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Commissioners hear details of incentive plan for solar, wind

Chelan County PUD
News Release
9/18/2006

PUD commissioners Tuesday were told about a new state production incentive program that would enable the PUD to redirect money away from state utility taxes it pays and put it into the pockets of local people who produce alternative energy from sources such as wind and solar.

Energy Services Engineer Jim White said the program is expected to boost jobs in the state because it provides bigger incentive payments for alternative energy producers who use equipment manufactured in the state of Washington. There are no producers now, and it’s hoped the legislation will encourage their development. White said if the program is implemented by the PUD, it would make about $9,000 more available this year to be shared among the producers in the PUD’s SNAP program (Sustainable Natural Alternative Power). If the program grows, the maximum payout would be $92,500. SNAP  producers (largely solar panels on schools and public buildings such as the Bank of America Performing Arts Center) now share roughly $25,000-$30,000 annually, depending on how many voluntary contributions are made to the program by PUD customers.

PUD commissioners took no action on the incentive program this week, but they will consider a resolution to adopt the program at their 10 a.m. meeting on Sept. 25.

In other business, PUD commissioners:

• Received an update on the District’s interest rate swaps, as required by District policy twice a year. While interest rates have fluctuated since the swaps were approved in 2005 and 2006, Chief Financial Officer Joe Jarvis said the District still plans to follow through with the transactions in the years 2007-2013 with projections that show savings of about $44 million over the life of  the existing bond issues being refinanced.

• Heard that the District is contemplating purchase of new software that will improve the ability to plan power outages and switch power supplies during planned outages.  

  ***

The next regular meeting of the PUD commission is at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 25,  2006, in the boardroom at 327 N. Wenatchee Ave. After a lunch break, the meeting will continue at 1 p.m. in the PUD Auditorium.

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

Steve Lachowicz
Communications director
(509) 661-4639, direct line
(509) 679-0148, cell
stevel@chelanpud.org