Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

PUD considers Packwood deal

Commissioners of Wahkiakum PUD once again discussed their one percent interest in the Packwood Dam at their meeting on February 16 and listened to their Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) account executive and staff present on the possible benefits and costs for small shares.

At stake is the decision about whether to take Packwood Dam into load as a generation source for Wahkiakum PUD power or to accept a purchase agreement from Clallam PUD to purchase Wahkiakum’s entire output from the dam between October 2012 and 2028. Clallam currently owns a seven percent share in the project but has approached the Skamania, Ferry, and Kittitas PUDs as well. All have shares of three percent or less.

After discussion, the board authorized Manager Dave Tramblie to proceed forward on negotiations with Clallam PUD and to notify the BPA of their decision. The BPA had requested a response by a March 1 deadline.

Additionally, Tramblie reported that he had received a membership renewal request from the Chamber of Commerce. The PUD is not currently a member, but does hang the chamber’s banners quarterly from Main Street lampposts. Since the PUD is a member of the LCEDC, said commissioner Bob Jungers, he supported officially joining the chamber as well. The board approved the motion. Manager Tramblie will attend chamber meetings to represent the PUD.

Tramblie passed around copies of a letter he had sent in response to a query from Cathlamet Mayor George Wehrfritz about the logistics of wind power production in Wahkiakum County.

The board discussed funding and property acquisition progress on a future Cathlamet substation project and urged Tramblie to push the timeline forward if possible on some aspects of the work.

Tramblie reported that he anticipated continued slow down of new construction and so has prepared plan for two major maintenance projects in the coming months- one on the Puget Island bridge and one on Jacobsen Road. He noted that the Western Wahkiakum Water system comprehensive plan, a document required by the state department of health, will expire in 2012 and so the board should plan to set aside money for the cost of completing the document.

Auditor Erin Wilson announced that she has created a draft request for proposal to replace the accounting and billing software. In addition to local advertising, Wilson plans to advertise the request in Seattle and Portland.

 

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