DHittle Report – Public Power Feasibility Study
On August 31, 2012, the Thurston PUD received the preliminary business assessment from DHittle Associates. The assessment concluded that all three options for partial electrification (Yelm; Capitol Campus to Port; or Tumwater to the downtown core) are viable, affordable, and likely to save ratepayers a considerable amount of money.
This is an excerpt from the PUD’s announcement:
From: “John Weidenfeller”
Date: August 31, 2012 6:56:22 PM PDT
Subject:Final Draft Report – Electrical Service Business AssessmentGreetings,
I just received the Final Draft Report of the Business Assessment. The Report evaluates if it would make sense for Thurston PUD to provide electric service if the voters grant this authority to their elected PUD Board of Commissioners. The Board has not looked at, or discussed, any scenario to provide electrical service County-wide.
The study looks at three scenarios using Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Tier 1 low cost power; the PUD will be eligible for 50 MW of BPA Tier 1 power initially if an electric utility is formed. Two (2) of these scenarios build new infrastructure and one (1) would seek to acquire PSE’s infrastructure; all are relatively small service areas. These scenarios are: 1) Build a new electrical system to serve the Greater Yelm area with the potential to expand service toward Rainier, Tenino and Bucoda. 2) Build a new electrical system to serve the Capital Campus North to the Port of Olympia and LOTT. 3) Acquire PSE facilities to serve the Greater Tumwater area to the Port of Olympia core area along I-5 and Highway 101.
A link to this report is being posted on the front of the PUD’s web site, http://www.thurstonpud.org/.
Don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or comments and I will answer them if I can.
John
John Weidenfeller
General Manager
Public Utility District No. 1 of Thurston County
