PUD develops plan to help with bills

Dennis Reid of Skamokawa attended his first meeting representing District 3 on the Wahkiakum PUD board of commissioners Tuesday.

PUD General Manager Dave Tramblie advised the board that Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services Community Outreach Coordinator Mary Vik is pledging funds to help ratepayers avoid shut-offs.

Customers need a disconnect notice to access Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds, but the shut-off date may be earlier than an appointment in Longview with Lower Columbia Community Action Council (CAP) which administers the program. Vik is able to advise the PUD that LIHEAP funds are likely to be coming.

Erin Wilson, PUD auditor, who is meeting with Vik to coordinate the process, said the PUD must treat customers with consistency. Wilson said she has not observed an increase in customers having difficulty paying utility bills over the past several years.

The PUD is also developing a mechanism for rate-payers to donate funds to be used for customers needing utility assistance.

Vik said CAP used $32,000 for 70 Wahkiakum county residents during the 2010 funding cycle. She said her office received $7,250 in the current funding cycle to prevent homelessness, which can be used to prevent utility shut-off in addition to foreclosure or eviction.

LIHEAP funds are based on net annual income; for example, a family of four with a net income of $27,563 could qualify. Customers can call CAP at 360-425-3430 or Toll-Free at 1-800-383-2101 or Vik at 795-8630 or 800 635-5989 for further information.

In other business:

--The commissioners updated assignments. Reid will take over Esther Gregg’s participation at the Washington PUD Association, a PUD advocacy group.

The board followed its customary rotation; Larry Reese stepped up to president, and Bob Jungers, formerly president, is this year’s secretary.

--Tramblie advised the board that he and the auditor are working on a policy that would allow workers to turn on the power to homes in foreclosure as needed for inspection by realtors.

Currently a customer may retire a meter, but there is a $500 reconnect fee. Tramblie is considering a policy to recover actual costs, that would only be available for commercial activity not to the homeowner. Tramblie said it doesn't take more than 30-45 minutes to turn on service, truck time is about $25 and hour and including overhead a worker's time is $40 per hour.

--The board discussed whether a new or used transformer would be appropriate for the new substation Wahkiakum planned to be sited next to the current substation on Jacobsen Road.

The project is expected to begin construction in 2012. A new transformer would cost between $750,000 to $1 million in a project with an overall price tag of $2.5 million in early estimates, Tramblie said.

Buying a used transformer can create uncertainty, Tramblie said, and it may be difficult to find one.

A new transformer is expected to last 50 years, depending on its use and aids reliability. The PUD is waiting for details from BPA so that engineers can begin design.