Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
September 16, 2025
A meeting of the Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
Present: President Nancy Barnes, Secretary Sherry Erickson Commissioners; CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen, Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris, Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland, General Counsel John Eldridge, Strategic Communications Manager Morgan Van Fleet, Clean Energy Program Manager, Customer Service Manager ComCare/Credit Chiharu Russell, Energy Services Residential Programs Manager Trevor Frick, Security Supervisor Steve Neal and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Staff present via digital conference (phone or video): Commissioner Jane Van Dyke, Vice President.
Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Jim Malinowski, Cathryn Chudy, Petrina Gee, Peter Harrison, Rick Marshall and Carol Matthews.
At 9:00 a.m., President Barnes called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials B).
Public Comment
Peter Harrison thanked Clark Public Utilities for the Power Supply Workshop and suggested adding emerging technology as a topic in the future.
Consideration of the Minutes of September 2, 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 September 16, 2025, from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $21,562,390.86
Water Revenue Fund – $762,827.12
Generating System Fund – $988,853.65
For a total of $23,314.071.63
Limited Income Program Update
Customer Service Manager ComCare/Credit Chiharu Russell provided the board with an update on the utility’s Limited Income Programs (Materials D).
Climate Commitment Act Auction Proceeds
Clean Energy Program Manager Matt Babbitts provided the board with an update on the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) Auction and the proposed plan for these proceeds (Materials E). Mr. Babbitts reviewed the rules related to how these topics can be discussed and what the proceeds can be used for according to the law.
Clark Public Utilities participated in four quarterly CCA auctions in 2025 resulting in nearly $17 million in proceeds. Mr. Babbitts reviewed options for allocation of these funds under the law. Staff recommendation was to establish and allocate $10,250,000 to a new Climate Commitment Act Assistance Fund for mitigation of future rate impacts on limited income customers, and to transfer $6,500,000 to the existing Resource Adequacy Fund. The remaining $54,393 would be recorded in the general fund as auction revenue.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to establish a new Climate Commitment Act Assistance fund and to allocate $10,250,000 of the CCA auction proceeds to this for use in mitigating future rate impacts on limited income customers. And to increase the regulatory revenue by $10,250,000 by reducing auction revenue. Commissioner Erickson seconded the motion and it unanimously passed.
Commissioner Erickson moved to transfer $6,650,000 of CCA auction proceeds to the Resource Adequacy Fund for mitigating future rate impacts by increasing regulatory revenue and reducing auction revenue. Also to record the remaining $54,393 as auction revenue and leave in the general fund. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it unanimously passed.
The board thanked staff for the significant work coordinating the CCA auction participation and allocation of funds in accordance with the law.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the Chelan PUD Commission Meeting.
Commissioner Erickson reported on her attendance at the Habitat for Humanity Breakfast and the River Road Generating Plant tour. Ms. Erickson solicited feedback on the timing and consistency of board meetings with Columbia Springs and informed the board of her plan to meet with Columbia Springs to review budgets prior to Clark Public Utilities’ Budget Workshop.
Staff Reports
There were no staff reports. Ms. Wittler noted the upcoming Commission Workshop on Water Services on Tuesday, September 30 at 9 a.m.
Final Board Comments
There being no further board comments, the meeting was adjourned at 10:26 a.m.