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New trash racks designed to increase power generation

Chelan County PUD
News Release
6/6/2005

A new design for the racks that protect generating units in the second powerhouse at Rock Island Dam from river debris could result in increased power production valued at up to $1 million a year. 

Monday, PUD commissioners awarded a $275,000 contract to Northwest Steel Fabricators of Spokane to make the first of what could be up to eight new trash racks. The design would allow water to come through the racks at higher pressure, increasing power production, explained Chris Church, PUD engineering director. The first unit will be installed by PUD employees and tested to make sure the expected gains are delivered.

If successful, new racks will be ordered for the other units in the second powerhouse along with a cleaning system to collect logs and debris that build up on the racks. The total project is estimated at $8.5 million.  

Steel poles ordered for new transmission line
PUD commissioners called for bids to supply steel poles for an 8.5-mile transmission line to carry power across Burch Mountain from Rocky Reach Dam to the Andrew York/Monitor Switchyard.

The new transmission line is needed to provide reliability as demand on the District’s power system increases. Construction is scheduled to start in early 2006, said George Velazquez, project manager. Planning for the line started in 1998 and is part of upgrades designed to meet growth through 2018, explained Chad Rissman, Distribution chief engineer.

Easements for construction of the line on private and public property are in final negotiation, added Tracy Yount, environmental affairs director. Construction cost is estimated at $7 million.

In other business, commissioners:

• Met high school seniors Johana Alvarez, Wenatchee, and Anika Grubb, Eastmont, the first recipients of Andrew York Memorial scholarships. They and Journeyman Lineman Mark Groves reminded everyone about the dangers of driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs. They also invited everyone to the first-annual Andrew York Memorial Lineman Rodeo at 8 a.m. at Rocky Reach Dam on Saturday, June 11. The event, organized by PUD employees, is free, but donations will be accepted to support the scholarship that goes to Chelan and Douglas county high school graduates who are active in drug and alcohol prevention programs. York, a Chelan County PUD journeyman lineman, was struck by a drunken driver while on the job in 2000 and died.
• Approved a contract with Welchman Consulting, Baltimore, Md., to provide technical support for rebuilding the District’s Web site and developing the foundation for a content management system for a cost not to exceed $100,000.
• Approved an extension of the excavation contract with Rayfield Bros. Excavating, Leavenworth, and Pipkin Construction, Wenatchee, through December 2005, at no increase in cost from the original contract awarded in 2002. PUD staff had requested an extension through 2006. Commissioners trimmed the time period to provide more opportunity for other bidders next year, but allow access to the existing contract for projects this year.
• Declared a list of District items surplus and available for sale at the Chelan County auction on June 25 at the county shop on Easy Street, north of Wenatchee. 

***

The next meeting of the PUD Board of Commissioners is at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 13, in the PUD boardroom at 327 N. Wenatchee Ave.

Most PUD commission meetings are recorded, and a link to the audio is available on the PUD’s home page at www.chelanpud.org.

Kimberlee Craig
Public Information Officer
661-4320, direct line
679-6858, cell
kimc@chelanpud.org