News
Latest updates from the campaign:
Energy efficient upgrades are playing a critical role in keeping the Northwest’s power grid balanced
Check out this Oregon Public Broadcasting coverage of the 2023 Regional Conservation Progress survey. The region saved 160 average megawatts of energy because of energy efficiency in 2023, according to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Half of that was in the commercial sector, with 26% in the industrial sector, 19% in residential, and 5% in agriculture. Since 1980, the Northwest has achieved 7865 aMW of cost-effective energy conservation savings, which is almost 2.9 times the generation of Grand Coulee Dam! Conservation not only saves individual customers money on their power bills, but it helps keep costs down for all customers. Okanogan PUD customers can access incentives for energy efficient upgrades here.
BPA's New Load and Resource Study Shows Energy Deficits Starting in 2027 and Growing Rapidly in Low Water Years
The Pacific Northwest will experience rapidly escalating energy deficits under low water conditions, according to the Bonneville Power Administration's latest Pacific Northwest Loads and Resources Study—commonly called the White Book—that was released Sept. 9. The study projects regional energy shortfalls beginning in 2027 and steadily climbing before reaching 2,738 MW by 2034. The study highlights the need for new long-term energy resources to meet load growth in the region, and the pressures facing hydropower as climate conditions change.
New round of federal grants injects billions into rural renewable energy projects
NCW News reports on a new round of federal funding and its focus on communities across the country with fewer than 10,000 residents. The funds come from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, part of the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas program. Ferry County PUD accessed a $5 million grant to connect about 135-190 homes to the grid for the first time, extending 30 miles of underground electric distribution lines. The service area includes parts of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and other tribal members who live off the reservation. The underground lines will prevent power outages from things like falling tree limbs or wildfires. The grant also will help upgrade one of the rural area’s substations, which will help make the grid more resilient.
Data centers guzzle power, threatening WA’s clean energy push
This article in The Seattle Times is the first in a planned series investigating data centers in Washington. The sharp rise in power demand from data centers is driving up power rates in Grant county, and throughout central Washington.
FAQ: I'm an OCEC customer - why should I care about the PUD?
I, myself, am a PUD customer. However, this is a common question I get from folks in the Methow Valley who are served by the Okanogan County Electric Cooperative, but also live and vote in Okanogan PUD District #2. Here are nine reasons I think you should care about the PUD, even if you aren't a PUD electric customer:
- OCEC uses the PUD’s infrastructure to deliver power to parts of its service territory. The costs of using this infrastructure are baked into your rates.
- OCEC relies on the PUD’s equipment and mutual aid to respond to outages, and support other field operations.
- The PUD owns the backbone fiber optic network that serves Twisp, and provides access to its network to Methownet.
- The PUD owns transmission and distribution infrastructure in the Methow Valley and is responsible for managing its operations during extreme weather events. When fire risk is high, the PUD’s operational decisions can impact all of us.
- The PUD provides essential services in the Methow Valley and county-wide that all residents rely on and benefit from - hospitals, emergency response, irrigation pumping, frost protection, etc. If you use any of these services (or if you enjoy eating delicious produce from Okanogan county farmers) you should care about keeping PUD power reliable and affordable.
- It is important for the PUD and the coop to have a good relationship. The PUD is much larger than the coop. If there ever are conflicts between the PUD and the coop, it is important to have a PUD Commissioner who cares about the interests of coop members. That is why you are in District #2 and get to vote for PUD Commissioner.
- PUDs have much broader legal authority than electric cooperatives under Washington state law. The coop is a private nonprofit (RCW 23.86), whereas the PUD is a division of local government (Title 54 RCW). The PUD has the powers of eminent domain and condemnation. The PUD could also decide in the future to get into any number of new lines of business - retail internet, renewable natural gas, irrigation and water, sewage, thermal energy, etc. If Okanogan PUD ever considers providing these other services, you have a say.
- PUD Commissioners and management participate in a number of associations and boards which exercise influence over state and federal policies that affect all residents, and make other decisions that have broad public impact, including Washington PUD Association and Energy Northwest. As an Okanogan PUD constituent, you are represented by Okanogan PUD in these venues.
- As a member of this community, you probably have friends who are PUD customers.
Primary Election Update!
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US and Canada reach agreement in principle on Columbia River Treaty
Under the agreement announced by the Biden Administration on Thursday, the U.S. will immediately reduce by 37 percent the amount of Columbia Basin hydropower it delivers to Canada, with further cuts amounting to 50 percent by 2033. While the full details of the agreement are still under review, this cut to the "Canadian Entitlement" will ensure that more of the energy benefits of the Federal Columbia River Power System remain available to customers in the Northwest.
State grant to fund Twisp Civic Building solar array
Congratulations to the Town of Twisp for securing a $1.1 million Community Decarbonization grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce! The grant will fund the installation of solar panels paired with battery storage on the Twisp Civic Building and Emergency Operations Center. Twisp was one of 71 grant recipients of a total of $72.6 million from the state’s Climate Commitment Act, a carbon cap-and-invest initiative that funds renewable energy projects in overburdened communities.
Chelan, Douglas and Grant county PUDs sue Bonneville Power and U.S. Army Corps over Columbia River Treaty delays, overpayment
Last week, the Mid-Columbia PUDs sued the Federal agencies for failure to act on their request to clarify what will happen after Sept. 15th, when the Columbia River Treaty expires. This article in the Wenatchee World (subscription required) explains why the renegotiation of the Columbia River Treaty is critically important for Northwest hydropower.
