PUD board hears reports on activities

With little on the agenda at Tuesday’s PUD Board of Commissioners meeting, the general manager, the auditor and commissioners each gave a report on recent activities.

General Manager Dave Tramblie is hoping to move forward with street light replacement, a project he would like to complete in the next 12-18 months.

“I estimate that we could replace 10 lights a day pretty easily,” Tramblie said. “We still have some details to work out. The rebate is not as lucrative as it was, but I’m hoping to offset the difference by buying in bulk.”

The rebate had been $120 per fixture but recently went down to $80, according to Tramblie, and the retail cost of LED lights are $225. Conservation dollars will be used to pay for the project.

“I’d like to move forward somewhat quickly, he said, yet remain within the constraints of our budget.”

A pole next to Wahkiakum substation was hit during a recent lightning storm and would be replaced by Bonneville on Wednesday, according to Tramblie, and Port 2 recently approached the PUD and asked if a water operator might be available to take water samples for them.

“We’re waiting for a contract agreement from them,” Tramblie said. “I think it will be beneficial to both parties.”

As for the water contract with the Town of Cathlamet, he reported that the PUD was still negotiating. He had no further comment regarding the negotiation.

Auditor Erin Wilson went over financial reports for the electric and water systems in the county and informed the commissioners that there is currently $622 in the Residential Energy Assistance Program.

There have been over $1,800 in donations this year,” Wilson said. “We’ve provided a little over $1,500 in assistance.”

After the PUD had received a credit recently, commissioners wondered if that money might go toward the REAP fund. Wilson and Counsel Tim Hanigan did research and found that the PUD could not donate to REAP.

“There are times, especially in the winter,” Wilson said, “when we don’t have enough money in the REAP fund to serve our customers in need. There are other pots of money available through Health and Human Services and CAP, but it appears they are not as plentiful as they once were.”

The board approved travel for Gene Healy to attend a Washington Public Utility District Association Water Conference in Anacortes in late September.

The next meeting is scheduled for September 16, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. in the PUD meeting room.