Your PUD
News Release
Customer group considers converting underground power lines
Chelan County PUD
News Release
4/18/2005
Chelan resident Mike Sherer spoke for a group of Chelan County residents to PUD commissioners on Monday, describing the group’s research and recommendations for converting more overhead PUD power lines to underground.
In addition to Sherer, the group was made up of representatives from all areas of the county. They had met previously with the PUD’s Distribution Department to study the issue, explore creative solutions and develop recommendations for future underground work.
The customer group included:
- Wendy Cowell – Wenatchee
- Pete Devries – Leavenworth
- Don Files – Wenatchee Heights
- Bob King – Wenatchee
- Scott McKellar – Chelan
- Steve McKenna – Manson
- Mike Mrachek – Malaga
- Jed Odenrider – Monitor
- Martin Roys – Monitor
- Mike and Lynn Smallwood – Peshastin
- Terry Talbot – Cashmere
- Bob Whitehall – Entiat
To come to a recommendation, the group considered cost, reliability and aesthetics. While the group recognized that with current technology and policies, most utilities are six times as likely to install overhead lines rather than underground, they emphasized that aesthetics have moved to the forefront for many county residents, despite higher costs.
Overall, the group recommended that the PUD look into the possibility of allowing neighborhoods to form a legally binding group to decide if they want to convert overhead lines to underground. They also recommended that residents pay for construction themselves (with help from the PUD to find outside funding) and suggested that the PUD provide materials at a reduced price or no cost.
Commissioners thanked the group for their thoughts and the time they put into the research and report.
Staff will report to commissioners within 60 days after closely evaluating the customer group’s recommendations.
In other business, commissioners:
- Heard an update from Allison Williams, director of executive services for the city of Wenatchee, on future expansion of the Orondo boat basin in Riverfront Park at the foot of Orondo Avenue. Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with the city in December 2003 to expand the basin’s dock and provide future maintenance. In response to strong community support for construction of a day-use dock on the Columbia River, the city applied for and received state funds for planning, design and permitting. Future improvements also include the addition of 10 parking spaces for vehicles and boats.
***
The next regular meeting of the PUD commission will start at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 25, in the boardroom of the Headquarters Building, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave.
Most PUD commission meetings are recorded and a link to the audio is available on the PUD’s home page, www.chelanpud.org.
Christy Shearer
Communications Specialist
509.661.4258
509.421.4258, cell
christin@chelanpud.org