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PUD 3 Commission Cancels March 23 meeting

The Mason County PUD No. 3 Board of Commissioners has canceled its March 23 regular business meeting.

The Board of Commissioners will conduct its next regular business meeting at 10:00 a.m., March 30, 2009 in the PUD 3 auditorium at 307 West Cota Street in Shelton.

The March 16 regular business meeting will still be held on schedule.

March 18 – Planned Power Outage on Mikkelson Road for New Service Installation

Mason County PUD No. 3 has announced that there will be a planned power outage the morning of Thursday, March 18 that will affect about 17 customers on the Mikkelson Road.

The outage is necessary for PUD 3 to install a new service on Mikkelson Road. The project is expected to begin at 11:00 a.m. on the 18th and last approximately three hours.

Letters are being sent to customers affected by the project.

As with any outage, the PUD recommends that sensitive electronic appliances and equipment be turned off and unplugged until power is restored for at least 20 minutes.

If customers have any questions, they may call Bob Smith, Operations Manager at (360) 426-8255, extension 5268 or Scott Peterson, Shelton Line Superintendent at (360) 426-8255, extension 3233.

PUD 3 to Conduct Tree Trimming on Cougar Smith and Muller Road

PUD 3 to Conduct Tree Trimming on Cougar Smith and Muller Road. - Project Begins March 15, 2010.

Mason County PUD No. 3 will be conducting a four to six-week tree trimming project on the Cougar Smith and Muller Roads west of Shelton beginning March 15. Letters have been sent to customers affected by this project.

The work will include tree trimming and removal. Motorists may experience some traffic delays from time to time during these efforts.

Tree trimming and vegetation management are tasks that minimize the loss of power and speed up restoration of electricity during outages.

PUD 3 has 670 miles of overhead power lines in its service area that need to be protected from tree limbs and overgrown vegetation. Working on a six-year cycle, the PUD has a goal of clearing approximately 100 miles of right of way each year.

If property owners have power lines that run through their property, they are asked to consider if there are any danger trees that could potentially fall into the lines and contact PUD 3 if they have any concerns. If homeowners have questions about appropriate trees and the tree trimming program, they may contact PUD 3 in Shelton: (360) 426-8255, extension 3237 or at extension 5268.

Shelton Winery (Walter Dacon) Says Twitter Has Boosted Business

Shelton Winery (Walter Dacon) Says Twitter Has Boosted Business (Video – KIRO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/video/22780889/index.html

PUD 3 Fiber Network - Economic Development Rides Light Waves on Lynch Road (Mason County PUD 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=610

March 8 – Power Line Replacement Project for Brewer Road and Nordquist Road

Mason County PUD No. 3 has announced that work will begin 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 8 to replace underground and overhead power lines in the Brewer Road and Nordquist Road area.

The project will that will last for approximately four weeks and may affect up to 32 customers with brief interruptions of power.

If customers have any questions, they may call Bob Smith, Operations Manager at (360) 426-8255, extension 5268.

PUD 3 Commission Report for March 2, 2010

Meeting Highlights

PUD 3 in talks for wind power from Klickitat County; solar energy from Central Washington and SE Oregon
PUD 3 pleased with $84 million federal stimulus grant for Washington State broadband initiative
Telecommunications manager receives Economic Development Council award

Consent Agenda

Mason County PUD No. 3 Commissioners approved vouchers in the amount of $468,847.

Action Items

Commissioners authorized a nearly $1,700 billing adjustment for a contractor doing work for the Washington State Department of Corrections at an address on Sand Hill Road near Belfair. The adjustment fixes a problem related to the way in which the meter was installed.

Commissioners authorized an increased payment of $6,000 for the purchase of a cab and chassis for the replacement of one of the PUD 3 trucks. The increased cost was due to a change in emission equipment between the time of the order and the availability of the vehicle. The total purchase amount is $72,340 plus tax.

Staff Reports

Matt Samuelson, assistant power supply manager, reported that the PUD is in talks with Lakeview Light and Power of Lakewood regarding the purchase of electricity from the White Creek wind farm in Klickitat County. The PUD is seeking 3.22 megawatts of capacity from the wind farm, which would be enough electricity to power nearly 400 homes.

