My concern was and is that management and commissioners cannot sit back and be content with what we have accomplished. We must continue to be vigilant in our effort to operate this utility in the best interests of our customers.

“I believe we have a dedicated and hard working group of employees and it is up to management to make sure they have the tools to succeed. The idea of having an unbiased third party take a look at our utility was just that, an idea. I am open to any and all suggestions that will help us on our mission of providing the most reliable service at a reasonable cost.”