During a time of vast national and global concerns about the future of energy, an otherwise innocuous election for Clark Public Utilities commissioner from District No. 3 takes on added importance.
All utilities, individuals and governments are facing big questions about where our energy will come from and what impact the extraction and use of that energy will have. These questions are not to be taken lightly, but the past performance of Clark Public Utilities suggests a bright and thoughtful future. Because of that, The Columbian recommends a vote for incumbent Byron Hanke in his race against Jane Van Dyke.
As always, the suggestion of a vote for Hanke is simply a suggestion. Voters are well-equipped to examine the issues and make intelligent decisions based upon their own opinions and values. But it is difficult to devise a cogent argument suggesting that change is needed at Clark Public Utilities. Consider:
• Since 2002, residential electricity rates have been raised just three times, and the most recent increase, in 2011, was 1 percent.
• According to numbers from the utility, its annual operating costs per customer are $326, compared with a statewide average of $587 for public utilities. CPU also has the lowest employee-to-customer ratio in the state.
• In spite of that, the local utility has earned a strong reputation for excellent customer service. Clark Public Utilities routinely earns the J.D. Power Award for customer satisfaction among midsized utilities in the West. All of that led primary challenger Bill Hughes to say, during a forum with The Columbian’s Editorial Board, “It’s hard to improve on perfection, so what am I going to criticize?”
With that said, this is not a time for Clark Public Utilities to rest on its laurels. Changes are coming in how we produce and consume energy, and Washington is at the forefront of those changes. In 2006, voters approved Initiative 937, requiring large utilities to obtain 15 percent of their electricity from new renewable sources such as solar and wind (but excluding hydro) by 2020.
It can be argued whether hydroelectric power should be deemed as renewable, but I-937 is the law of the state. “We have taken measures to comply with that fully,” Hanke said. “The voters spoke, and we listened.” In addition, Gov. Jay Inslee ran for office in 2012 largely on a platform of being The Green Governor, and he has urged steps to move all aspects of the state economy away from fossil fuels.
Van Dyke, in meeting with the Editorial Board, said, “I think the utility has not taken advantage of its opportunity to prepare for the future.”
Van Dyke is a worthy challenger. She served on the commission from 1984-2002, helping to lay the foundation for the ongoing success of Clark Public Utilities. She has been involved with numerous community organizations and has a broad knowledge and understanding of the community’s needs and the function of the commission. She notes that changes in energy will mean changes in Clark Public Utilities: “The bad years, it’s going to be difficult.”
That, however, does little to suggest that Hanke should not retain his position on the commission. Past performance suggests an excellent future for the utility, and Hanke has been an essential part of that performance. “Things are going well, and there are reasons for that — strong management, good service,” Hanke said. “I see no issues with our utility. We have a strong culture; we are a voice for the people.”
