Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
May 21, 2024
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
Present: President Jim Malinowski, Vice President Nancy Barnes Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen, General Counsel John Eldridge, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland, Manager of Energy Services Debbie DePetris, Community Engagement Specialist Morgan Van Fleet, PIO/Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti, Human Resources Generalist Abby Olbrich and Assistant to the CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Commissioners via digital conference (phone or video): Secretary Jane Van Dyke Commissioner.
Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Peter Harrison, James Oneil, Gordon Matthews, Sherry Erickson, Don Steinke, Chris Thobaben, Rick Marshall and Tom Gordon.
At 9:00 a.m., President Malinowski 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 comments on the conservation results for 2022-2023 and summarized the Solar for all Program in Washington State.
Full written comments if provided are available upon request – please email [email protected] for a copy.
Consideration of the Minutes of May 7, 2024
The minutes were approved as presented.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated May 21, 2024 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $26,075,972.68
Water Revenue Fund – $415,460.42
Generating System Fund – $628,011.89
For a total of $27,119,444.99
Consideration of Conservation Annual Report for Compliance Years 2022-2023
Energy Services Manager Debbie DePetris presented the 2022-2023 Conservation Achievement Report (Materials D). The report, required by the Energy Independence Act, detailed the Utility’s conservation results as they compared to the biennial target adopted in December of 2021. The Utility’s 2022-2023 conservation target of 9.37 aMW was established using the Utility Analysis Option.
For the 2022-2023 biennium, Clark Public Utilities will report a total electricity savings of 11.15 aMW in addition to utility expenditures of $16,363,735.
Commissioner Barnes moved to approve Resolution 7846 adopting the Utility’s conservation achievement annual report for compliance years 2022-2023 in accordance with the Energy Independence Act and instructed staff to submit the report to Commerce by the reporting deadline of June 1, 2024. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of 2022 and 2023 Renewable Energy Target Compliance Reporting
Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen reviewed the presentation outlining Clark Public Utilities’ 2022 revised compliance plan and the preliminary compliance plan for 2024. The annual reporting is required under Renewable Energy Target requirements of the Washington State Energy Independence Act (Materials E). Mr. Andersen reviewed the three compliance options; Clark Public Utilities will use the 4% cost cap option for 2022 and is planning for the 15% of retail load compliance path in 2024.
Commissioner Barnes moved to approve the policies, data and methodology for reporting Clark Public Utilities’ compliance for 2022 and establishing the path to compliance in 2024 under Renewable Energy Target requirements of the Washington State Energy Independence Act, RCW 19.285, Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The revised compliance report for year 2022 renewable targets and the 2024 preliminary compliance report will be submitted to the Department of Commerce by June 1, 2024. After completion of a reporting audit, the 2022 compliance report will be finalized.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Northwest Public Power Association Meeting, during the awards banquet the William “Bill” McCororie Distinguished Service Award was given to Clark Public Utilities’ recently retired Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury. CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler accepted the award on his behalf.
Staff Reports
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler also recognized Mr. Bedbury for the award from Northwest Public Power Association.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m.