Four people are on the Aug. 2 primary ballot competing to replace Linda Gott on the Mason PUD Commission representing District 1, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the Nov. 8 general election.
Juli Tuson, Marty Crow, Randy Lewis and Brianna Sheetz are seeking a six-year term as the commissioner of District 1 on the three-member PUD 3 Commission. Gott, who is not seeking re-election, has served in that position since 1999.
The ballots will be mailed July 12.
The four candidates answered five questions sent by the Shelton-Mason County Journal.
Randy Lewis
What are the biggest challenges facing PUD 3?
Although PUD 3 has been a well-run organization, there are significant challenges PUD 3, and all of us, face in upcoming years.
The basic questions is, can PUD 3 provide an increasing demand for energy as the community grows, and regulations require increasing electricity and decreasing carbon-based power?
Virtually all of the power PUD 3 provides to its customers retail, is purchased wholesale from Bonneville. Because this power is hydro, PUD 3 power is "clean." Hydro power is finite and varies. Whatever you believe are the causes of Climate Change, it is a reality and can impact available water passing through the dams (not to mention the debate whether dams should be there at all). Should hydro power decrease significantly, or otherwise cannot meet increasing energy needs, what alternatives are available, and how do we plan to implement them?
Of concern is that Bonneville Power Administration has joined California Independent System Operator, CAISO, manager of Western Energy Imbalance Market, or WEIM.
How will this deal impact the high percentage "clean" energy PUD 3 now enjoys? From CAISO's press release announcing the deal "With the addition of these new partners, the WEIM will continue to provide increased reliability and significant environmental gains through the real-time transfer of energy ... With greater regional coordination enabled by the WEIM, that clean power can be moved across a large geographic area to displace other resources." Potential future consequences of this deal need to be carefully scrutinized.
Also of concern is the PUD 3 debt service on a debt of several tens of millions of dollars.
Although interest rates have been low (PUD finance staff has done a nice job refinancing the debt), the budget includes millions of dollars in interest payments. As we know interest rates are recently rapidly increasing, which, if high rates persist, ultimately will add to the debt burden. A discussion must occur to evaluate potential glide paths to reduce the debt burden if not retire it altogether.
What is your opinion of current PUD rates and charges?
Electricity is the lifeblood of the community. The future ebb and flow of electricity has an associated ebb and flow of money attached to it. Analysis and optimization of these future cash flows are the hallmark of my profession as an actuary (American Academy of Actuaries / Society of Actuaries / International Association of Actuaries).
Serving as chair of rate setting, budget and other important committees for national and international corporations, positions me with skills that will serve PUD 3 ratepayers well.
PUD 3 staff have done a nice job evaluating and quantifying the many moving parts that go into the rate-setting process. However, the rate-setting process is not simply about crunching numbers and explaining rate drivers such as matching expenses with revenues.
Rates and budgets are also about our community; these exercises reflect who we are and aspire to be, what is important to us, and how we treat and help each other. Rate setting and budget decisions ultimately rest in the hands of the commissioners, representing the ratepayer citizens who elected them.
Several questions will need to be asked in rate setting and budget exercises going forward including:
What is a "fair" relationship between per-unit charges and monthly fixed fees on your PUD 3 bill every month? What will be the relationship of rates to the perceived increasing demand for electricity, such as state requirements for electric vehicles? How does PUD 3 balance rates with providing safe and effective service?
How does PUD 3 balance rates with the debt service? How best do we align per-unit charges to the public and per-unit charges our providers charge the PUD 3?
Name a public figure, past or present, you admire, and why.
Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. These three women, NASA mathematicians back in the 1960s, were the subject of the movie "Hidden Figures." As Black women, they prevailed and made important contributions to the space program, despite the severe obstacles they faced due to the racism and sexism of the time.
Prior to John Glenn's first flight into space, he famously insisted that the orbital calculations be confirmed by Katherine Johnson before he allowed the flight to proceed. NASA has named a building after her. She has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.
Had a nice experience recently during a Zoom meeting with Math Motivators coordinators around the country. (I am founder and coordinator of Shelton Math Motivators, a national math tutoring program sponsored by the Actuarial Foundation). The guest speaker was Margot Lee Shetterly, author of the book that the movie "Hidden Figures" was based on. The Foundation had asked for questions for Ms. Shetterly a few months ago prior to the Zoom meeting. She answered the question I had sent in during her presentation!
