On April 16, PUD Commissioners authorized a $1.8 million dollar expenditure, for a contract to partially design a re-energized Enloe Dam. This is on top of approximately $14 million that has already been spent pursuing electrification – a path that all three Commissioners admit they do not like, but find unavoidable.

What’s the deal? Why is the PUD “trapped” on a path of spending so much ratepayer money for a project with so little to gain? Are there really no other options? Has the option of dam removal been fully explored?

MVCC would like to know the answers to these pressing questions, and others.

For example, if PUD is concerned about the liability and expense of potentially toxic sediment backed up behind the dam, how is electrification going to fix that problem?

Ignoring the sediment question seems to kick the can down the road for our children to figure out in 50 years, when it’s time to relicense the dam again. Perhaps we should be proactive and look for solutions together, today.

MVCC is interested in exploring solutions to get the PUD unstuck. We are reaching out to see if there’s a win-win situation waiting to be discovered.

Okanogan PUD is looking for your feedback: The first in a series of “Town Hall” style meetings for ratepayers is Monday April 23 at 6:30 pm at the Tonasket High School Board Room.