Johnson seeks PUD position

Wants to use local energy resources

GRANT COUNTY - Sam A. Johnson is running for election to Grant County Public Utility (PUD) commissioner position A At Large to focus on dams, affordable rates and public communication.

He said he wants to stop unnecessary rate increases and use local energy resources before looking out of the county.

He wants to create better communication between the PUD and employees and the PUD and the public.

It's important for the PUD to be more active with the community to create a friendlier atmosphere at meetings, he said.

Johnson said he is qualified for the position because he has 31 years of experience working with dam operations and says that knowledge is vital to serving the PUD.

He said people should vote for him because of his goals and experience.

Johnson said the PUD must focus on using energy resources in the county first when looking for alternative resources. He is in favor of solar energy and says there is new solar technology coming to the market that will revolutionize the industry he is interested in.

He says it's important to implement hydropower. He said the cost of wind-powered electricity is too expensive and high maintenance.

"Fiber has been an extremely expensive program," Johnson said.

He said it's important to use the fiber-optic telecommunications already in place because a large amount of money was spent to install it and the PUD should work to expand opportunities to use what's already there. Johnson said providers should be encouraged to distribute it.

To keep rates affordable the PUD needs to expand their facilities, use hydropower and eliminate frivolous spending, he said.