Your PUD News Release
PUD to move forward on water storage analysis
Chelan County PUD
News Release
11/9/2009
Chelan County PUD commissioners Monday authorized General Manager Rich Riazzi to sign an agreement in principle with the Washington State Department of Ecology that will clarify how feasibility studies for potential water storage opportunities would be paid for and how projects will be studied.
Commissioners heard last week that ideas include looking at pumped-storage projects and at the possibility of raising the water level behind Rocky Reach Dam as much as three feet. Any proposed pool raise or water-storage project would go through 5-to 10 years of study and public discussion and would need approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Additional information is available on the PUD Web site, www.chelanpud.org, under “water storage studies.”
In other business, PUD commissioners:
- Were told that with a dry and warmer than normal summer, the PUD now expects a loss of $21 million in Utility Services net assets by year’s end –a slight increase from the $18-$20 million previously forecast. John Janney, chief financial officer and chief risk officer, said under expected conditions, the PUD could also face losses of $9 million in 2010 and $6 million in 2011. Janney said it would be prudent to keep PUD cash reserves above $200 million, as they are now. The final hearing on the 2010 budget will be Nov. 30.
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The next regular meeting of the PUD commission will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16, in the boardroom at PUD headquarters, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave.
Commissioners will meet with members of the Peshastin-Dryden Customer Partnership Group at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Icicle Ridge Winery; and with the Cashmere Customer Partnership Group at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the Cashmere Riverside Center, 201 Riverside Drive.
Most PUD commission meetings are recorded, and a link to the audio is available on the PUD’s home page at www.chelanpud.org.
Christy Shearer
Deputy Public Information Officer
Chelan County PUD
(509) 661-4258 office
(509) 421-4258 cell
(509) 661-8117 fax
christy.shearer@chelanpud.org