Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
May 4, 2021
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at the Electric Center, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington, on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.
Present: Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Present via digital conference (phone or video): President Jim Malinowski, Vice President Nancy Barnes, Secretary Jane Van Dyke Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Water Doug Quinn, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, General Counsel John Eldridge, Power Manager Steven Andersen, Manager of Energy Services Debbie DePetris, Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker, Program Coordinator Jonathan Hardy and Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Press representatives: None
Others present via digital conference (phone or video): Don Steinke, Alona Steinke, Rick Marshall and Mellissa Ahern.
At 9:00 a.m., President Malinowski called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. Commissioner Malinowski noted a quorum was present and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials A).
Public Comment
Member of the public Alona Steinke provided a legislative update.
Member of the public Don Steinke provided comment on energy conservation and system controls.
Member of the public Rick Marshall provided comment on building electrification and his desire to have the utility support it.
If members of the public have provided the utility with written comments, copies of these comments in their entirety may be obtained by contacting Margaret Anderson at [email protected] or 360-992-3378.
Consideration of the Minutes of April 20, 2021
There were no changes.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated May 4, 2021 from the District Auditor (Materials B):
Electric Revenue Fund – $18,244,339.17
Water Revenue Fund – $297,358.07
Generating System Fund – $364,479.36
For a total of $18,906,176.60
Consideration of Resolution Granting the CEO/General Manager Real Estate Transaction Signature Authority
General Counsel John Eldridge reviewed the memo dated May 4, 2021 outlining the signature authority resolution (Materials C).
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to authorize the General Manager to execute real estate transaction documents, Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of 2020 Conservation Report for Compliance Year 2020
Energy Services Manager Debbie DePetris presented the 2019-2020 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 2019. The utility’s 2020 conservation target of 8.97 aMW was established using the Utility Analysis Option.
For the 2020-2021 biennium, Clark Public Utilities will report a total electricity savings of 6.72 aMW in addition to utility expenditures of $7,890,119.00.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to approve Resolution 7656 adopting the Utility’s conservation achievement annual report for compliance years 2020-2021 in accordance with the Energy Independence Act and instructed staff to submit the report to Commerce by the reporting deadline of June 1, 2021. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of 2021 Renewable Energy Target Compliance Reporting
Power Manager Steve Andersen reviewed the memo dated May 4, 2021, outlining Clark Public Utilities’ 2021 annual reporting 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 1% cost cap option for 2021.
Commissioner Barnes moved to approve the policies, data and methodology for reporting Clark Public Utilities’ compliance for 2021 under Renewable Energy Target requirements of the Washington State Energy Independence Act, RCW 19.285.050. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Mr. Andersen also reviewed the final compliance year 2019 renewable targets which is due to the Department of Commerce by June 1, 2021.
March Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials F). March weather was cooler and drier than normal, which resulted in electric revenues coming in above budget and off system sales coming in below budget. March residential sales were 111.9% of budget, commercial sales were 102.1% and industrial sales were 104.4% of budget. March ended with a net income of $6.8 million compared to a budgeted net income of $3.9 million. Year-to-date net income is $20.1 million compared to a budgeted net income of $14.3 million.
Ms. Ankeny provided a year-to-date summary of Electric System and Generating System capital spending.
The Water System ended March with 255 new customers, which is a growth rate of 2.68%. March ended with a net income of $981,000 compared to a budgeted net income of $275,000. Year-to-date there is a net income loss of $916,000 compared to a budgeted net income of $281,000.
March Wholesale Operations
Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker addressed the board (Materials G). Mr. Haymaker updated the board on power supply noting that Slice performed below prompt month by 24 aMW and below budget forecast by 16 aMW. The monthly load was 43 aMW above the budgeted forecast. Mr. Haymaker reported that power prices were relatively mild given the lack of hydro and higher than normal loads. Stabilizing gas prices helped to calm the market as well.
River Road Generating Plant is offline beginning May 1 for planned maintenance.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Columbia Springs Board Meeting and reviewed the early plans they have for the Hooked event in the fall.
Commissioner Malinowski reported on his attendance at the Energy NW meetings and the Washington PUD Association meetings.
Staff Reports
Director of Water Doug Quinn provided a review of the virtual Earth Day Fest events.
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler reported that bill credit donations to Operation Warm Heart are nearing $90,000.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:41 a.m.