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PUD goal to keep up with growth and stay reliable

Chelan County PUD
News Release
10/17/2005

As part of the 2006 budget process, PUD commissioners Monday participated in discussions regarding the PUD’s water and electric distribution systems. Presentations from staff outlined the projects planned for 2006 (and the next few years) to keep up with consumption and growth, while making sure that electrical and water systems stay reliable and safe.

Major construction for the PUD’s water system in 2006 is forecast at about $4.2 million. Operation and maintenance spending is projected to be about $2 million. Major water projects include replacing steel and galvanized water mains with more reliable ductile iron pipe, purchase of automatic water-meter reading equipment, construction of a well to serve the Chelan Ridge area, and possible preliminary design and engineering for a Monitor water system if that projects moves forward.

Major construction for the PUD’s electrical distribution system in 2006 is forecast at about $14.9 million, with operation and maintenance spending at about $10.5 million. Major projects include replacing aging power poles and underground lines, managing trees and other vegetation around power lines, and $6 million for the 8.5-mile-long Rocky Reach to Andrew York/Monitor Switchyard transmission line.

“The electric utility is aging and growing,” noted Jack Winter, assistant general manager for Distribution. “That combination will result in increases in both capital and operations and maintenance requirements in the future.”

The 2006 PUD budget will continue to be refined and analyzed by managers and the board before a final budget is presented for PUD commission approval on Dec. 5. 

In other business, commissioners:

• Authorized a no-cost agreement with Lifetime Entertainment Services to transport three channels over the PUD’s wholesale fiber-optic network. PUD fiber-optic service providers, who will pay for the programming content, are entering into their own contract to provide the channels to their retail customers.
• Approved a 25-year right-of-way agreement with the city of Entiat for installation, operation and maintenance of the PUD’s wholesale fiber-optic system. As the PUD owns its own electric facilities and will build the majority of its fiber-optic facilities on and within these pre-existing structures, the city will not charge the PUD additional fees. The Entiat City Council voted to approve the agreement last week. Similar agreements were approved earlier this year for Chelan, Wenatchee and Chelan County. 

***

Commissioners adjourned to reconvene at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19, in the PUD Auditorium at 327 N. Wenatchee Avenue. Those attending will listen by speakerphone to a meeting with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staff in Washington, D.C., on Rocky Reach relicensing issues. PUD commissioners Werner Janssen and Norm Gutzwiler will be in Washington, D.C. Other PUD commissioners and the public will listen by phone from Wenatchee.

The next regular meeting of the PUD commission will start at 10 a.m., Monday, Oct. 24, 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 Web site, www.chelanpud.org.

Christy Shearer
Communications Specialist
509.661.4258
509.421.4258, cell
christin@chelanpud.org