...a community-owned and governed utility, created to provide safe, reliable and cost-based electric and wholesale telecommunication services...
P.O. BOX 2148
SHELTON, WA 98584
SHELTON, WA 98584
(360) 426-8255
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Mason PUD News
PUD 3 Commission Report for July 6, 2010
Meeting Highlights
- Addendum to a call for bids for Harstene Pointe South underground power line rebuild
- Energy Northwest halts endeavor to use stimulus funds for Packwood hydroelectric project
- Commission defers on resolution request regarding wood-powered electric plant near Shelton
Consent Agenda
Mason County PUD No. 3 Commissioners approved vouchers in the amount of $668,954.
Comments from the Public
Louis Cofoni of Shelton commented on a newspaper article detailing electricity generation from nuclear power in the United States. He noted that the US gets about 15 percent of its electricity from nuclear, compared to France, which has nearly 80 percent from nuclear. Commissioner Bruce Jorgenson stated that modular nuclear generators, in the 40 megawatt range, have been discussed as a way to decentralize power production and reduce electricity transmission congestion.
Action Items
Commissioners approved a staff recommendation to issue an addendum to a call for bids (L3-2010) for the Hartstene Pointe South underground residential distribution rebuild and fiber conduit installation. The change clarifies the amount of four-inch conduit that is necessary for the project. It also revises the engineer’s estimate by approximately $52,000.
Staff Reports
Matt Samuelson, assistant power supply manager, reported that Energy Northwest (ENW) will be unable to use stimulus funds to upgrade the Packwood hydroelectric project in east Lewis County. ENW was in line to obtain $800,000 for the $1.6 million dollars needed to improve the generating capacity of the hydro turbine at the facility. Samuelson cited the inability of ENW to find a US manufacturer that could guarantee the required five percent efficiency improvement in the rebuild. US manufactured equipment is also a requirement of the stimulus funding.
The hydroelectric project has a generating capacity of 27.5 megawatts, which is enough energy for nearly 6,000 homes.
Samuelson further reported PUD 3 submitted a request to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) for transmission services to bring the PUD’s share of the Packwood project’s output to local customers. The PUD has a ten percent share in the plant’s output. That would be in the range of one average megawatt, or enough to power about 600 homes.
Discussion Items
Commissioners discussed a request from the Mason County Democrats to consider adopting a resolution related to a proposed wood-fired power plant near Shelton. The resolution would ask elected officials to postpone any final decisions for the project until it meets or exceeds state and federal standards for environmental quality.
Commissioner Jorgenson stated that PUD 3 was not a permitting agency; suggested that the Democrats be thanked for the request; but that the board not take action on the matter.
The commission directed staff to draft a response.
Next Meeting
The next PUD 3 commission meeting takes place July 13, 2010 at 10:00 AM in the PUD auditorium at 307 West Cota Street in Shelton.