Meaghan Vibbert
Public Information Officer
(509) 881-2221
News Release – December 2, 2025
Douglas County PUD Commissioners Molly Simpson, Aaron J. Viebrock and Ronald E. Skagen executed the following actions during the December 2, 2025 Commission meeting held at the District’s East Wenatchee office:
Awarded Shane Bickford, Assistant Manager – Natural Resources and Dam Safety with his thirty year service award. Commissioner Simpson thanked Shane on behalf of the citizens of Douglas County for his many years of service. Shane thanked the Commission, described his various roles and projects over the years and said “It’s gone fast. I get to do fun, challenging and sometimes frustrating projects. I’m looking forward to another ten years.”
Closed the budget hearing for the Distribution System, Hydrogen System and Wells Hydroelectric Project for calendar year 2026.
Opened the public hearing to accept input on the Clean Energy Implementation Plan. No public comment was received. The hearing was closed.
Authorized renewal of professional service agreement with Marsh USA Inc. for insurance brokerage services through December 31, 2028. (25-083)
Approved renewal of general liability and automobile insurance with Everest National Insurance Company and Markel American Insurance Company. (25-084)
Approved District purchase of pollution legal liability insurance with Markel. (25-085)
Authorized use of Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA) Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) for employees retiring in 2026. This allows the deposit of a percentage of the employee’s accrued personal leave at retirement into the HRA-VEBA. (25-086)
Adopted the 2026 Distribution System budget includes a previously approved rate adjustment. The average residential customer would see an increase of around $3 per month, small commercial would increase an average of $6.40 per month. Working capital is expected to increase $179 million. The preliminary capital budget is $62.3 million, of which $50.5 million is for electrical facilities. The balance of capital spending is for the new connections to the Douglas County Community Network and new equipment. (25-087)
Approved the Hydrogen Production budget which includes initial startup and operations projections with a capital budget of $10.2 million which includes a refueling, fuel cell generation and storage and waste water systems. (25-088)
Adopted the 2026 Wells Project Revenue Budget with the Operating Expense Budget at $75 million. The preliminary Capital Budget totals $63 million. Major items include generating unit refurbishment, HVAC system upgrades, Spillway Bulkhead maintenance, GUS Transformer replacement and crane fall protection. (25-089)
Approved the Environmental Reviews for the 2026 Distribution System Capital Budget, 2026 Hydrogen System budget and the 2026 Wells Hydroelectric Project Operating, Capital and Extraordinary Expense Budget. (25-090)
Adopted the Clean Energy Implementation Plan. The plan considers renewable energy, energy efficiency and demand response as required by the Clean Energy Transformation Act legislation. (25-091)
Approved pole attachment license agreement with Upper Columbia Irrigation District to serve Irrigation District locations with broadband. (25-092)
Authorized addendum No. 9 under 1996 Operating and Service Agreement dated September 23, 1996 with Okanogan County PUD. This addendum will modify the agreement’s services compensation and allows Morgan Stanley Capital Group to act as an agent. (25-093)
Authorized a legal services agreement with the law firm of Jeffers, Danielson, Sonn and Aylward, P.S. Effective January 1, 2026 through January 1, 2027. (25-094)
Authorized a Professional Service Agreement with Ballard Partners, Inc. for consulting services. (25-095)
Approved a professional services agreement with Bioanalysts, Inc., for the services of Dr. Tracy Hillman as Chairperson of the Wells Habitat Conservation Plan and Aquatic Settlement Work Group Committee. This three-year contract is not to exceed $560,000. (25-096)
Authorized professional service agreement with Anchor QEA, LLC for HCP and Aquatic Settlement Work Group administrative services and reporting. This three year contract is not-to-exceed $763,000. (25-097)
The next regular meeting of the Commission is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. December 16, 2025 at the District’s East Wenatchee Office.