Bernd talks of work at Grant PUD

GUEST EDITORIAL

EPHRATA — Most of us who live in Grant County recognize the incredible resource we have in owning Grant County Public Utility District. In fact, next to its people, I believe Grant PUD is this county’s biggest asset and should be instrumental in growing and expanding our economy. When I ran for election as your Grant PUD commissioner nearly four years ago, we were going in the wrong direction, with a handful of small but powerful interest groups influencing the commission to make decisions to their benefit. I’ve worked hard with my fellow commissioners during my first term to get the PUD back on track towards serving all Grant County customer-owners, including residential, agricultural, business and industrial customers.

One of the first issues I tackled as PUD commissioner was restructuring irrigation rates to make them fairer and easier to understand. We worked with the agricultural community throughout the county to understand what farmers need from Grant PUD to keep our local ag economy strong. Industrial rates were restructured and provisions added to guarantee the benefit of our low-cost hydro power first to residential, irrigation, and small business customers, while ensuring that we remain attractive to new businesses looking to locate here and provide a more diversified economy. I promised during my campaign that I would work to get the fiber optic build-out restarted. We have done just that, developing and implementing a successful, financially-sound business plan to expand fiber services to customers throughout the county. We adopted a governance plan to encourage a better working atmosphere among commissioners and to ensure commissioners and staff work together in a productive, professional and respectful manner.

And along the way, I’ve had to make some tough decisions. My record shows that I’m not afraid to make difficult choices and that they are always well thought out and in what I believe to be the best interest of all ratepayers. We have made difficult decisions to ensure that our license requirements are met and that the people of Grant County remain in control of their valuable assets. We’ve done what is necessary to keep Grant PUD financially strong for the coming decades, even when it required a rate increase, which is never popular.

I’m proud of the progress that has been made, but there is more work to be done. The PUD has challenging times ahead as it navigates through the downturn in the economy, the low river flows with their subsequent reduced power generation, implementation of the license requirements, and our increasing industrial load growth. The skills and knowledge I’ve gained of this complex and highly technical business during my first term will help me continue to be even more effective for you in the next four years. With your support, I hope to continue serving the needs of all Grant County citizens.

Bob Bernd is running for re-election as the Grant County PUD commissioner for District B. He faces challengers Brandt N. Castleton and Ron Baker in the primary.