Your PUD News Release
PUD conservation effort is on target
Chelan County PUD
News Release
4/26/2010
Customers are responding enthusiastically to PUD conservation incentives this year, and Chelan County PUD is confident it will be able to meet its 2010-2011 target for energy savings as required by Initiative 937.
Industrial customers are looking for help with efficient lighting and other ways to save energy. Residential customers are picking up free compact fluorescent light bulbs from the PUD and taking advantage of financial incentive payments for installing energy-efficient windows and insulation.
John Stoll, Customer Services director, told PUD commissioners Monday that the PUD is projecting energy savings by the end of this year of about 1.8 average megawatts – more than half the 3 megawatt target for 2010-2011. Stoll said being ahead this year means achieving the rest of the goal next year will be easier. Under I-937, utilities face possible fines if they fail to achieve energy conservation targets.
A new conservation target will then be established for the next biennium, partly based on a regional goal set by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Every megawatt saved by Chelan PUD is a benefit because it reduces the possible need to buy energy during low-water periods and makes available more PUD energy to sell on the open market – thereby lowering pressure on local rates. At an average residential rate of 3.4 cents per kilowatt hour (including a temporary surcharge), Chelan PUD has the second lowest rates in the nation. The regional average is more than 8 cents per kwh.
In other business, commissioners:
- Heard that Chelan County PUD is once again designated a 2009 Tree Line USA utility by the state Department of Natural Resources for the PUD’s quality tree-care program that features pruning programs near power lines, education on planting the right tree in the right place and tree-planting programs such as Arbor Day. Tree management helps keep the PUD highly reliable in delivering power to customers.
- Were told that the PUD received an award Monday as one of several Outstanding Stewards of America’s Waters from the National Hydropower Association in Washington, D.C. The award honored the PUD’s Chelan River habitat restoration and enhancement work as part of the newly relicensed Lake Chelan Hydro Project.
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The next regular commission meeting is at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 3, 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.
Steve Lachowicz
Communications director
509-661-4639, direct line
509-679-0148, cell
steve.lachowicz@chelanpud.org