We interrupt our discussion on the Legion Block to bring you and new topic.
Last week KAST reported that Clatsop County was holding a number of quiet discussions with various parties about the possibility of dumping Pacific Corp and going with the Clatskanie PUD.
This came up at the Astoria City Council meeting when the Pacific Power Regional Community Manager asked if anyone on the council had heard this as a rumor. She said she was trying to track it down and that her company had heard nothing from the county. It was surprising to discover that most of the council had heard about it. In fact Peter Roscoe said while he didn't know much about it yet he had been asked by one of the commissioners to sit on a citizens committee to explore the idea. Then City Manager Paul Benoit said that County Manager Duane Cole had recently paid him a visit to chat about the proposal. Benoit said that the county had approached some key power users for letters of support.
Today I discovered that Cole is moving even faster to secure the support of school districts who think it will save them money even though it doesn't look like there is much more than speculation involved with that conclusion.
Cole is saying that since Clatskanie PUD gets it's power from the Bonneville Power Administration it is coming from clean hydro power and not the coal burning plant Pacific Power uses. So it's greener and it's cheaper.
I'm all for paying less on fixed expenses like energy bills. I'm just a little concerned about whether there will be any actual savings involved. Pacific Power has made it clear that buying their infrastructure will be at current market rate because much of the system has been replaced since the 2007 storm. That's going to be a big number. I'm also concerned about how the Clatskanie PUD spends money after seeing the incredible headquarters building they just finished.
Then there is the question about reliability. What happens if we get slugged with a big storm or series of storms? Will the Clatskanie PUD be able to get to us? How long will it take to make repairs? In 2007 Pacific Power brought in teams of engineers and linemen from throughout the western states. Can the PUD do that?
I await the outcome of this rush to change something that isn't broken.
Last week KAST reported that Clatsop County was holding a number of quiet discussions with various parties about the possibility of dumping Pacific Corp and going with the Clatskanie PUD.
This came up at the Astoria City Council meeting when the Pacific Power Regional Community Manager asked if anyone on the council had heard this as a rumor. She said she was trying to track it down and that her company had heard nothing from the county. It was surprising to discover that most of the council had heard about it. In fact Peter Roscoe said while he didn't know much about it yet he had been asked by one of the commissioners to sit on a citizens committee to explore the idea. Then City Manager Paul Benoit said that County Manager Duane Cole had recently paid him a visit to chat about the proposal. Benoit said that the county had approached some key power users for letters of support.
Today I discovered that Cole is moving even faster to secure the support of school districts who think it will save them money even though it doesn't look like there is much more than speculation involved with that conclusion.
Cole is saying that since Clatskanie PUD gets it's power from the Bonneville Power Administration it is coming from clean hydro power and not the coal burning plant Pacific Power uses. So it's greener and it's cheaper.
I'm all for paying less on fixed expenses like energy bills. I'm just a little concerned about whether there will be any actual savings involved. Pacific Power has made it clear that buying their infrastructure will be at current market rate because much of the system has been replaced since the 2007 storm. That's going to be a big number. I'm also concerned about how the Clatskanie PUD spends money after seeing the incredible headquarters building they just finished.
Then there is the question about reliability. What happens if we get slugged with a big storm or series of storms? Will the Clatskanie PUD be able to get to us? How long will it take to make repairs? In 2007 Pacific Power brought in teams of engineers and linemen from throughout the western states. Can the PUD do that?
How are the Commissioners taking care or rural Clatsop? We are part of Western OR Electric Co-Op. Our rates are $31 + $.1352 per kwh!!! PPL is $9 + $.0887 per kwh. Give us PPL, please!!! WOEC covers half of Clatsop county, are we supposed to take on more property tax to buy PPL's system and receive no benefit? If the Commissioners are so concerned about the price of electricity, they should focus on the poorest parts of Clatsop county first!
ReplyDeleteContrary to Clatskanie P.U.D., the most successful and closest model of a P.U.D. is "Columbia River P.U.D." in Columbia County.
ReplyDeleteIn the 2007 Storm, would it not be more appropriate to examine how they fared as an indicator of their success?
If the Clatskanie PUD power is greener, that is one plus in switching electrical power providers. However, there is no need to rush to make such an important decision. The service from Pacific Power is good, and the cost is okay.
ReplyDeleteWill electricity from Clatskanie PUD actually be cheaper when the dust settles? Will the service be as good as the current service provided by Pacific Power?
Most important is that proper due diligence be undertaken. I have little confidence that Clatsop County can properly do the necessary due diligence. That Peter Roscoe is on a committee to explore the idea scares the hell out of me.
What information does County Manager Cole possess that has him out discussing, and seemingly pushing, changing to Clatskanie PUD? What will it cost to hire consultants to advise on such a change? What are the risks involved in going with the PUD?
This decision should not be rushed into.