Letters to the Editor: July 27, 2022 – Methow Valley News methowvalleynews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from methowvalleynews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Sheila Corson Feb 26, 2021
As Okanogan County PUD continues its plan for critical infrastructure upgrades, the board has approved a 3.25% overall revenue increase effective April 1.
The PUD had originally planned a 2% increase in 2020, but due to COVID-19 issues, cancelled that increase. Since then, the PUD has suffered damage from both the Palmer and Cold Springs Wildfire, and has borrowed $40 million to cover several critical infrastructure projects and refinance debt.
Current projects include replacing the fire-damaged wooden Okanogan-Brewster transmission line with a new steel line for about $13 million. Although FEMA funding was recently approved, it will not cover the total amount of the project with the upgrades. The PUD also plans to rebuild the Tonasket substation for just over $4 million, which needs additional capacity in order to improve reliability. Several substations are also in need of new and/or upgraded power transformers, which will cost the PUD abo