Your PUD
News Release
Commissioners approve land swap for new substation
Chelan County PUD
News Release
8/6/2007
PUD commissioners Monday approved an exchange of 0.23 acres of surplus PUD land for a 1.08-acre parcel of city of Wenatchee land that will accommodate a larger electrical substation to serve growth in the riverfront area.
A decision on the land exchange was delayed last week after Commissioner Werner Janssen moved to make the exchange contingent on having the city and the owners of the Ninth Street trailer park find new homes for trailer park residents who will be displaced by development of a new road through the riverfront area. Janssen, who participated in the meeting by telephone from out of town, on Monday said that the PUD needs to start considering the social impacts of its decisions.
After hearing Commission President Norm Gutzwiler remind them of the PUD’s mission to provide utility products and services at low cost consistent with a high level of quality, reliability and customer satisfaction, PUD commissioners voted 3-1 against adding any contingency to the land exchange. Janssen was the vote in favor.
Wenatchee Mayor Dennis Johnson explained to the board how the city had been working with the PUD for two to three years on the land exchange that would accommodate the larger substation and improve the housing density in the area as called for in the Growth Management Act. He pointed out that finding new homes for the trailer park residents was a separate issue from going ahead with the land swap.
Commissioners heard from Northwest Justice Project attorney Hans Slette and concerned citizen Joe Morrison, who both asked commissioners to recognize the hardship facing the displaced residents.
After brief discussion, commissioners approved the land exchange on a 4-0 vote.
In other business, PUD commissioners:
- Received a mid year report on PUD resources and finances from Executive Manager of Energy Resources Randy Lowe and Chief Financial Officer Joe Jarvis. Lowe reported that the PUD is having a good year so far in wholesale sales, and he cautioned that Chelan County is lucky to be having an average water year. Most of the West is experiencing lower-than-average water, including the Snake River Basin, just 500 miles away. Lowe and Jarvis projected that year-end surplus power-sales revenues could be between $64 and $76 million, about double what was budgeted. If Snake River conditions had hit the Columbia, sales may have only been about $27 million. Jarvis told commissioners that the extra funds would be used for projects like tree trimming that were postponed when the PUD expected less water. The funds will also cover items not anticipated in 2007, like diesel fuel to power Stehekin during repairs, the Cashmere electric system purchase and the Walla Walla Substation relocation.
- Heard the PUD plans to submit the Lake Chelan Hydro Project for green power certification by the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI).
- Canceled the Aug. 20 board meeting.
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PUD Commission meetings are set next week to discuss potential rate increases:
- Aug. 13 - 5:30 p.m., Wenatchee PUD auditorium, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee
- Aug. 14 – 5:30 p.m., Chelan City Hall, 135 East Johnson, Chelan
- Aug. 15 – 5:30 p.m., Leavenworth PUD office, 222 Chumstick Highway, Leavenworth
Most PUD commission meetings are recorded, and a link to the audio is available on the PUD’s web site at www.chelanpud.org.
Christy Shearer
Communications Audio-visual Specialist
Chelan County PUD
509.661.4258 office
509.421.4258 cell
509.661.8133 fax
christy.shearer@chelanpud.org