PUD attracting candidates for board

At its meeting Tuesday, the Wahkiakum Public Utility District board of commissioners reviewed Residential Exchange Settlement details from Bonneville Power Administration and entertained questions about its emergency plan from potential candidates for commissioner.

General Manager Tramblie reported that a new contract from BPA for the next two years gives the district 5.08 megawatts, which is close to current average annual use.

The Residential Exchange Settlement that will change how BPA shares energy between public utility districts and investor owned utilities (IOUs) has been released and Wahkiakum PUD commissioners and staff have been considering its impact.

Commissioner Bob Jungers reviewed the document and summarized his concerns. The settlement makes changes to the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act signed in 1980, which safeguarded public utilities. At present there are six corporations which own utility companies in the region, bringing huge legal resources to bear to shape the new allocations in their favor, Jungers said. “I’m not inclined to accept this. We’d be leaving a lot of money on the table,” Jungers said, with PUDs forfeiting look-back compensation. The settlement would be in effect until 2028. Tramblie, Jungers and the district’s attorney Tim Hanigan planned to attend training on the settlement Wednesday. Commissioner Dennis Reid was attending new commissioner training Wednesday, he said.

In other business, the board authorized Tramblie to accept a settlement from the state Department of Revenue of $12,000 for taxes that were improperly collected in 2007 and 2008.

The privilege tax is collected on the base rate of power, Hanigan said. The PUD had to sue to get the settlement.

Candidates for Wahkiakum Public Utility District are appearing at board meetings. The PUD has received 10 applications, and is accepting them until March 18.

The current commissioners, Jungers and Reid will interview and appoint a commissioner to replace Larry Reese, who resigned effective March 31.

Lee Tischer, Gene Healy and Loren Jennings said they have submitted applications. Tony Aegerter said he was considering applying. Jennings told the board he is a civil engineer who designs public utilities and is a strong supporter of public utilities over privately owned utilities based on his experience. Commissioners receive $1300 per month and full medical coverage for self and family.

During a public comment period, Lee asked if the PUD had a plan for emergencies; Healy asked if the PUD had a book with an emergency plan. Tramblie answered “yes” to both questions.

In response to further questions about the recent tsunami advisory that had some Puget Islanders anxious, Tramblie said the PUD responds to reports of problems from customers. They receive notifications of problems about weather from the sheriff’s office or the internet, but do not “have people standing by.”

Tramblie said he feels that’s a poor use of resources. He said he does not participate in local emergency planning efforts because he’s often in the field, but the PUD has a list of critical sites, such as the water plant on the Elochoman already developed.

After the meeting, Jennings headed to a table holding a corroded valve attached to a four-inch white PVC pipe that Tramblie brought to show the state of the infrastructure in the Westend of the county.

“I’ve never seen a water main this small,” Jennings said.