Your PUD All News Releases
All news releases are provided back through 2005 with a few older news releases also available on the Internet. If you are looking for older news releases that are not here, please contact us for assistance.
12/5/2011 - 2012 budget keeps PUD finances on track
Commission meeting news. Other topics: Conservation targets
11/21/2011 - Conservation savings expected to exceed two-year target
Commission meeting news. Other topics: Fiber strategic planning; paperless billing; security services; Salmon Festival.
11/18/2011 - Now’s the time to prepare for storm-caused power outages
High winds and heavy snowfall can send trees into power lines and cause damage to poles.
11/7/2011 - Savings from refinancing bonds keeps PUD on path to meet financial objectives
Commission meeting news. Other topics: 2012 budget; telecom authority; special meetings.
10/25/2011 - Rocky Reach Visitor Center wraps up successful season on Oct. 31
More than 60,000 people visited Rocky Reach Dam and Visitor Center this year an increase of about 10,000 from 2010, due in part to the 50th birthday celebration for the dam held last June.
10/20/2011 - Manson area road closure needed for PUD transmission linework
Chelan County PUD crews will be replacing an 82-foot pole for a transmission line in the Manson area on Tuesday, Oct. 25, and two roadswill need to be closed most of the day.
10/17/2011 - New approach on rates will lower bills for most residential customers
Commission meeting news. Other topics: bond refinancing; new sockeye hatchery
10/12/2011 - Chelan PUD rate change set for final hearing
Another opportunity for public comment is coming up at 1 p.m. on Oct. 17.
10/7/2011 - Lake Chelan Community Meeting
Chelan residents invited to public meeting.
9/23/2011 - Where does Chelan PUD fit in the energy puzzle?
Pieces of the local and national power puzzle will be connected by two guest speakers at a free evening presentation at Wenatchee Valley College on Oct. 4 during Public Power Week.
9/19/2011 - Rocky Reach Dam achieves another fisheries milestone
Commission meeting news. Other topics: industrial rates.
9/9/2011 - PUD sending surplus vehicles, equipment to Sept. 22 auction
The PUD is among agencies sending items declared surplus to an auction by Chuck Yarbro Auctioneers starting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011, at Rocky Reach Dam.
9/6/2011 - Chelan PUD sets evening meetings to hear from public on rate reduction plan
Commission meeting news: Other topics, paperless billing, Commission meetings change to first and third Mondays.
8/22/2011 - Proposal drops PUD electric rates by 6.5 percent
Commission meeting news. Other topics: Resource$mart and white sturgeon eggs.
8/19/2011 - 75 years of public power: It’s something to sing about
As part of its 75th anniversary, the PUD is hosting an online sing-along to “Roll on Columbia,” written by Woody Guthrie.
8/12/2011 - Chelan PUD to distribute free energy-saving bulbs on Aug. 27
Customers can visit any PUD office in Wenatchee, Leavenworth or Chelan, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27 to receive a bag of 20 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
8/8/2011 - PUD finances continue to improve
Aug. 8 commission meeting news: Second-quarter financial results; investment report.
8/5/2011 - Mosquito control set for Confluence Wildlife Area Aug. 16-18
High river flows as this year’s near-record snowpack melts have contributed to a late-season increase in mosquitoes.
7/15/2011 - It’s Four for Four for SNAP
Clean, renewable solar, wind and hydropower are on deck when Chelan PUD’s SNAP program sponsors the Wenatchee AppleSox baseball game Friday, July 22.
7/13/2011 - See thousands of salmon a day at Rocky Reach Dam Visitor Center
Up to 5,000 adult sockeye and 1,000 adult Chinook salmon are moving past the dam daily on their way upstream to spawn
6/27/2011 - PUD earns national award for efforts to reduce truck emissions
Commission meeting news.
6/16/2011 - Celebrate 50 years of clean hydropower on June 30 at Rocky Reach Dam
Chelan County PUD is inviting the community to share in celebrating 50 years of clean, renewable, affordable hydropower at 7 p.m. on June 30 at the dam.
6/13/2011 - Efficiency, clarity are goals for Chelan PUD reorganization
The PUD has reorganized duties for eight senior managers who will report directly to General Manager John Janney.
6/6/2011 - Work by PUD’s own crews benefits Rock Island Dam upgrades
Commission meeting news. Other topics: Columbia River flows, Lake Chelan level.
6/6/2011 - Parking lot repairs will close trail to Hydro Park
For the safety of trail users, the section of the riverfront trail that runs from Third Street in East Wenatchee south along Highway 28 to the park is closed June 6-10.
6/2/2011 - Learning is free and fun at Rocky Reach Dam
It’s all about hands-on fun in these summer classes.
5/31/2011 - High flows prompt PUD warning for riverfront parks, docks, boat launches
High Columbia River flows have forced Chelan County PUD to close one boat launch until further notice, and the PUD is urging caution for anyone using its parks near the river.
5/23/2011 - Good market conditions, high ratings favor PUD refinancing effort
Commission meeting news. Other topics: insurance premiums.
