In The Spotlight: Chelan County Pud Quiz

1. Chelan County PUD residential electric rates, on average, are:

Cheapest in the country

Second lowest in the country

About average for the Pacific Northwest

About average for the nation

Chelan PUD rates are second lowest in the nation at approximately 3.1 cents per kilowatt hour (3.4 cents with temporary surcharge in effect). The regional Northwest average rate is about 8.3 cents, and the national average is about 11.8 cents per kilowatt hour.

Explanation

Chelan PUD rates are second lowest in the nation at approximately 3.1 cents per kilowatt hour (3.4 cents with temporary surcharge in effect). The regional Northwest average rate is about 8.3 cents, and the national average is about 11.8 cents per kilowatt hour.

2. True or false? Money received from local customers’ electric bills pays fully for the PUD’s cost of producing and delivering that power.

True

False

PUD rates do not cover the cost of any PUD services. The PUD relies on extra revenue from wholesale power sales to cover the difference. A new strategic plan is being developed for a more sustainable approach for the long term.

Explanation

PUD rates do not cover the cost of any PUD services. The PUD relies on extra revenue from wholesale power sales to cover the difference. A new strategic plan is being developed for a more sustainable approach for the long term.

3. The general manager for Chelan County PUD is:

Dennis Bolz

Joe Jarvis

Rich Riazzi

Charlie Hosken

Norm Gutzwiler

Rich Riazzi was hired in May 2006.

Explanation

Rich Riazzi was hired in May 2006.

4. How many hydroelectric dams are owned and operated by Chelan County PUD?

One

Two

Three

Five

Rock Island Dam was the first dam on the Columbia River (producing power in 1933). The PUD acquired it in 1956 and finished adding a second powerhouse in 1979. Chelan Dam was finished by Washington Water Power in 1928 and was acquired by the PUD in 1955. Rocky Reach Dam was built by the PUD (finished in 1961 and expanded in 1971).

Explanation

Rock Island Dam was the first dam on the Columbia River (producing power in 1933). The PUD acquired it in 1956 and finished adding a second powerhouse in 1979. Chelan Dam was finished by Washington Water Power in 1928 and was acquired by the PUD in 1955. Rocky Reach Dam was built by the PUD (finished in 1961 and expanded in 1971).

5. How many PUD commissioners are publicly elected to oversee the District?

Three

Five

Seven

Five publicly elected PUD commissioners oversee the utility and hire a general manager. Two of the five positions are up for election every two years.

Explanation

Five publicly elected PUD commissioners oversee the utility and hire a general manager. Two of the five positions are up for election every two years.

6. True or false? Chelan County PUD taxes its customers.

True

False

The PUD receives its revenue from retail rates, sales of surplus power and interest on investments.

Explanation

The PUD receives its revenue from retail rates, sales of surplus power and interest on investments.

7. Where is the Museum of the Columbia located?

Rock Island Dam

Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center

Rocky Reach Dam

Grand Coulee Dam

The Museum of the Columbia is at Rocky Reach Dam and is open to the public from March through October. It offers one of the rare public views of an operating hydro powerhouse.

Explanation

The Museum of the Columbia is at Rocky Reach Dam and is open to the public from March through October. It offers one of the rare public views of an operating hydro powerhouse.

8. True or false? Chelan County PUD is part of Chelan County government and provides money for the county budget.

True

False

The PUD and county government are completely separate.

Explanation

The PUD and county government are completely separate.

9. True or false? Chelan County PUD relies on the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and the federal Columbia River hydropower system for the bulk of its power.

True

False

The PUD contracts for no power from BPA since the PUD ordinarily has more than enough generation of its own to meet the local load. On occasion during low river flows and high power use (cold winter days), the PUD may have to buy small quantities of power from BPA or other suppliers.

Explanation

The PUD contracts for no power from BPA since the PUD ordinarily has more than enough generation of its own to meet the local load. On occasion during low river flows and high power use (cold winter days), the PUD may have to buy small quantities of power from BPA or other suppliers.

10. Chelan County PUD provides which of the following utility services? (check all that apply)

Electricity

Domestic water

Wastewater collection/treatment

Fiber optics

Garbage collection

The PUD provides all services listed except garbage collection.

Explanation

The PUD provides all services listed except garbage collection.

Submit

11. Chelan County PUD dams have been featured on which national TV shows? (check all that apply)

ABC’s What’s My Line?

Discovery Channel’s Dirty Jobs

ABC’s Super Nanny

History Channel’s Modern Marvels

Dirty Jobs and Modern Marvels

Explanation

Dirty Jobs and Modern Marvels

Submit

12. Chelan County PUD was created by a vote of county residents in what year?

1930

1936

1947

1961

1936; the PUD will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2011.

Explanation

1936; the PUD will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2011.

13. True or false? Chelan County PUD must one day guarantee that no endangered salmon or steelhead are harmed by passing the dams.

True

False

The PUD, however, has chosen to create Habitat Conservation Plans for Rock Island and Rocky Reach dams which set a standard of no net impact on endangered fish by using hatcheries and habitat enhancements for a portion of the fish being protected.

Explanation

The PUD, however, has chosen to create Habitat Conservation Plans for Rock Island and Rocky Reach dams which set a standard of no net impact on endangered fish by using hatcheries and habitat enhancements for a portion of the fish being protected.

14. How many parks has Chelan County PUD built along the Columbia River and at Lake Chelan?

5

8

14

20

The PUD has built 14 parks that attract more than three million visitors a year.

Explanation

The PUD has built 14 parks that attract more than three million visitors a year.

In The Spotlight: Chelan County Pud Quiz

1. Chelan County PUD residential electric rates, on average, are:

2.

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

2. True or false? Money received from local customers’ electric bills pays fully for the PUD’s cost of producing and delivering that power.

3. The general manager for Chelan County PUD is:

4. How many hydroelectric dams are owned and operated by Chelan County PUD?

5. How many PUD commissioners are publicly elected to oversee the District?

6. True or false? Chelan County PUD taxes its customers.

7. Where is the Museum of the Columbia located?

8. True or false? Chelan County PUD is part of Chelan County government and provides money for the county budget.

9. True or false? Chelan County PUD relies on the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and the federal Columbia River hydropower system for the bulk of its power.

10. Chelan County PUD provides which of the following utility services? (check all that apply)

11. Chelan County PUD dams have been featured on which national TV shows? (check all that apply)

12. Chelan County PUD was created by a vote of county residents in what year?

13. True or false? Chelan County PUD must one day guarantee that no endangered salmon or steelhead are harmed by passing the dams.

14. How many parks has Chelan County PUD built along the Columbia River and at Lake Chelan?