Your PUD
News Release
Big commitment to keep dams in top shape
Chelan County PUD
News Release
10/10/2005
Budget presentations at the morning and afternoon board sessions outlined the projects planned over the next few years to make sure that the PUD’s dams remain in top working order.
Those projects include:
- Modernization of the 11 generating units at Rocky Reach, started in 1995, will be completed by 2007.
- Modernization of up to five units in the first powerhouse at Rock Island Dam moves into high gear next year and could stretch until 2012.
- Planning to upgrade the two units in the Chelan powerhouse has started, with installation scheduled for 2008 and 2009.
“There is no other time in the history of the PUD in which we will be involved in all these activities at the same time,” noted Gregg Carrington, hydro services director.
While that’s a challenge for staff, budget and coordination, it also makes good use of the expertise developed by the Rocky Reach modernization team. Many of those employees have moved on to the Rock Island project, Carrington said.
Major construction at the PUD’s dams in 2006 is forecast at about $63.7 million of the total capital budget of $111.6 million. Operation and maintenance spending for 2006 at the dams is projected to be up about 31 percent over last year.
Commissioners discuss board relationships
A meeting Wednesday to discuss board member relationships was postponed because Commissioner Bob Boyd can’t attend. No new date was set, but board members agreed it is important for all commissioners to attend if another meeting is held.
Commissioners also agreed that the PUD could advertise for a new executive assistant to General Manger Charlie Hosken. Job duties will include possible temporary and/or permanent duties as clerk of the board. Commissioners have discussed having a separate clerk for the PUD board, but reached no decision.
Lisa James, executive assistant to Hosken and clerk of the board, has taken another job at the PUD.
They also clarified that discussion under “commissioner items” on the board’s agenda will be used to provide direction to each other as they represent the District on other boards and industry groups.
In other business, commissioners:
- Received an update from Randy Lowe, Power Management director, on a wind energy project near Reardan proposed by Energy Northwest. Chelan County PUD already holds a 12.1-percent share of the Energy Northwest wind project at Nine Canyon. Lowe recommended against the PUD taking part in the new project. Analysis showed it would be difficult to get the power from the site to Chelan County and most of the power would come in the spring, when the PUD already has a good supply of hydropower from melting snow.
- Agreed to provide another $12,000 to the Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board to cover half the cost of facilitator Denny Rohr’s time through the end of 2005.
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Commissioners canceled a special meeting planned for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct 12, to discuss board member relationships. The next regular meeting of the PUD Board of Commissioners is at 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 17, in the PUD boardroom at 327 N. Wenatchee Ave. Commissioners also set a special meeting for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 19, in the PUD Auditorium at 327 N. Wenatchee Avenue. Those attending can listen by speakerphone to the meeting being held 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 can listen by phone from Wenatchee.
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
661-4320, direct line
679-6858, cell
kimc@chelanpud.org