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Utility pleased with
appliance repair law
The future Clark Public Utilities’ popular appliance
repair service, in doubt since an attorney general’s ruling in 1998 that
questioned whether a public utility district can offer such a service, was
assured last Friday, when the former attorney general, now Gov.
Christine Gregoire, signed 49th District
Democratic State Sen. Craig Pridemore’s
bill allowing Clark to continue the service.
“We’re very pleased that the governor has signed this
measure into law,” said utility CEO/general manager
Wayne Nelson. “Many of our customers love
this service, and we’ve wanted clarity on the issue.”
“We want to thank Sen. Pridemore and Rep.
Bill Fromhold (D-49th), who took the lead
on getting this legislation passed,” Nelson said. “Reps.
Deb Wallace (D-17th) and
Jim Moeller (D-49th) also played key
roles in getting the issue through the legislature,” Nelson said.
“It’s not an easy task to get a bill with strictly local
significance through the legislature,” Nelson said. “We sincerely appreciate the
hard work of these local legislators who supported this bill.”
Clark Public Utilities has offered appliance repair
services to its customer owners since the early 1940s. A portion of the business
was acquired, along with other assets of Portland General Electric, in 1946. PGE
served part of Clark County prior to formation of the PUD. The service has
proven to be very popular, particularly with long-time residents.
Clark offers repair of heating and cooling equipment,
water heaters and ranges. Customers are charged $66 for the first half-hour and
$17 for each additional 15 minutes. These rates are comparable to what is
charged by many private companies that operate in Clark County. The service is
not subsidized by electricity rates.
The utility also offers Guaranteed Hot Water, a
maintenance program that provides repair or replacement of water heaters within
24 hours of failure. This service costs $2.40 per month.
The utility’s authority to offer appliance repair
services was questioned by the state auditor in 1999, based on the 1998 opinion
issued by the state attorney general’s office. The attorney general’s opinion
was written by an assistant attorney general but signed by Gregoire, who was
attorney general at the time. It reviewed a number of services offered or being
considered by Washington public utility districts. Among other things, the
opinion said a PUD did not have the authority to repair appliances that it has
not sold. Passage of this legislation clarifies that Clark can continue to
operate its repair service, the only one of its kind in the state.
As part of the legislative process, some opponents of the
bill raised several issues with the state’s Department of Labor and Industries,
which regulates the licensing of repair technicians, and sets standards and
permitting requirements for many electrical and plumbing repairs and
installations. Officials of L&I have been reviewing utility records and are
expected to announce findings within a couple of weeks.
“We will take all necessary steps to ensure full
compliance with all legal requirements,” Nelson said. “As a public agency, we
will be a visible example for the repair industry to follow.”
Baird to follow up social security
survey with town hall meetings
Over 80 percent of those responding to a survey by U.S.
Rep. Brian Baird (D-3rd) say Congress
should act now to ensure long-term security of Social Security, according to
Baird, who is scheduling town hall meetings in the district beginning with a 7
p.m. Friday, April 29, meeting in Vancouver in the Washington State University
Vancouver Student Services Building.
According to Baird, he has received over 7,200 responses
to the survey he conducted by email.
Baird said, “Nearly 90 percent of the respondents said
the Social Security Trust Fund should not be used for other government
functions.”
Respondents were also strongly or moderately opposed to
allowing private accounts to be used as part of the system. Baird also said 89
percent of the recipients strongly or moderately agreed that the cap of high
income earners should be raised.
News briefs
The Vancouver City Council meeting in a workshop session at
4 p.m. today will hear a legislative update from the city’s political
consultant, Mark Brown and, following a
one-hour closed meeting to discuss property acquisition, will reconvene for a
consent agenda and will conclude at 6:30 p.m. with recognition of and a
reception for a delegation from Vancouver’s sister city, Joyo City, Japan.
g Clark Public Utilities’
commissioners meet in regular session at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 26.
g Clark County commissioners meet in
regular session at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 26.
g The annual Children’s Home Society
Sweethearts for Kids benefit luncheon is at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 26, in the
Red Lion Hotel at the Quay..
Headlines at home and from around the world:
(Click on the headlines below for the rest of the story)
Democrats had
the votes Sunday to pass a $26 billion,, two-year spending plan. All Republicans
had were speeches--Columbian, Don Jenkins
Republicans
break ranks to pass gasoline tax on second try--Columbian, Don Jenkins
Washington vet may influence U.S. Cuban travel policy--Seattle Times, Alex
Fryer
By two-to-one Americans oppose changing Senate rules change to make it easier
for Republicans to win confirmation of Bush's court nominees--Washington Post,
Richard Morin and Dan Balz
Mount St. Helens VolcanoCam
[updates every five minutes]--USDA Forest Service, Mount St. Helens National
Volcanic Monument |
MIRIAM GREEN 
"Working to help you!"
