Your PUD
News Release
Board begins look into PUD’s future
Chelan County PUD
News Release
8/23/2006
The first in a series of meetings to develop guiding principles for the future direction of Chelan County PUD attracted about 150 people to the Confluence Technology Center Wednesday night.
“This meeting is intended to put us all on the same page and to set a path to success for the future,” said PUD Commission President Gary Montague. “We are financially sound in this district and we wish to remain that way.”
General Manager Rich Riazzi invited community members and PUD employees to outline services now offered by the PUD and those desired in the future.
Comments ranged from the need to consider the impact of global warming on load and power generation to recognizing the PUD’s role in the local economy, its responsibility for environmental stewardship, line extension fees, the need to collaborate with other entities, serve visitors to its parks and maintain affordable electric rates.
An overview of 2005 costs and revenue showed that the PUD relies heavily on surplus wholesale power sales to provide enough revenue to help balance the budget each year.
That revenue is projected at $58 million this year. However, that source of income may fluctuate greatly depending on energy markets and water conditions or runoff, Riazzi said. The price this year has been as low as $1 per megawatt hour and as high as $400.
Riazzi promised a deeper look into PUD finances at the next meeting in late October or early November. It will start with five years of financial history and look at possibilities five years into the future. Risks such as drought, a drop in power prices, higher demand due to a cold snap or population growth and cost of new regulations will be factored in.
Additional meetings will cover priorities, action plans and principles to be adopted by the board to guide future direction.
“This is the best turnout since I’ve been around for a PUD meeting, and it’s great to see your interest,” Montague told the audience.
Speaking afterward, Riazzi thanked everyone who attended on behalf of the board and encouraged people to attend future meetings. Those unable to attend can listen to a recording of the meeting on the PUD Web site, www.chelanpud.org, and see slides that were presented.
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Wednesday’s meeting was adjourned and continued to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24, at the Enzian Inn in Leavenworth when commissioners will attend an Energy Northwest dinner meeting. The next regular meeting of the PUD commission is at 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28, 2006, in the boardroom at 327 N. Wenatchee Ave.
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