PUD evaluates savings from conservation work

At Tuesday’s Wahkiakum County PUD Board of Commissioner’s meeting, Customer Service Representative Lia Sealund gave an update on how conservation dollars are being used around the community. Later, commissioners and staff brainstormed ways to pay for improvements to the Western Wahkiakum Water System after a customer suggested that the PUD make the most of a coming project to install a section of a water line.

Sealund reported that customers have been taking advantage of rebates for lighting, ductless and air source heat pumps, new windows and insulation.

A new budget period begins in October of this year, and the budget is projected to be a little less than $100,000 for conservation projects. This biennium, the PUD had $106,418 to spend. Thus far, they have used approximately 63 percent of those dollars, according to Sealund’s report.

“Since 2011, we have calculated that we have assisted our customers in saving just over 3.8 million KWH in electricity,” Sealund said.

“That’s nearly $300,000 that they have kept in their pockets,” General Manager Dave Tramblie added.

Commissioner Dennis Reid reported that he had been approached by a customer who wanted to know if the PUD could install a water line while they were excavating 3,200 feet to install conductor for the electric system on the Westend.

“The system doesn’t have the money to pay for the $15,000 or so that it would cost for the pipe to go in there,” Reid said. “I’m thinking that we need to think outside the box, because it’s a real shame to not get that done. It’s going to cost more money later on, if we have to pay money for another trenching job to put all that in.”

“It’s right in the middle of the project,” Tramblie said. “It’s going to be a stranded investment if we don’t find a way to connect both ends of it. It’s a 1.8 mile project. We’re only going to open up 3,200 feet.”

Tramblie said that he and Auditor Erin Wilson have been considering the matter.

“We need to think about more than today,” Commissioner Gene Healy said. “We need to think about 50 years from now and we want to offer water to everyone on that side of the river. Our successors will curse us if we don’t do stuff like this.”

Tramblie said that in the past they had tried to set up a local improvement district and find ways to get customers help pay for this.

“We’ve always run into road blocks,” Tramblie said. “It’s a tough one to ask existing customers to pay for line extensions for new customers.”

“Especially when the customers already feel like their payments are too high,” Reid added.

The PUD has separate budgets for the electric system, the Puget Island Water System, and the Western Wahkiakum Water System. Historically, the WWWS has not had much money.

Jungers suggested that they consider revisiting the notion of acting as one financial entity, instead of three independent utilities.

“We have an electric utility that is the primary revenue generator of the utility over all,” Jungers said. “It is very healthy and is owned by the same people that are our water customers. It’s an option if we want to make our utility robust in all of it’s services.”

The PUD will continue to consider options.

Tramblie reported that crews installed approximately 100 of the new automatic meter reading water meters on the island last week.

“My goal is to have that project completed in June on the island,” Tramblie said.

There is currently $219 available in the Residential Energy Assistance Program, according to Wilson.

The next PUD meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 4, at 8:30 a.m. in the PUD meeting room.