Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
January 6, 2026
A meeting of the Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
Present: President Jane Van Dyke, Vice President Sherry Erickson, Secretary Nancy Barnes Commissioners; CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Water Tyler Clary, Strategic Communications Manager Morgan Van Fleet, Corporate Communications Manager Dameon Pesanti, Security Supervisor Steve O’Neal, Construction Services Manager Dana Allen, and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Staff present via digital conference (phone or video): General Counsel John Eldridge
Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Jim Malinowski, Cathryn Chudy, Rick Marshall, Tom/Diane Gordon, Columbia Springs, Carol Matthews, Petina Gee, Mark Leed, Don Steinke and Gordan Matthews.
At 9:00 a.m., President Van Dyke called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business, and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials B).
Public Comment
Don Steinke provided comment on roof top solar approval process in Australia and encouraged local utilities to mirror that process.
Consideration of the Minutes of December 16, 2025
The minutes were approved as submitted.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated January 6, 2026 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $13,493,294.92
Water Revenue Fund – $1,644,106.48
Generating System Fund – $709,748.41
For a total of $15,847,149.81
Consideration of Resolutions of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1498 and 1499
Construction Services Manager Dana Allen addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1498 and 1499
Resolution No. 7924 – LUD No. 1498 – RVHB Cottage Subdivision
Resolution No. 7925 – LUD No. 1499 – St. Johns & 109th Cottages
After the presentation by Ms. Allen, Commissioner Van Dyke opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Erickson, seconded by Commissioner Barnes, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7924 and 7925 be adopted and a public hearing was set for February 3, 2026 (Materials D).
November Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials E). The weather was warmer and drier than normal, which resulted in electric revenues being below budget and off-system sales being above budget. November residential sales were 93.3% of budget, commercial sales were 100.8% and industrial sales were 96.4% of budget. November ended the month with a net income of $10.2 million compared to a budgeted net income of $1.6 million for a year-to-date net income of $29.3 million compared to $7.2 million in the budget.
The Water System ended November with 635 new customers year-to-date, which is a growth rate of 1.65%. November ended with a net income loss of $420,000 compared to a budgeted net income loss of $483,000 for a year-to-date net income of $2.4 million compared to a budgeted net income of $812,000.
November Wholesale Power Operations
Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen addressed the board (Materials F). Mr. Andersen provided an update on power supply noting that November average daily load was 558 aMW which was 26 aMW below budget.
Combine Hills I generation was 4.5 aMW, which was 62% less than the budgeted 11.8 aMW. Generation was 0 MW approximately 51% of all hours. Combine Hills II generation was 11.8 aMW, 34% less than the budgeted 17.9 aMW. Generation was 0 MW approximately 48% of all hours.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Van Dyke congratulated the Utility for ranking highest among mid-sized utilities in the West in the J.D. Power survey.
Commissioner Erickson thanked staff for passing along the comments received from customers during the December storm and thanked everyone for their hard work during the restoration efforts. She also acknowledged the appointment of a new Executive Director at Columbia River Economic Development Council.
Commissioner Barnes congratulated Tyler Clary on being named the new Director of Water and thanked Gene Morris for his stewardship in the interim. She also provided an update on the small modular reactor project at Energy Northwest.
Staff Reports
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler thanked staff for their heroic work during the historic storm in December where more than 120,000 customers were without power at one point. Ms. Wittler also congratulated Tyler Clary on his new role, thanked Mr. Morris for his work as interim Director as well as his commitment to continued mentorship of Mr. Clary in the coming year.
Final Board Comments
There were no additional comments and the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m.