Your PUD
News Release
Commissioners talk philosophy
Chelan County PUD
News Release
5/21/2007
What Chelan County PUD may be asked to do in the future, as well as how it will meet its responsibilities now, were among the topics commissioners discussed Monday as they move toward the end of the strategic planning process that will set the utility’s direction for the next five years.
How best to balance being fiscally prudent and sharing the benefits of public power and the services it provides with all residents of the county was among the themes that emerged from the two-hour discussion.
“Everything changes quickly in today’s world,” noted Norm Gutzwiler, commission president.
PUD commissioners are closing in on 10 months of financial analysis, policy discussions and public meetings designed to set the utility’s course through 2012.
General Manager Rich Riazzi has recommended the PUD move away from reliance on volatile wholesale power sales revenue and onto more secure financial footing for the future.
In addition to cost-cutting, commissioners are also considering rate increases for electric, water and sewer service. The pace of construction for the wholesale fiber-optic network is also being considered.
Decisions are expected at the fourth community strategic planning session at 5:30 p.m. on June 11 at the Confluence Technology Center in Wenatchee.
PUD commissioners are encouraging customer-owners to comment on the proposals. Information on the options is on the PUD’s Web site at http://www.chelanpud.org/ under “strategic planning.”
In other business, commissioners:
- Declared used computers surplus and set a public auction for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on June 2 in the PUD’s Wenatchee auditorium.
- Heard that negotiations have resulted in overall savings of 13.6 percent on premiums for PUD business insurance for the coming year. Ron Gibbs, insurance and claims manager, said premiums, which had taken a big jump following 9/11, Enron and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, are nearly back to 2000 levels. Total premiums for the year starting June 1 are $1.7 million.
- Learned the PUD will start a six-month test of using biodiesel in its trucks and equipment. The B20 mix (20 percent soybean oil) will come from Coleman Fuel of Yakima, at the same cost as the ultra low sulfur diesel the PUD uses now. The test is one step in developing a District conservation program for internal water use, power use, fuel use and recycling.
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Commissioners will meet with Chelan County commissioners from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22, to discuss issues of joint concern. They will meet in the county commission chambers at the Courthouse, 350 Orondo Ave., in Wenatchee.
PUD commissioners also set a special meeting for noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 24, at the Entiat Library, to meet with the Entiat Customer Partnership Group. Commissioners have set four more special meetings in June and July to attend customer partnership group meetings. Click here for a list of the meetings, which is posted on the www.chelanpud.org .
The next regular meeting of the PUD commission is at 10 a.m. (note the early starting time) on Tuesday, May 29, (moved from Monday due to Memorial Day) in the boardroom at 327 N. Wenatchee Ave.
Commissioners also reset the start time and location for the June 11 meeting to 5:30 p.m. at the Confluence Technology Center, 285 Technology Way, for the fourth community strategic planning session.
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
509-661-4320, direct line
509-679-6858, cell
kimc@chelanpud.org