A race for Clark Public Utilities commissioner typically flies below the radar. One reason is that it is a nonpartisan contest, preventing fair-weather voters from punching a ticket for their preferred party. Another reason is that the utility company generally goes unnoticed unless the lights go out or there is a rate hike.
But the facts that the lights keep coming on and that electricity can be had at a reasonable price are not reason to ignore the election for commissioner from District 2 in the Aug. 2 primary. And Nancy Barnes and Mike Lyons are the strongest candidates to advance to the November general election out of a four-candidate race.
The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends a vote for either Barnes, the incumbent, or Lyons for a six-year term on the commission. As always, this is merely a recommendation designed to foster discussion. The Columbian trusts the ability and desire of voters to examine the issues and the candidates before casting an informed ballot.
Such an examination will reveal that Barnes has been part of a well-run utility for four terms, starting in 1993. During that time, Clark Public Utilities has consistently ranked high among Washington utilities in terms of cost and customer service. As Barnes points out, the utility has not had a rate increase over the past six years.
Still, there are challenges facing the energy industry. Washington is blessed to have a ready supply of clean, consistent, renewable power in the form of hydroelectricity. But throughout the country there are debates about moving away from energy produced by fossil fuels, and throughout the state there are efforts to reduce carbon emissions that will impact public utilities. “This presents an opportunity, if you choose to look at it like that,” Barnes told the Editorial Board.
The Clark Public Utilities commission has formally opposed Initiative 732, which will appear on the November ballot and would — according to commissioners — provide little reduction in carbon emissions while raising costs for the utility’s customers. “We feel a great responsibility to inform our customers of potential impacts if this initiative should pass,” Barnes told The Columbian in April. “If your concern is carbon, this is not going to address it.” The utility receives 40 percent of its electricity from the River Road Generating Plant, a natural-gas plant that is a heavy carbon emitter.
Meanwhile, the utility has been successful in promoting alternative energy for customers and enacting innovative programs.
Perhaps the strongest endorsement of Clark Public Utilities comes from challenger Lyons, who says, “I think the PUD does a wonderful job.” He adds of Barnes, “I don’t have any issue with her performance.”
Yet Lyons is a strong candidate in his own right, demonstrating an understanding of the issues and expressing a desire to bring new ideas to the commission. He agrees with the commission’s opposition to I-732, saying, “Carbon initiatives should be done at the federal level.”
Barnes and Lyons are in a race with Bob Cone and Donna Roberge, who also advocate a distancing from fossil fuels but don’t demonstrate the depth of knowledge expressed by Barnes and Lyons.
Because of that, The Columbian recommends support of Barnes or Lyons for a spot on the Clark Public Utilities Commission, a position that often is ignored by can have an impact on utility bills throughout the region.
