Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Snohomish PUD




Commissioner, district 1

Dave Aldrich
Candidate’s statement:
Elected Experience: 12 years Snohomish County PUD board of commissioners
Other Professional Experience: Energy policy analyst, forensic consultant, insurance claims adjuster and examiner, teacher
Education: BA, UC Berkeley
Community Service: Catholic Charities executive board member, Marysville Community Action Network
Statement: Since I assumed office in 2003 the Snohomish County PUD has survived the tumult of Enron and sharp rate increases to thrive as a financially stable, pioneering utility of international renown. We have accomplished this remarkable turnaround through the tremendous efforts of our general manager and a visionary board focused on both keeping the lights on and providing for current and future energy needs, emphasizing conservation, renewable resources, and innovative technology.

Twelve years later there is still much to do, from completing a smarter distribution grid and installing energy-storage technology to deploying a new outage management system and discovering better ways to use electricity more efficiently.

Let this journey continue by re-electing me to the PUD board.
Contact:
(425) 501-4948
www.snopudcampaign.org

Bruce King
Candidate’s statement:
Other Professional Experience:  Small Business and Arlington Family Farm Owner. Former Microsoft
Education: Self-taught Computer Engineer and Entrepreneur
Statement: I am running for PUD because our service is not reliable enough and our utility rates are the highest in the state. My opponent ran on these very issues twelve years ago. They remain unresolved.

According the PUD, our power is less reliable now than twelve years ago. The area around Arlington has experienced more than 40 power outages since 2013. This is unacceptable. I will vote to prioritize putting power lines underground to start addressing this problem.

We maintain the highest electricity rates of any other PUD in the state - 30% - 50% more than other PUDs. I will work to ensure more reliable service or bring down rates for affected customers.

There are proven, low-cost and effective ways to strengthen our hydro-electric base. They are ready to build now. I will vote to expand their use and ask tough questions about costly and risky experimental projects that could harm our environment.

The Master Builder's Association, the Sierra Club and Physicians for Social Responsibility endorse me. They know our PUD can do better. I ask for your vote.
Contact:
(206) 940-4980
www.brucekingpud.com

I am not served by SnoPUD so don’t know any inside scoop. I do know that it made some seriously stupid decisions concerning the Tidal Turbine proposal in Admiralty Inlet. They spent millions of tax and ratepayer dollars. They ignored powerful information that their proposed site would interfere with the transpacific cable which connects the US and all of Asia on the internet. Their communications were arrogant and insulting. And now the project is dead. That does not speak well for a 12 year veteran SnoPUD commissioner.  But then I read the statement of the opposing candidate and it sounds as if his concerns are rather small time. I’m impressed with the breadth of his support.
With no more information, if I had to vote on this position, I would vote for Bruce King.

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