Your PUD Message from the Commissioners

Remember the unsung heroes ... our line crews

By Randy Smith, PUD Commissioner

5/6/2010

While we commissioners normally spend most of our time dealing with budgets, staffing levels, bond ratings, regulatory issues, water flows and electricity prices, I would like to talk briefly about another issue that sometimes doesn’t get discussed. That’s because our utility has done such a good job of dealing with it. That subject is the reliability of our electrical power. Yes, we occasionally have power outages, normally caused by foul weather (wind and snow are the main culprits), but for the most part service is restored rapidly and very professionally.

On April 8, I had the opportunity to spend a good part of the day with a line crew (my feet remaining planted firmly on the ground during the entire time) working on a project to ensure the reliability of power to the Alcoa works. This project, replacing a ground wire on the transmission towers high above Rocky Reach Dam, was anything but normal.

For those who watch the weather much, April 8 was one of those days that started clear, calm and in the 30s and went downhill from there. We had a mixture of snow, hail, sleet, rain and howling winds to deal with. Since these transmission towers are located on the steep hillside above the dam on the Douglas County side, there was no mechanized option available to the crew, and they had to climb the steel towers to the top (we used four-wheelers on narrow switchback roads to access the towers), and work through it all. Ryan McGregor, the crew foreman, explained to me that one of the things they always have to be aware of is the potential for the ground wire to be charged with several thousand volts via induction, due to the high voltage carried on the transmission lines. High humidity (rain and snow) make this problem even worse. Thus the ground wire was treated just as carefully as if it were charged with several thousand volts. Through all of this, I was continually impressed with the knowledge, professionalism and commitment of the seven guys working nonstop. The pride in a job well done was obvious.

While I have always had the utmost respect for the job our line crews do, following that day I have a renewed appreciation for all the challenges they face. The next time my lights go out for a short time I will definitely be reminded that the crews are out there doing their very best to make sure my inconvenience is kept to a minimum … and I will say thank you … even if they’re not nearby. I hope you will join me.