PUD donation program starts April 1

The Wahkiakum Public Utility District board of commissioners met briefly Tuesday and adopted standards for a new donation program.

The PUD is accepting resumes for the vacant commissioner position through March 18 and has received two applications for the vacant commissioner position, General Manager Tramblie said.

Tramblie told the board workers will start preparing the site on Jacobson Road for the new substation in mid-March, if weather conditions permit the power load to be served by one circuit.

As of April 1, community members may donate to help neighbors in need with utility bills. Although rate-payers’ statements won’t have a box to check, customers who want to donate can indicate how much on their payments, said Wahkiakum Public Utility District Auditor Erin Wilson.

In August a new billing software system will be in place, and the statements will be updated with a blank for the donations. Wahkiakum Health and Human Services will screen and qualify applicants for the Residential Energy Assistance Program.

The board adopted income criteria that is 15 percent above the federal Low Income Energy Assistance Program guidelines at the recommendations of Wahkiakum Health and Human Services staff. Wilson said there is help available for people at lowest income levels.

Commissioner Dennis Reid said the income guideline, in which a family of four would qualify with monthly income of $2642, “isn’t a lot of money.”

At present, customers can receive help once a year. The board discussed the possibility of individuals getting help twice in the same year, as other utilities do, if donations were sufficient.The PUD still has $380 in its Enron Settlement which it has used for low income assistance. People needing help may request assistance as of April 1, but donations will be subject to donations available.

The board voted to request a seat on the governing board of the newly formed Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce with a payment of $500, in consideration of the in-kind donations the PUD makes to the community.