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Conservation is an issue that
concerns staff, the board, and all of us as members of our utility. It remains
a vital part of our program to keep our energy costs down. Terry Kelly, Member
Services Manager, reported to the board that approximately 25 people from
various utilities attended a Heat Pump Training Workshop sponsored by the
Northwest Public Power Association (NWPPA), held recently at Salem Electric. A
future session will be held for installers to learn of the requirements of the
Salem Electric Heat Pump Program to be implemented in the near future.
Kelly fielded a question asked
by board member Anderson regarding who provides the energy audit requested by a
customer. Kelly noted that the audit is the responsibility of the provider of
the energy for the home's heating system. Salem Electric will do the audit for
the homes heated with electricity or wood.
General Manager Bob Speckman
gave the board an overview of meetings he attended the past month at other
Oregon cooperative utilities, listing ideas that he wishes to explore, gleaned
from other like cooperatives. Speckman and board president Jeff Anderson will
be attending legislative conferences in May in Washington, D.C., as well as
other cooperative association meetings as the specter of deregulation of the
industry looms ever closer. Speckman also asked the board for a time line for a
proposed board policy review of the utility. The board agreed to a September
deadline, giving the board time to digest the internal policies and procedures
now in place.
Guest Steve Weiss presented an
update on the restructuring of the utility industry. He gave the board
information on the workings of both the federal and state levels, the talks
about general policies, prices of BPA versus the open market, and the hearings
now being held regarding various legislative bills before the Oregon session.
Weiss discussed briefly the proposed merger of PGE with Enron, with the outcome
yet to be determined.
Because of expressed interest
in the use of green power by Salem Electric members following a survey, the
utility sent a letter in January 1996 to BPA expressing interest in purchasing
seven megawatts of renewable power which would be produced by two wind
projects. The two wind projects were to be on-line by October 1996, but
according to Roger Kuhlman, Engineering and Operations Manager, these projects
have run into problems. Staff is continuing to keep in contact with BPA
regarding the status of the renewable projects, but BPA does not expect power
to be available until December 1998. It was noted that State Representative
Peter Courtney will be the speaker at the annual meeting on May 13 at Salem
Electric.
Director Bonesteele said she
hoped Courtney's appearance at the meeting would be well publicized and would
generate a good turnout. Rep. Courtney will share with members legislative
activities and answer questions.
Under new business, Bonesteele
reminded the board that she had questioned Kuhlman about the cost of moving the
overhead service versus the cost of installing underground service on Wallace
Road. As a result of her including this discussion in the February "Board
Report" she has had some customer contact. Mr. Gerry Bartz, who is working on
the Wallace Road Access Committee, is representing other concerned Wallace Road
travelers, all of whom are interested in finding a way to put the lines
underground.
It was the consensus of the
board that a staff member contact Bartz's committee and other concerned members
for an informational meeting where questions could be raised and answered.
Members are also invited to Salem Electric board meetings to express their
concerns.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:20
p.m.
-- Alicia Bonesteele,
Secretary/Treasurer
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