5/23/2011 - Repairs will close 1-mile section of Loop Trail near Confluence State Park
Detour will guide trail users around the work May 25-June 3.
5/16/2011 - PUD will go high-tech to check transmission lines
Commission meeting news. Other topics: Lake Chelan level.
5/9/2011 - PUD finances are improving with tight rein on expenses; more surplus power to sell
Commission meeting news.
5/2/2011 - New power sales approach is putting PUD on track to meet revenue targets
Commission meeting news. Other topics: Bond ratings, Lake Chelan level, safety.
4/25/2011 - Changes in printed bills are first step toward offering paperless billing
Commission meeting news. Other topics: debt refinance, bond rating, Lake Chelan level.
4/22/2011 - Chelan PUD reports on its ‘triple bottom line’ results
New this year is a report on the environmental and social effects of the PUD’s wide-ranging programs.
4/18/2011 - PUD on track to reduce debt
Commission meeting news. Other topics: Runoff forecast; Alcoa tour.
4/15/2011 - PUD offering energy-saving tips at Earth Day events
In Wenatchee, Conservation staff will be at Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 23.
4/13/2011 - Long-awaited law adds protection for PUD on kayaking
Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law today an amendment to the state’s Recreational Use Statute that will protect Chelan County PUD from being held liable if kayakers are injured during trips through the Chelan River Gorge.
4/13/2011 - Record-setting March snowpack pushes runoff forecast to 115 percent of average
This is a dramatic increase over the March 1 Lake Chelan Basin runoff forecast of 82 percent of average.
4/11/2011 - Commissioners agree PUD should withdraw from fiber grant
Commission meeting news.
4/4/2011 - New system should make it faster, more efficient to inspect and track PUD vehicles
Commission meeting news. Other topics: Alcatel contract.
4/1/2011 - Celebrate Greater Wenatchee Arbor Day on April 16, 2011
Celebrate the power of trees at Arbor Day tree seedling distributions in six local communities on April 16.
3/28/2011 - Costlier fiber-optic connections can benefit from sharing costs with PUD
Commission meeting news. Other topics: Upper Salmon Recovery Board award; Alcoa tour.
3/21/2011 - PUD proposes sharing expense on costlier fiber connections
Commission meeting news. Other topics: Eastbank Hatchery improvements; Tri-Commission meeting; runoff forecast.
3/18/2011 - PUD website now offers translation into 57 languages
The service is free from Google and the translation link can be found at the bottom of every page of the site.
3/18/2011 - Phone survey will help PUD evaluate energy savings opportunities
Survey of 400 randomly selected PUD customers will begin the week of March 21.
3/14/2011 - Financial plan expected to reduce PUD debt faster
Commission meeting news. Other topics: Tree Line USA Award.
3/7/2011 - PUD has best year of conservation so far
Commission meeting news. Other topics: fiber update, kayaking.
3/4/2011 - PUD locks in more future revenue with another power auction
With another successful auction, the PUD locked in additional predictable revenue of $86.4 million from Nov. 1, 2011, through the end of 2015, in exchange for a share of future power produced by Rock Island and Rocky Reach dams.
3/4/2011 - Celebrate 50 years of clean hydropower with Rocky Reach Visitor Center
In 2011, Rocky Reach will celebrate its 50th birthday and the dam’s Visitor Center opens at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, to kick off the celebration.
3/3/2011 - Lake Chelan runoff forecast stays at 82 percent of average
Despite recent winter storms, snowpack continues to accumulate at a rate that is less than average.
2/25/2011 - Nonprofit concessionaire sought for Kirby Billingsley Hydro Park
The PUD Parks Department is looking for a local group that would like to raise money by running the concession stand.
2/22/2011 - PUD takes next steps to help Entiat develop riverfront
Commission meeting news. Other topics: Eagle Creek upgrades; juvenile sturgeon study; RUS grant fiber build-out .
2/14/2011 - 2010 still shows loss, but PUD finances on target looking forward
Commission meeting news. Other topics: Columbia River Treaty negotiations.
2/7/2011 - Commissioners recognize Rock Island Dam fish achievement
Commission meeting news. Other topics: rate changes, surcharge.
2/7/2011 - Chelan PUD announces changes in management
To restore full confidence in his management team as decisions are made about the future of the PUD’s fiber-optic system, General Manager John Janney announces changes.
2/4/2011 - Early forecast puts 2011 Lake Chelan runoff at 82 percent of average
Last year’s actual runoff from April 1 through July 31 was 101 percent of average.
1/24/2011 - Community invited to celebrate 75 years of public power
2011 is Rocky Reach Dam's 50th birthday, too.
1/24/2011 - Commissioners approve methods for prudent PUD reserves
Commission meeting news. Other news: fish survival studies; predator control.
1/17/2011 - Commissioners review steps for setting prudent amount of reserves
Commission meeting news. Other topics: legislative update; board Balanced Scorecard.
1/10/2011 - Commissioners hear good news on federal fees affecting PUD project lands
Commission meeting news: Other topics: fiber cable; board meeting recording policy.
1/3/2011 - Two PUD commissioners take oath for new terms
Commission meeting news.