In a race for Public Utilities Commissioner from District 1, voters will find three knowledgeable, articulate candidates who have strong credentials for filling the nonpartisan position. The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends a vote for either Chris Thobaben or Sherry Erickson while also recognizing James Oneil as a worthy candidate.
As always, this is merely a recommendation designed to provide information and foster discussion. The Columbian trusts that voters will study the candidates and the issues before casting an informed ballot. In this case, we believe a vote for any of the candidates would be a wise one as the Aug. 6 primary narrows the field to two candidates for the November general election.
The winner in November will be elected for a six-year term on a three-person commission that oversees Clark Public Utilities, which provides electricity and water throughout the region. The job is becoming increasingly difficult, with climate change, advancing technology and mandates from lawmakers in Olympia impacting those basic functions.
As Thobaben told the Editorial Board, “Technology is moving faster than our traditional models are going to be able to support.”
With a background as a Marine, the owner of a tech startup and a supply chain consultant, Thobaben has experience solving problems under challenging conditions. “Nobody is prepared for this,” he said of coming changes to Clark Public Utilities and the energy market in general. “Like many organizations, they go off historical models.”
Notably, Thobaben was part of a Clark County Broadband Action Team that developed a proposal for the utility to provide and manage broadband access throughout the county. The plan has not been adopted, but it represents his forward-thinking approach.
Erickson, meanwhile, is trained as an engineer and has worked as a consultant for utilities throughout the United States. She has valuable technical knowledge regarding how energy is produced and delivered, as well as the inner workings of utility companies. During an interview with the Editorial Board, she demonstrated a deep understanding of the industry and its challenges.
As she writes in her campaign materials: “Advances in technology and complex customer demands are fundamentally changing the utility industry. We need an energy expert to ensure that the power supply and clean water are uninterrupted.”
Oneil also is knowledgeable about Clark Public Utilities but does not have the breadth of technological knowledge demonstrated by the other candidates. Instead, he is focusing his campaign on customer service and engagement with the community — also important functions of a publicly owned utility that has a history of excellent service.
“My main concern is reliability and affordability,” he told the Editorial Board.
Oneil has a background in business development and customer service, along with community involvement that has resulted in several notable endorsements and a strong fundraising effort.
Clark Public Utilities has long delivered reliable, affordable service. But the data centers that accompany the digital age, a growing population and an increase in the number of electric vehicles present new demands.
At a crucial time for the utility, voters are fortunate to have three strong candidates who could present a fresh look at the issues. The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends a vote for Chris Thobaben or Sherry Erickson while also noting James Oneil as an excellent candidate.
