Special Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
October 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, October 6, 2026.
Present: President Jane Van Dyke, Vice President Sherry Erickson, Secretary Nancy Barnes, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Water Tyler Clary, General Counsel John Eldridge, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland, Energy Services Manager Debbie DePetris, Manager of Construction Design David Tetz, Water Quality Manager John Roth, Water Facilities Technician – Electrical Foreman Troy Uskoski, Customer Service Manager Community Care and Credit Chiharu Russell, Energy Services Residential Program Manager Trevor Frick and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Staff present via digital conference (phone or video): Strategic Communications Manager Morgan Van Fleet and Clean Energy Program Manager Matt Babbitts.
Others present either in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Gordon Matthews, Tom Gordon, Carol Matthews, Michael Miller, Cathryn Chudy, Rick Marshall, Jim Malinowski, Don Steinke and Peter Harrision.
At 9:00 a.m., President Van Dyke called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler was excused from the meeting and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials B).
Commissioner Van Dyke shared that it is Public Power Week this week and acknowledged the post on the intranet, Clark360, about employee contributions to Public Power.
Public Comment
Don Steinke provided comments related to no cost allowances and the Clean Fuel Program.
Cathryn Chudy provided comments on the recent updates by the Energy Information Administration.
Consideration of the Minutes of September 22, 2026
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 September 1, 2026, from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $14,411,361.09
Water Revenue Fund – $2,718,446.85
Generating System Fund – $409,212.93
For a total of $17,539,020.87
Employee Service Awards
Director of Water Tyler Clary recognized Water Facilities Technician – Electrical Foreman Troy Uskoski for 25 years of service (Materials D).
August Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny presented the August report on financials (Materials E). The weather was warmer and drier than normal, which resulted in electric sales revenue being above budget and off-system sales being below budget. August residential sales were 103.3% of budget, commercial sales were 95.2% and industrial sales were 95.1% of budget. August ended the month with a net income of $1.2 million compared to a budgeted net income loss of $1.7 million for a year-to-date net income of $22.1 million compared to a budgeted $120,000 net income loss.
The Water System ended August with 577 new customers year-to-date, which is a growth rate of 2.03%. August ended on budget with a net income of $1.3 million, for a year-to-date net income of $3 million compared to a budgeted $2.1 million net income.
August Wholesale Power Operations
Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen addressed the board (Materials F). Mr. Andersen provided an update on power supply noting that August average daily load was 534 aMW, which was 2 aMW below budget.
Combine Hills I generation was 6.9 aMW, which was 20% lower than the budgeted 8.6 aMW. Generation was 0 MW approximately 37% of all hours. Combine Hills II generation was 13.2 aMW, 24% lower than the budgeted 17.3 aMW. Generation was 0 MW approximately 33% of all hours.
Box Canyon generation output was an average of 30 aMW, 7 aMW below the budget of 37 aMW.
Mr. Andersen provided an update on conservation annual costs and energy savings, noting a large project will be reflected in the September report.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the ComCare Roundtable and the Western Public Agency Group meeting.
Commissioner Erickson reported on her attendance at the ComCare Roundtable, The Western Public Agency Group meeting, Columbia River Economic Development Council board meeting and her tour of the Vancouver Trout Hatchery at Columbia Springs.
Staff Reports
Energy Services Manager Debbie DePetris provided the board with an update on the Community Grant Program (Materials G). Ms. DePetris outlined the eligibility requirements, provided a review of the pilot program from 2021 and gave an overview of the lighting retrofit, solar infrastructure and Ductless Heat Pump projects made possible by the Community Grant Program, spanning 2024-2026 with grand funds totaling $352,440. Community Grant funding sources are the Low-Income Tax Credit, Green Lights revenue in excess of contracted program Renewable Energy Credit purchases, and prior year Net Revenues.
Final Board Comments
The board wished everyone a happy Public Power Week and the meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m.