What sets you apart from the other three candidates?
Quoting the incumbent about my candidacy: "You are the candidate who has been attending the meetings and preparing for the job." (The incumbent is not formally endorsing any of the candidates).
The incumbent, sitting PUD 3 District 1 Commissioner Linda Nutt Gott, is not seeking reelection. As a retired actuary, I have been able to attend almost all of the PUD 3 meetings going back several years. My retirement status allows me to focus 100% on PUD 3 issues as commissioner
My unique background and education lends itself to insight on PUD 3 issues. I am a creature of large corporate organizations, yet know our community, having grown up here. Since my return home, I have been a proven advocate for the vulnerable. My first priority as commissioner will be to look after the best interests of the ratepayers.
My father was an engineer for Simpson until his tragic death at age 37. During college, I worked summers in the various Simpson mills.
I have nothing bad to say about any of my three opponents. The Lewis family have been friends with the Crow and Tuson families for decades. My good friend Bruce Jorgenson, sitting PUD 3 District 3 commissioner, founded KMAS back in the day with his partner Bob Sheets. Good luck to us all!
Are there any PUD 3 policies or rules you would like to change?
The commissioners receive a hard copy packet prior to upcoming PUD 3 meetings,
I have asked for a copy of the package. PUD 3 has provided to me an electronic version of the package, after the meetings, for some time now. I would like to see this digital package published on the website prior to upcoming PUD 3 meetings.
During the PUD 3 meetings, the public is invited to speak, very early on the agenda. I would prefer that the public be allowed to speak after all the agenda items have been addressed, and can react to what has happened in the meeting earlier.
Current PUD 3 meetings have been taking place twice a month, Tuesdays at 10 a.m. I believe an occasional night meeting would be useful, perhaps quarterly, so working members of the public can attend.
The PUD 3 auditorium needs to be once again available for public gatherings
I am wondering if it was necessary to send several staff and two commissioners to New York City to witness a refinance exercise taking advantage of then-low interest rates. The Shelton School District sent the only the finance director and one school board member to Seattle to accomplish their refinancing.
I was a member of the Shelton School District Bond Committee which successfully persuaded the voters to fund $65 million for upgrades you now see in district schools. This indicates that I am not anti-school. Far from it. However, during the school buildout, PUD 3 provided low to no cost services and equipment to the Shelton School District.
For those of us in the Shelton School District, already funding our part of the $65 million buildout, why should we be further subsidizing the schools through our PUD 3 rates? For PUD 3 ratepayers outside the district, for example those in Belfair or Matlock, why should those folks be subsidizing the Shelton School District at all?
Brianna Sheetz
What are the biggest challenges facing PUD 3?
PUD 3, along with businesses across the nation, are facing increased product costs, along with unprecedented backlogs in their supply chain. Add that to rapidly changing technologies, the need for fiber to homes in the most rural parts of the county, and an expanding customer base as many parts of the county are seeing an explosion of new homes being built. From the outside looking in, they have been managing all of those challenges quite well and with minimal effect to their consumers.
Then we have the impending challenges on the horizon as environmental conservationists push to decrease our dependence on hydroelectricity without an effective plan in place to make up for that loss in energy production. Meanwhile, we also have those same environmentalists wanting every home and business to stray away from gas-powered vehicles to electric vehicles, which will undoubtedly put additional strain on the current power grid. I believe being proactive in preparing for the impending changes while working closely and cooperatively with the PUDs, Native tribes, and conversationalists across the state will be the key to avoiding the possibility of the rolling blackouts other states are faced with each year.
What is your opinion of current PUD rates and charges?
Currently, PUD 3 rates per kilowatt-hour are on par with the state average. However, with the rapid rise in material and labor costs and the loss of the low-density discount they had been receiving from the BPA (effective 10/1/22,) another rate increase is likely inevitable in the near future.
