Your PUD News Release

Rebuilding 1930s-era power line will maintain reliable service

Chelan County PUD
News Release
2/22/2010

With an eye on its priority of ensuring reliable electric service, Chelan County PUD moved closer to replacing a section of power line built in the 1930s that carries electricity from a switchyard near Rock Island Dam to downtown Wenatchee.

PUD commissioners Monday approved hiring HDR Engineering of Billings, Mont., to design the new 10-mile stretch of line, one of two that carry high-voltage power from the McKenzie Switchyard south of Malaga to the Wenatchee Substation on Columbia Street. The cost for HDR’s design work was set not to exceed $240,000. The total cost of rebuilding the line is estimated at $5.6 million.

Gary Rice, project manager, said plans call for all the original cedar power poles to be replaced with steel poles and new high-voltage conductor installed. As design progresses, the PUD plans to start ordering the specialized materials needed for the project this fall to be ready for construction in 2011.

In other business, commissioners:

• Approved a contract amendment that assures the manufacturer will repair cracks found in seven generators at Rocky Reach Dam, which were refurbished between 2003 and 2007. Alstom Hydro US, Littleton, Colo., agreed the small cracks were caused by stress that exceeded contract specifications for the rotor “spiders” (spokes) on units C1-C7. The firm has already paid for and overseen temporary repairs to keep the units running. Final repairs will be complete by fall 2011. Alstom will repay the PUD for its costs, including hiring an engineering firm to review the fixes; provide new and extended warranties for the final repairs; and a $14 million guaranty for the work from its parent company.

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The March 1, 2010, regular PUD commission meeting is canceled. The next regular PUD commission meeting is at 1 p.m. on March 8, 2010, in the PUD 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
Chelan County PUD
Wenatchee, WA
(509) 661-4320, office
(509) 679-6858, mobile
kimberlee.craig@chelanpud.org