Electric charging stations considered

OKANOGAN – On April 22, PUD crews began the multi-week Twisp-to-Winthrop reroute process that is expected to see the power loop with the Pateros-to-Twisp transmission line completed later this summer, General Manager Steve Taylor told a board meeting of PUD commissioners later that day. During the interim, the Winthrop-Mazama will only receive service through the Loup transmission line until the project is complete.

In other business, PUD commissioners amended the contract with the Max J. Kuney Company to allow another $50,000 of a $250,000 contract maximum for additional planning and investigation related to safety measures for the inspecting and dewatering of Enloe Dam.

Director of Power Resources and Broadband Services Ron Gadeberg reported that the Nine Canyon Wind Project will not raise rates this year. Gadeberg said the district pays $69 per megawatt (MW) now, considering bonds scheduled to be paid off in 2023. Once that obligation is retired, power cost should decrease to about $25 per MW.

Gadeberg said he is in contact with Energy Northwest about possible grants to build electric vehicle charging stations in Okanogan County.

Information services manager Jerry Day reported that the district is investigating phone system upgrades and a program called Call Capture that would allow the district to outage or disconnect notices.