Researchers analyzing sediment estimates at Enloe Dam
Marcy Stamper’s article in the Methow Valley News last week covers the recent update on the feasibility study for removal of Enloe Dam in Oroville. Consultants leading the study are working to develop an accurate estimate of amount of sediment behind the dam and evaluate three alternatives to dam removal. Trout Unlimited and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation received a $2.31-million grant to conduct the study and are jointly managing the analysis, which is expected to be completed and submitted to the PUD in Feb. 2025. The report will inform the Okanogan PUD Commission’s decision about whether to proceed with design and permitting for dam removal in 2025. The full update can be found here.
July Campaign Update
Summer is here and our campaign is in full swing! July will be a busy month as we approach the August 6th primary. If you haven’t already, make sure to follow us on Facebook for more updates and don’t forget to share our page with your network!
We have yard signs! Request yours here! We also need volunteers to help distribute signs. If you’re interested, sign up here or send us a message on Facebook.
Events
Let’s hang out and talk about the PUD! Join us for Meet & Greet Events in the Lower and Upper Methow Valley:
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Lower Valley: Monday, July 8th 5:00-6:00, Methow Community Club (behind the Fire Station, Town of Methow)
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Upper Valley: Thursday, July 18th 5:00pm - 6:00 pm, Mazama Community Club
Canvass with me! I’ll be canvassing at the Twisp Fourth of July Parade and Methow Arts Fest. We’ll be canvassing throughout the district in July. To join me, and receive notifications of future canvassing events, sign up here.
Save the Date! I’ll be at the Twisp Valley Grange Candidate Forum on Monday, July 22nd. Doors open at 6:00pm, forum starts at 6:30! Check the Twisp Valley Grange website for more information closer to the event.
Voting Information
Mark your calendars! Ballots go out starting July 19th. There are FOUR candidates running for Okanogan PUD Commissioner District #2. If you live in the Methow Valley, Pateros, Brewster, Okanogan, your vote will determine the top two candidates to advance to the county-wide general election in November. Don't forget - if you are an Okanogan County Electric Cooperative customer, you still get to vote for PUD Commissioner!
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July 19th: Ballots in the mail.
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July 29th: Last day to return electronic or mail-in voter registration
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August 6th: Primary Election and last day to register to vote in-person at the Okanogan County Elections Office
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November 5th: General Election (top two candidates from the Primary)
June Campaign Update
About our campaign: I'm running for Okanogan PUD Commissioner because I think it's time for a change. For decades, Okanogan County’s been relying on others for our energy. We don’t generate any of our own power. This means we are subject to rate increases and power shortages that are outside our control.
Even after spending millions to expand high-speed internet, too many of our PUD customers still can’t get connected. We pay higher rates than others around here but get less in return.
We deserve better.
The Okanogan PUD Commission is a nonpartisan board that makes critical decisions that affect our homes and businesses. As commissioner, I’ll push for solutions that truly benefit our PUD customers, keep our energy reliable and affordable, and get more folks connected to the high-speed internet they need.
Here are my priorities:
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Ensure reliable energy: We shouldn’t keep paying more for energy that is less reliable and outside of our control. I will work to secure the energy resources we need for the future on our own terms.
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Preserve affordability: As a working mom, I feel how the rising cost of living impacts families. Too many people in our community work hard, but still struggle to pay their bills. I commit to stronger oversight of the PUD’s budget and programs, and will work with community based organizations to help PUD customers save money on their energy bills.
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Invest in our communities: If elected, I will work to create energy and construction jobs here in Okanogan County making our grid more efficient and resilient to wildfires, securing the energy resources we need to thrive, and helping customers make energy improvements to their homes and businesses.
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Connect people to high-speed internet: We shouldn’t have to choose between outdated technology and unaffordable costs to connect. As commissioner, I will work with internet service providers to connect more people to the PUD’s high-speed network, and access state and federal funds to expand access in unserved and underserved areas.
Mark your calendars! We have a four-way race for Okanogan PUD Commissioner District #2! This means we’ll have a district-wide primary election in August. Our district stretches from the Methow to the Okanogan - from Pateros to Mazama, Brewster to Okanogan, and everywhere in between. If you live in the district, here are the key dates:
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July 19th: Ballots in the mail.
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July 29th: Last day to return electronic or mail-in voter registration
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August 6th: Primary Election and last day to register to vote in-person at the Okanogan County Elections Office
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November 5th: General Election (top two candidates from the Primary)
Yard signs are coming! Thanks to your generous contributions and the help of talented and creative volunteers, we believe we will have the BEST yard signs you will see this campaign season… Get yours starting Monday! Request a yard sign here.
BPA projects $280M loss: Drought, extreme weather hit Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) revenues
This article in the Columbian discusses how extreme weather and drought are affecting the federal hydropower system. Okanogan PUD receives about two-thirds of our power supply from the federal system. Revenue losses of this magnitude will increase power rates. Our PUD needs a strategy to preserve affordable and reliable energy services, or else we will be stuck paying more for energy that is less reliable.
Washington State Commerce Department Awards $40 million grants for local electrification efforts.
Last week, the Washington state Department of Commerce announced awards of nearly $40 million to projects and programs that promote high-efficiency electric equipment. Recipients of the funds include Grant County PUD ($1.1 million) and the City of Chewelah ($1 million). Opportunities like these could help people in Okanogan county save money on our utility bills.