Your PUD

Welcome to Chelan County PUD’s ongoing discussion of sustainability, the topic that has us thinking about how to meet today’s needs and still provide for coming  generations. In the following pages, you will find:

• A working definition of sustainability
• An explanation of why the PUD finds it important
• A list of fundamental principles that guide PUD actions
• A report that describes accomplishments by the PUD related to each of the guiding principles, actions to be taken this year and possible steps for the future

We expect this focus on sustainability activities will be a growing, evolving pursuit that changes as conditions shift, as information is gathered and as regulations emerge and influence the global approach to sustainability in its various forms.

At Chelan County PUD, this effort took shape in 2007 when an internal team defined sustainability, gathered background on PUD activities and listed potential actions that would support a set of sustainability principles. The team became a formal working group with blessings by the general manager and Executive Team and met for the first time in April 2008. It has met periodically since then to track progress and establish priorities for new work.

The working group has agreed that a methodical, steady approach to the project is best, defining and fixing first the most obvious gaps between existing conditions and the PUD’s sustainability principles. The first targeted gaps in 2008 related to:

• energy efficiency at the Headquarters building complex 
• internal recycling programs

Work continues in those areas, as well as:

• exploring more efficient water use for hatcheries, parks, buildings, etc.
• office efficiency in paper use, printing, etc.

Divisions throughout the PUD can expect to be involved in developing fixes. We encourage broad feedback and discussion of these principles and activities.