Your PUD PUD News Line

8/1/2006

Come join us Aug. 23 to discuss what’s ahead for the PUD

The first of several evening meetings is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Confluence Technology Center to talk about the challenges and opportunities ahead for Chelan County PUD. We’d like the community to help us determine how the PUD should position itself to be most effective for the customers it serves. Watch for more details in upcoming public notices, and set the evening aside on your calendar.

Two miles of water line up for replacement
About two miles of old water mains in several neighborhoods in and around Wenatchee will be replaced under two contracts totaling $1.4 million. Strider Construction of Bellingham was awarded both contracts. The work will start in early August and continue through October.

Old steel pipe will be replaced with ductile iron to improve water pressure, fire flow and water quality. On the western edge of Wenatchee, pipe will go in along Fifth Street, Skyline Drive and Valleyvue Road. In the Sunnyslope area, work will be done along Peters Street (between Easy and School streets), Alvista Street and View Place.

Dave Johnson, PUD Water/Wastewater director, said the work is part of a plan to replace about 20 miles of aging water mains in PUD systems over the next few years.

Rock Island Hydro Park boat launch to be rebuilt
The popular boat launch at Rock Island Hydro Park will be rebuilt this fall under a $229,340 contract awarded Monday to Blodgett Construction Associates Inc. of Malaga. Work must be completed between Sept. 1 and Oct. 15. Hydro Park is on Highway 28, two miles south of Wenatchee.

The 25-year-old launch will be rebuilt using concrete panels that lock into a metal frame, reducing erosion from wear and prop wash.

Good news in PUD first-half financial results
Wholesale power sales revenues for the first half of 2006 are $2.5 million ahead of budget, reported Randy Lowe, Power Management director. Lowe said the increase is due to above-average runoff and spikes in power prices because of the recent West Coast heat wave.

Total sales revenue for the year is now forecast at $59 million to $64 million. The 2006 budget calls for $58 million in wholesale power revenue.

Chief Financial Officer Joe Jarvis updated the board on second quarter financial results. Net electric distribution assets are $6.1 million more than budgeted. Cash reserves now stand $187.3 million including the $89 million payment from Puget Sound Energy made as part of its new 20-year power sales contract.

Jarvis cautioned that much of the reserves are already earmarked for major expenses including the PUD’s share of upgrades at its three dams, the cost of new dam license requirements, paying down debt and to protect against future high power prices. The average rate of return on second quarter investment was 4.6 percent on an average invested balance of $368 million.

Six candidates for commission seats
The following people have filed declarations of candidacy for the two PUD commission seats up for election this fall. A primary election to narrow the field for the District 2 seat will be held Sept. 19. The general election is Nov. 7.

At-Large District B (four-year term now held by Gary Montague)
Gary Montague, Wenatchee
Dennis Bolz, Wenatchee

District 2 (six-year term now held by Bob Boyd)
Randy Smith, Cashmere
Leo Thomas “Buster” Ercanbrack, Dryden
Nick Stemm, Leavenworth
Michael W. McComas, Leavenworth

Stay in touch with your PUD
We’ve made it easier to get important information about the PUD on one page. Go to our Web site, http://www.chelanpud.org/, and go to YOUR PUD.

 
Residents of Chelan County can now find out in seconds if the they are in a fiber-optic build zone. Click on the map to access the PUD’s fiber-optics mapping feature.