Public power 'legend' to retire

First woman on Grant County PUD Commission to step down

EPHRATA — Many times Vera Claussen was the first woman to hold a particular office as she worked in public power at the local, regional and national level.

Claussen, who is serving her 24th year as a Grant County Public Utility District commissioner, announced Monday she will retire at the end of her term on Dec. 31. Her career in public power has spanned 47 years.

"It has been a difficult decision," said Claussen. "Because of various issues facing Grant PUD, there are a lot of challenges. I would have liked to face them directly."

However, she will not be able to devote the time necessary to face those issues. Her husband has become too ill for her to continue as a commissioner. His health condition requires a full-time commitment.

Family members, children and grandchildren among them, have coped with her sometimes overwhelming travel and meeting schedule for years, she said.

"It is time to change priorities and put family first," Claussen said. "I am grateful to the citizens of Grant County who have made it possible for me to serve in a policy position, for an outstanding PUD with an enviable record."

Her public power career started in 1959, when she joined the Northwest Public Power Association as research editor.

In 1962, she went to work for the Washington Public Utility District Association. She retired from there in 1979, but not before becoming the first woman to reach the association's executive ranks, finishing as the assistant executive director.

"She had a tremendous understanding and sympathy for the kind of work we're trying to do," said Steve Johnson, the current executive director of the state PUD association. The organization represents the state's public utility districts at all levels of government in legislative and policy processes.

"She is widely recognized as being one of the foremost leaders in the industry and we'll miss her a great deal and I'm very fond of her," said Johnson, who has known and worked with Claussen for 20 years. "I think she's done a great deal for not only Grant PUD, but public power in general."

Since 1983, Claussen served on the board of directors of Energy Northwest, a joint operating agency serving Northwest public utilities and municipalities. She served on the agency's executive board from January 1986 until last month, when she received recognition for outstanding leadership and her concern for the welfare of the region's ratepayers.

Former U.S. Rep. Sid Morrison, chairman of Energy Northwest's executive board, called Claussen a "legend," who shared "depth of understanding that no one else had."

As a congressman from 1980 through 1992, Morrison depended on Claussen for accurate information, leadership and experience.

"I remember most vividly her regular visits to Washington, D.C., when I was in Congress representing all of the Central Washington corridor," Morrison said. "She was the consistent voice I listened to on Mid-Columbia generation in general, and public power in particular. Public power is much stronger because of her."

"Her knowledge of public power is unsurpassed," said Ronald Hatfield, president of Energy Northwest's board of directors. Hatfield has known and worked with Claussen for 18 years through Energy Northwest and as a commissioner of Pacific County PUD. "If I've ever had a question on anything, I talk to Vera."

Jack Baker, Energy Northwest's vice president of energy/business services, who worked with Claussen for more than 20 years, couldn't agree more. He said she is the definition of a public leader.

"She brings wisdom, leadership and always a sense of what's best for the public," said Baker. "She's always been the person who has kept Energy Northwest focused on what's best for the ratepayers."

Claussen currently holds the office of secretary to the board of directors at Energy Northwest.

"She's one of those leaders you always want to listen to. She always has something fairly significant to say and it's based on a lot of experience," Baker said. "I found Vera to be one of those people I always got my sense of direction from."

Claussen served in many capacities with the American Public Power Association. She was elected as the association's first woman and policy-maker president. In 1999, she received the national association's highest honor — the Alex Radin Distinguished Service Award.

Claussen has also received major awards from the Northwest Public Power Association and the Public Power Council.

She said the completion and submission of Grant County PUD's final license application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2003, for future operation of Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams, is the single most important event that stands out during her career at the utility district.

"I was lucky to be one in the group, traveling to Washington, D.C., to present the application in person to the Chairman and Secretary of (FERC)," Claussen said. "That license, when we receive it officially, along with the power sales contracts, which were negotiated and went into effect late in 2005, assure this PUD of a stable power supply at a reasonable cost well into the future. It was a huge accomplishment by many Grant PUD leaders and employees."

Fellow Grant County PUD Commissioner Tom Flint described Claussen as an icon of public power. She has worked on relicensing from the beginning, Flint said, and her contribution to the process marks the highlight of her career.

Personally, he said, she has always been a mentor. The two commissioners often shared policy positions. Most recently, they have been consistent supporters of the utility district's fiber optic network.

"Because she's been very successful in a mostly male dominated industry, I've called her the 'princess of public power,'" Flint said. "She's always been a forward and innovative thinker, looking out 20 or 30 years for the picture of the county."

But Claussen, the first woman Grant County PUD commissioner, isn't leaving without first offering a little advice and direction to future commissioners.

"Commissioners will face many challenges ahead from both the state Legislature and from Congress," Claussen predicted. "Vigilance and hard work will be necessary."

Finally, she added: "Working together with other public power utilities will be important. We need friends and allies, as we face the future."