Samuelson also said that staff may have recommendations soon on potential participation in two solar power projects: one in southeast Oregon and another in central Washington.

Dale Knutson, telecommunications manager, reported on an $84 million federal broadband stimulus grant awarded to the Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet). The award is part of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

The undertaking will involve a three year construction project of over 800 miles of fiber optic cable and electronics to provide high capacity broadband access. The total cost of the project is $106M which includes monetary and in-kind contributions. A minimum of a gigabit per second of broadband will be available to retail service providers to create new markets for business, rural citizens and improve Internet and broadband capabilities into libraries, medical and education centers, government and public safety agencies.

Although Mason County PUD No. 3 is not directly involved in the project to be funded by the federal grant, Mason County will see some benefits. They include a beefed up NoaNet network that will provide greater access for rural hospitals to a regional health network; and data and high speed internet services for libraries, community colleges, governmental agencies and tribal service centers. Timberland Regional Library in Belfair and William G. Reed Library in Shelton will be connected to the new facilities as part of the Washington State LibraryNet.

Wyla Wood, PUD 3 manager, presented Knutson with an award from the Economic Development Council of Mason County for his department’s work with Lynch Road businesses, the county commission and others to extend the PUD fiber optic network to that area. Knutson gave praise to the organized citizens who worked hard to make sure that the project moved forward.

Next Meeting

The next PUD 3 commission meeting takes place March 9, 2010 at 10:00 AM in the PUD auditorium at 307 West Cota Street in Shelton.

NoaNet Awarded $84 Million Broadband Stimulus Grant

The Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet) announced today that it is the lead entity of a consortium that has been awarded an $84M federal broadband stimulus grant.

Read the story here: $84 Million Grant To Expand Internet in Washington (US Department of Commerce)

And here: NoaNet awarded $84M BTOP grant from NTIA to expand broadband access to the rural unserved and underserved areas in Washington State (Northwest Open Access Network)

Although Mason County PUD No. 3 will not be directly involved in the implementation of the project, it is one of the 12 public utility districts that make up the membership of NoaNet.

PUD 3 to Conduct Tree Trimming on Highway 302

Mason County PUD No. 3 will be conducting a four to six-week tree trimming project on Highway 302 near Belfair beginning March 1.

The work will include tree trimming and removal. Motorists may experience some traffic delays from time to time during these efforts. Letters have been sent to customers along the route.

Tree trimming and vegetation management are tasks that minimize the loss of power and speed up restoration of electricity during outages.

If property owners have power lines that run through their property, they are asked to consider if there are any danger trees that could potentially fall into the lines and contact PUD 3 if they have any concerns. If homeowners have questions about appropriate trees and the tree trimming program, they may contact the Belfair Line Superintendent Mike Speaks at (360) 275-2833, extension 3237 or Operations Manager Bob Smith at extension 5268.

PUD 3 Commission Report for February 23, 2010

Meeting Topics

Radar Ridge wind farm plans progressing
PUD 3 reviewing impacts of Highway 3 project in Belfair
Routine federal audit on transmission reliability pending; PUD remains opposed to its classification
2012 wholesale rate case with Bonneville Power Administration opens soon

Consent Agenda

Mason County PUD No. 3 Commissioners approved payment of vouchers in the amount of $1 million. Commissioner Tom Farmer noted that all vouchers and financial information presented in the consent agenda are audited and reviewed by PUD 3 accountants prior to review and approval by the commissioners.

Comments from the Public

Shelton resident Louis Cofoni declared that economic development in the Johns Prairie area is a combined responsibility of not one, but a number of local entities, including the City of Shelton, Mason County, Port of Shelton and Mason County PUD No. 3. Based on statements that nearly 30% of the Mason County workforce commutes out of the area for jobs, Cofoni said that a campaign to create job opportunities is needed. He cited a news article in the “Olympian” about the ADAGE biomass power plant that shows the community is being recognized as a forward-thinking community.

