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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Comment Dewey1 Allison Spani From:Shanna Kuhlemier Sent:Wednesday, July 21, 2021 12:28 PM To:Allison Spani Subject:FW: Public comment for 7/21 Board meeting Shanna D. Kuhlemier, CMC District Clerk/Assistant to the General Manager 11570 Donner Pass Road Truckee, CA 96161 P: 530-582-3980 www.tdpud.org At The Truckee Donner PUD, we believe in: Safety – Safety is our way of life! Communication – Send and receive Integrity – Honest and ethical! Accountability – Own it! Timeliness – Meet our goals and commitments! Work Life Balance – Work hard, play hard! This electronic message contains information from the Truckee Donner Public Utility District which is intended to be sent to the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying or distribution or use of the contents of this information is prohibited. If you receive this transmission in error please reply to my e-mail. From: Shanna Kuhlemier Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2021 11:42 AM To: Steve Gross (gross@portersimon.com) Cc: Brian Wright Subject: FW: Public comment for 7/21 Board meeting For tonight’s meeting. Shanna D. Kuhlemier, CMC District Clerk/Assistant to the General Manager 11570 Donner Pass Road Truckee, CA 96161 P: 530-582-3980 www.tdpud.org At The Truckee Donner PUD, we believe in: Safety – Safety is our way of life! Communication – Send and receive Integrity – Honest and ethical! Accountability – Own it! Timeliness – Meet our goals and commitments! Work Life Balance – Work hard, play hard! This electronic message contains information from the Truckee Donner Public Utility District which is intended to be sent to the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying or distribution or use of the contents of this information is prohibited. If you receive this transmission in error please reply to my e-mail. 2 From: Barney Dewey [mailto:barney@deweys.org] Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2021 11:38 AM To: Shanna Kuhlemier Subject: Public comment for 7/21 Board meeting CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Truckee Donner PUD. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Shanna, Here is my Public Comment for the 7/21/2021 Board Meeting. If you have any questions please message me or call at 530-346-7600. Thank you. Best regards, Barney ============ It has been reported that Grass Valley local businesses lost $400,000 per day during the 2019 PSPS events. One business, a food cooperative, reported it lost $300,000 in two days from spoilage and lost commerce. I believe that micro-grids for Truckee are important and should be a high-priority of TDPUD. A micro-grid that serves the area from downtown Truckee, the business and medical districts and the schools will help Truckee maintain a more normal experience during PSOM events. In the last TDPUD Board meeting, two Standing Committees were formed to explore TDPUD’s top two stated initiatives: (1) to become an Internet Broadband provider and (2) 100% Clean Renewable Energy. It was noted in that Board meeting that the district does not have the resources to have more than two Standing Committees to explore new initiatives. I believe that establishing micro-grids should be the highest priority initiative for TDPUD. I am asking the TDPUD Board to strongly consider replacing the Community Broadband Initiative wit h an initiative to establish a micro-grid. Here are my thoughts on why this should be done. First, I believe TDPUD should focus on water and power and not expand staff, skills and expenses to become an Internet Broadband provider. TDPUD entering a new competitive market, where huge losses could occur, is a very large risk to the water and power needs of the community. Second, it has been reported that these PSOM events are likely to last for at least 5 to 10 years and maybe indefinitely. A solution like a micro-grid is needed now and into the future for the Truckee community. Third, there are existing Internet Broadband providers that serve the Truckee area. One provider, Suddenlink, provides very good service to some areas; but poor service where their infrastructure is older and above ground. However, the solution for the community is not for TDPUD to establish a risky competitive Broadband service; but, to pressure Suddenlink to repair or replace their areas of poor infrastructure. The Town of Truckee is currently taking on this task by working with the State and Federal governments to resolve the issue of 3 Suddenlink’s poor service. If the Town is successful, the risk for TDPUD entering this competitive market against a well-funded public company is extremely high. In summary, micro-grids can be established in many ways. A fast and relatively low-cost solution is to rent large portable diesel generators for the 4-month PSOM season. Another, more sustainable example, is to a use solar and propane solutions available from a Nevada County company, BoxPower, located in Grass Valley. I would like TDPUD to investigate these and other micro-grid solutions. Please make micro-grids as TDPUD’s number one initiative and Standing Committee. Thank you.