Your PUD PUD News Line

11/22/2005

General manager search moves forward

PUD commissioners will publicly interview representatives of four executive search firms on Dec. 2, taking another step in the search for a new PUD general manager. The firm that is chosen will assist PUD commissioners in finalizing a profile and identifying candidates for the job. Commissioners chose the following firms for interviews at the following times on Dec. 2:

• 8:30 a.m. - The Search Partnership, Bridgewater, N. J.
• 10:30 a.m. - Little and Associates, Broomfield, Colo.
• 1:30 p.m. - Waters-Oldani Executive Recruitment, Dallas, Texas
• 3:30 p.m. - Passage and Associates, Seattle

Hiring an executive search firm is one of several steps being taken by commissioners to fill the vacancy created when Charlie Hosken accepted a new job in California. Board members appointed Wayne Wright interim general manager and are holding seven meetings across the county to gather public comment on the qualifications and characteristics desired in the next PUD general manager.

 The remaining meetings will be held on:

• Nov. 22 – 5 p.m. at the Chelan County PUD Auditorium, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave.
• Nov. 28 – 7 p.m. Chelan County Fire District 1 station in Malaga
• Nov. 29 – 7 p.m. Campbell’s Resort in Chelan

Can’t make it to a meeting? Click here to send your comments via email.

Resource$mart energy saving program gets another $1 million

PUD commissioners gave a thumbs up to a $1-million extension to a PUD-sponsored program to help Chelan County industrial and commercial customers use electricity more efficiently.

 The funds buy back the energy savings realized when fruit warehouses and other large users of electricity install high-tech equipment to cut energy use. Since its inception in 2000, Resource$mart has saved the PUD enough power annually to operate 1,400 homes.

Helping big customers be more energy efficient reduces the amount of power the District must buy when water supplies are low and increases the amount of energy sold into the wholesale market when there is surplus, keeping rates low for all PUD customers.

The new authorization brings to $3 million the amount invested in the program.

Click here to learn more.

Potential state initiative on the horizon

After a meeting with other Washington state PUD commissioners last week, Chelan County PUD commissioners on Monday discussed a potential state initiative that could enforce a renewable portfolio standard for utilities, or a minimum amount of “green” power production each year as percentage of a utility’s power load. Staff has followed the RPS concept for some time and will watch the initiative process closely.

Chelan County PUD considers hydropower clean and renewable. The PUD is also developing other renewable resources, including solar and wind, through the SNAP Program (Sustainable Natural Alternative Power), Nine Canyon Wind Project and the Solar Demonstration Project at the Capitol Building in Olympia. There are also solar panels at most public schools in Chelan County.

2005 season ends at Rocky Reach Visitor Center

The Rocky Reach Visitor Center will close for the season at 4 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 23. The center will reopen for the 2006 season to visitors on March 11, 2006. Public access during the winter closure will be limited to the turnaround area at the security gate near the highway.

Nearly 45,000 people visited the hydroelectric project this year, which offers powerhouse tours, museum exhibits, art displays, a theater and fish viewing.

To reserve a Rocky Reach park shelter for the 2006 season, call the Visitor Center, at 663-7522. To schedule a tour of Rocky Reach facilities in 2006, contact Debbie Gallaher at 661-4960 after Jan. 2, 2006.

Stay in touch with your PUD

The PUD’s Web site is in the process of a much-needed overhaul, but in the mean time, we’ve made it easier to get important information about the PUD on one page. Go to our Web site, www.chelanpud.org, and click on the PUD logo at the top of the page to visit On the Record.