Staff Reports

Jay Himlie, power supply manager, stated that his staff will be requesting a future workshop with the PUD 3 commission to ask for guidance on prospective renewable energy opportunities

Matt Samuelson, assistant power supply management, reported that PUD 3 and other participating utilities seeking to build the Radar Ridge wind power project (near Naselle in Pacific County) are making progress. Samuelson said that state and federal agencies have asked for additional studies on the relationship between nearby marbled murrelets and the wind turbines to affirm previous findings that declared that the birds could coexist with the project. He said these studies may include more precise radar studies of bird flights in the area.

Joel Myer, public information and government relations manager, reported on recent meetings with local residents and representatives of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) regarding the proposed 1.5 mile SR3 improvement project in Belfair. Myer stated that WSDOT officials had presented plans that will require relocation of 40 of the 46 PUD poles in the project area, including many that carry transmission lines. He said that the PUD had been told that it would be expected that the relocation would be completed by June of 2011, with the other utilities required to finish their relocation by September 2011. Myer said staff has been communicating with other utilities, such as Qwest, Wave Broadband, Cascade Natural Gas, and the Belfair Water District.

Commissioner Farmer requested that local community groups, such as the North Mason Chamber of Commerce be kept informed about the issues involved in the state highway project.

Wyla Wood, PUD 3 manager, noted that the Western Electricity Coordinating Council will be auditing the PUD in the near future as to federally mandated reliability and reporting requirements.

Wood cited previous communications with the Washington State congressional delegation regarding what the PUD believes is an inappropriate application of federal jurisdiction over small utilities for bulk power system reliability.

The PUD is working with a specialist in the area of the federal reliability standards to prepare for the audit.

Editor’s Note: The PUD contends it was unfairly forced to register and comply with new reliability standards when:

The standards were to be developed for only the bulk power system.
By including distribution utilities in the registration and reliability requirements they are exposed to undue and unnecessary financial penalties and administrative burdens.
By definition in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the National Energy Reliability Corporation was not given the authority to include distribution facilities, and that distribution facilities are not part of the bulk power system.
There has been no proof provided, even upon request, that as a distribution utility PUD 3 has the potential to affect the bulk power system.
Inclusion of distribution utilities with characteristics of PUD 3 that have no ability to affect bulk power system reliability.

Wood reported that the kickoff for a wholesale rate case with the Bonneville Power Administration will take place in several weeks. This will work through issues on new rates that will go into effect with the federal government’s 2012 fiscal year, which begins in October 2011.

Wood noted in her report that the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) turned down a request by the Squaxin Island Tribe to close the Johns Creek basin to new water use. She said that the DOE is seeking an agreement with Mason County to ensure new wells put to use near Johns Creek serve in-home uses only.

The PUD received notice from Mason County of a rescheduled date for a presubmission meeting with representatives from ADAGE regarding a biomass power plant in the Johns Prairie area. The meeting will take place Wednesday, March 10 at 9:30 AM at the county’s public works facility on Highway 101 north of Shelton.

Next Meeting

The next PUD 3 commission meeting takes place March 2, 2010 at 10:00 AM in the PUD auditorium at 307 West Cota Street in Shelton.

February 26 – Planned Power Outage for Jared Lane Area

Mason County PUD No. 3 has announced that there will be a planned power outage the morning of Friday, February 26 that will affect approximately 38 customers in the Jared Lane area of Harstine Island.

The outage is necessary to allow for PUD 3 to upgrade equipment in the area, which will result in improved system reliability and safety.

The planned outage will begin at 9:00 a.m on the 26th, and is expected to last about three hours. Letters of notification have been sent to customers in the project area.

Specific areas affected by the project include:

Jared Road

Jordal Place

Nicole Lane

Barngrover Place

Cook Drive

Cook Place

Hedlund Drive

Latham Lane

Thors Place

Seapenn Lane

While the project is underway motorists may experience occasional traffic delays.

As with any outage, the PUD recommends that sensitive electronic appliances and equipment be turned off and unplugged until power is restored for at least 20 minutes.

If customers have any questions, they may call Bob Smith, Operations Manager at (360) 426-8255, extension 5268 or Scott Peterson at (360) 426-8255, extension 3233.