I am a proponent of reducing excess. There's not a single home or business that doesn't have some type of frivolous spending that's simply become normalized. Budgets have to be reviewed and scrutinized. We have done this in our own home and found that paying for conveniences is just not an option with the increased cost of groceries, gas, and darn near everything else. It's not fun, but it's necessary.
Name a public figure, past or present, you admire, and why?
I am not an admirer of public figures, as we only get to see what they want us to see most often, and we never really truly know who they are behind closed doors. I have much respect for particular characteristics, however. If you can stand firm in your beliefs, even if I don't agree, I respect that. If you have the ability to actually listen to someone who has an opposing view and can agree to disagree, I respect that. If you have the strength in character to admit when you're wrong or made a mistake and can take ownership of it, I respect that. If you're willing to acknowledge nobody is perfect and give the grace you yourself would like to receive, I respect that. Most importantly, I respect a person's ability to be humble and kind.
What sets you apart from the other three candidates?
Three candidates are running alongside me, but none of whom I personally know, so this could be tricky to try and answer. But, I know I will personally give it my all. I will listen and learn. I will accept constructive criticism. I will always understand that PUD stands for public utility district and respect the desires/needs of those we serve. I have no agenda, I am not in need of the medical benefits or the supplemental income that comes with this position.
I feel I am exceedingly relatable to the average ratepayer, as a mother of five who's spent a lot of time volunteering in the community. If I see a need, I try to come up with a way to fill it. I look at this position as one of those such needs. It's not political, it's community service and I will serve this community with their best interests always put first.
Are there any PUD 3 policies or rules you would like to change?
This could be a loaded question. I have always been on the outside looking in, so even though I may personally feel that rules or policies are arbitrary, I couldn't say that for sure because I wasn't there when the situations occurred, which resulted in the need to put them in place. I would need to have a complete understanding before giving my opinion. As a spouse of a PUD 3 employee and a ratepayer, I have been pretty satisfied with current policies and am not running on a platform of upheaval. I am running as a person who loves this community and takes every opportunity given to make it a place my children and future grandchildren will love enough to always call home, as well.
Juli Tuson
What are the biggest challenges facing PUD 3?
Keeping rates affordable and reliable. Expanding broadband services to underserved/unserved areas of Mason County. Continuing to operate in a cost-effective manner.
What is your opinion of current PUD rates and charges?
Our rates are comparable and in a lot of cases lower than most of the surrounding utilities. For the services provided, I believe the rates are fair.
Name a public figure, past or present, you admire, and why.
The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is at the top of my list. She was a woman of conviction and firsts: first woman to serve on two major law reviews (Harvard and Columbia), first tenured female Columbia Law School professor and she co-authored the first casebook on sex discrimination. She was extremely smart, fair, clever, and had a sense of humor.
What sets you apart from the other three candidates?
My experiences and ability to work with others set me apart. I know policy and was the lead in a small group that had a bill passed in the Washington State Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee. As a procurement manager, I understand supply chain, budgets and managing spend as well as how to negotiate. I believe relationships are the key to making things happen. My strong points are listening, collaborating and problem-solving.
Are there any PUD 3 policies or rules you would like to change?
Until I am elected, I cannot offer a qualified answer on policies and rules I'd like to change. I'd like to get into the thick of things before forming an opinion.
Marty Crow
What are the biggest challenges facing PUD 3?
Community growth and increased system demand or load. Aging infrastructure. Technology advances and the effect on fiber and power distribution systems. Supply chain constraints and material cost escalation.
What is your opinion of current PUD rates and charges?
Current KWh rates and daily service charges are adequate to support our current system requirements, but will need to be evaluated as our operating environment evolves.
Name a public figure, past or present, you admire, and why.
Ronald W. Reagan, our 40th U.S. President (1981-1989). President Reagan led our nation with humility, dignity and was a true patriot with a passion for protecting our American freedom.
What sets you apart from the other three candidates?
I am a servant leader with operational experience working and leading many for-profit and non-profit organizations. I also have a strong working knowledge of our Puget Sound Public Power model including power generation, transmission and distribution systems. I have previous experience in Public Power leadership and policy development.
Are there any PUD 3 policies or rules you would like to change?
None known at this time.
Our Public Utility works hard to provide safe, reliable and clean energy and fiber services to our community.
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