Manager’s Corner By David Tramblie, General Manger

Save Electricity and Water! If you are planting a new tree in your yard this summer, be sure to consider the following…

WATER CONSERVATION should be on your mind. Plan the placement so plants with similar watering require-ments are grouped together for more efficient irrigation.

LOOK UP! If you see overhead power lines, be careful to choose a tree that will grow no more than 25 feet tall.

CALL BEFORE YOU DIG. Call 811 at least two working days before you dig; all affected utilities will send workers to locate underground lines at no cost.

$ SAVE MONEY $ By carefully planting shade trees, your home will be cooler in the summer, re-ducing the need to pay for air condi-tioning.

Auto Pay—

One More Option To Make Your Life Easier!

What Is a PUD Commissioner?

Public Utility District No. 1 is governed by a nonpartisan Board of Commis-sioners comprised of three local citi-zens and elected by the residents of Wahkiakum County. Based on popula-tion, Wahkiakum County is divided into three geographic districts, with one PUD Commissioner elected from those districts every two years during the general election. Wahkiakum PUD Commissioners serve a six-year term, with each Commissioner serving as President, Vice-President or Secretary of the Board, rotating each year.

PUD Commissioners focus on estab-lishing the utility’s policies, setting rates, adopting system plans for elec-tric and water utilities, and approving the revenue obligations. In addition to guiding PUD operations, the commis-sioners appoint the general manager.

The public is invited to join us at our Commission Meetings. Official minutes and pre-agendas (drafts) are available prior to Commission Meetings on the PUD website.

Gene Healy, Commissioner

Your Commissioners’ Meeting Schedule:

8:30 AM the first and third Tuesday of each month

45 River Street, Cathlamet

Summer 2012

From Your Commissioners

Construction has begun on the new Wahkiakum Substa-tion, with JH Kelly of Longview having been awarded the bid. The project (originally estimated at nearly $3 million) came in costing significantly less at closer to $2.5 million.

It is with great satisfaction that our local elected officials have partnered with Wahkiakum PUD by supporting this project and investing in our community. The new Wahkia-kum Substation is expected to provide power to the east

end of Wahkiakum County for the next 50 years, as well as increase the life expec-tancy of the existing substation. We will now be able to perform required mainte-nance without the need to shut down the electricity during routine maintenance. This project is a culmination of years of analysis and helps Wahkiakum PUD achieve its Mission of providing reliable electric service.

David Tramblie

Wahkiakum PUD PO Box 248, 45 River Street

Cathlamet, WA 98612 360-795-3266 or 360-465-2171

www.wahkiakumpud.org

Auto Pay eliminates the need to write checks and send them in the mail each month. When you sign up for this option, we will continue to mail you a statement each month but we will automatically charge the amount due to your Visa, MasterCard or Discover debit or credit ac-count, so no worries about remembering when a due date comes up.

To sign up for Auto Pay, please contact Wahkiakum PUD at 360-795-3266 or 360-465-2171.

A great option if you are traveling!

The mission of Public Utility District No. 1 of Wahkiakum County is to provide the most reliable electric and water service at the most reasonable cost along with quality customer service to the District’s ratepayers. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Q. I think I might have a water leak—what do I do?

There are several ways to identify water leaks in your home or business. Repair-ing water leaks is a great way to reduce the use of water that is being wasted.

Slow drips of water from a faucet might not seem like much, but it adds up and can be wasting water and electricity if its dripping hot water. A steady drip per second can add up to over 2,000 gallons of water a year! Frequently, the leaking faucet is a result of a bad rub-ber washer under the handle (don’t forget to shut off the water before removing the handle).

Toilet leaks can range from small to large, constant to random. Many are even silent. If you think it is leaking, remove the tank lid, add a few drops of food coloring to the water and wait 30 minutes. If you see colored water in the bowl it’s got a leak. In most cases, you will simply need to replace the toilet flapper or filling mechanism.

Check your meter for mysterious water leaks between the meter and the house. Start by locating your water meter. Turn off every water-using item inside and outside the home. Check your meter—watch the meter for a minute or more. If the dial or arrow is moving, you may have a leak. A plumber might be able to help you locate and fix these leaks.

Important Numbers

Customer Service: 360-795-3266 Toll free west-end: 360-465-2171

AFTER HOURS OUTAGE REPORTS

360-795-3312 or 360-465-2202

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Payment Options Wahkiakum PUD offers the fol-lowing payment options: check, cash, money orders and credit cards. Payment locations:

On The Web www.wahkiakumpud.org

Cathlamet Office Monday—Friday 8:00—4:30 PM

Closed 12:00—12:30 Lunch

Other Payment Stations Cathlamet PUD parking lot

drop box; Rosburg Store

2012 Holiday

Office Closures

Wahkiakum PUD will be closed to recognize the following holidays: New Years Day Martin Luther King Birthday President’s Day; Memorial Day Fourth of July; Labor Day Veteran’s Day; Thanksgiving Day Friday after Thanksgiving Christmas Day

Penny Wise: Energy Efficiency Adds Up and Helps Save You Money!

Looking to make some improvements in your home to save on your electric costs? Wahkiakum PUD might be able to reduce installation costs with our rebates! According to ENERGYSTAR, sealing and insulating the "envelope" or "shell" of your home — its outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors, and floors — is often the most cost effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort.

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R WINDOWS R

Under the Residential Windows Rebate Program Wahkiakum PUD may be able to pay a portion of the cost to replace the windows in your electrically-heated residence. Qualifying homes may include single-family, multi-family and manufac-tured homes with electricity as its primary heat source.

R INSULATION R

Wahkiakum PUD is helping its customers reduce their monthly electric bills and make their homes more comfortable through our Residential Weatherization Program. Wahkiakum PUD may be able to help pay a portion of the cost to insulate homes with electricity as its primary heat source. Incentive rates vary and are paid by the square foot.

R DUCTLESS HEAT PUMP R

A ductless heat pump is a highly efficient system that can easily be installed as a new primary heat source for electri-cally heated non-ducted homes. A ductless system heats and cools a home for a fraction of the cost of baseboards and wall heaters and is easily installed in a home without an existing duct system.

Visit www.wahkiakumpud.org/energy-efficiency to learn more about these or other energy efficiency improvements.

Funds for this program are limited. This program is offered on a first-come, first-served basis and is effective until funding is expended or the program ends. Wahkiakum PUD reserves the right to modify or discontinue this program

without prior notice at its discretion.

Do You Have a Shut Off Valve To Shut Off Your Water in An Emergency? Summer time is a good time to consider talking to a plumber to install one.

Looking For a Way to Make a

Difference ?

Our Residential Ener-gy Assistance Program (REAP) is accepting donations now. All donations remain in Wahkia-kum County to help families in need. For more information visit www.wahkiakumpud.org.