Christopher J Folta

The agenda for the meeting included reviewing and approving the consent agenda items, which covered administrative, operational, and procurement matters. Key items in the consent agenda included approving the Quit Claim Deed for the Bonneville Apartments project, which relinquishes a blanket utility easement in exchange for surveyed centerline easements, and awarding several contracts, including those to American Wire Group and for distribution transformers. The business agenda featured a discussion on the Treasurer's Report concerning the redistribution of Unrestricted Reserves. Other significant business involved updates on the Major Project/2015 End of Year Presentation, the 2025-2030 Strategic Technology Plan Update, and reports on strategic plan progress and performance measurements. A resolution was also presented for the amendment to the Interlocal Agreement with NoaNet, including the admission of a new member. During the minutes of the prior meeting (January 27, 2026), discussions included the Columbia Snake River Irrigator's Association's response to litigation concerning Minimum Operating Pool drawdowns, the cancellation of the February 24, 2026 meeting due to legislative travel, and authorization to exit the Nine Canyon Wind Project Power Purchase Agreement early to realize savings. Further reports covered broadband revenue exceeding $3 million in 2025 and the utilization of Climate Commitment Act Allowance Revenues. Management also provided updates regarding regional energy forecasts, resource adequacy concerns, and House Bill 2413 related to the Clean Energy Transformation Act.

The Commission meeting included the unanimous approval of the Consent Agenda items, which covered the minutes of the previous meeting, travel reports, vouchers, and contract acceptances. Key business discussions included an update from the Columbia Snake River Irrigator's Association (CSRIA) regarding renewed litigation and a pending preliminary injunction affecting river operations, noting potential significant capital and operational costs for irrigators if Minimum Operating Pool drawdowns occur. The Commission unanimously approved the cancellation of the February 24, 2026 meeting due to Commissioners attending a legislative rally. The Board authorized the General Manager to sign a Letter of Intent to exit the Nine Canyon Wind Project Power Purchase Agreement early, projecting approximately $3.2 million in savings. Management reports covered updates on NoaNet, where resolutions regarding an Interlocal Agreement and a new member would be considered, and a significant broadband revenue milestone exceeding $3 million in 2025. The use of Climate Commitment Act allowance revenues was detailed, explaining the plan to use $3.6 million in proceeds from sold allowances to purchase future compliance allowances due to an Ecology Department reallocation methodology change. The General Manager previewed upcoming presentations addressing regional energy forecast uncertainty and resource adequacy concerns, including a potential 9,000-megawatt shortfall by 2030, and discussed House Bill 2413 seeking regulatory certainty for new energy resources. The meeting concluded with a closed session for collective bargaining matters.

The meeting included a review of the December 2025 Treasurer's Report. The Consent Agenda covered approvals for various items, including work orders, contract cancellations/awards, and the ratification of voucher payments totaling $16,187,536.69. Management reports addressed low Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption and charging station updates, mutual aid provided to other utilities, progress on the Sunheaven project, anticipated load from the Convention Center expansion, and reports on recent transmission outages. Financial discussions involved updates on the BPA Residential Exchange settlement process, outcomes of the 2024 State Audit (including a $50,000 refund), and an update on Columbia River System Operations (CRSO) litigation costs. Further topics included updates on the Columbia River Treaty negotiations, commentary on a Seattle Times editorial regarding transmission needs, the withdrawal of a state transmission ROW authority bill, and unanimous support for filing an amicus brief regarding the Scout HHH Wind Farm project. The Commission also acknowledged conflict-of-interest requirements for 2026 and adopted Resolution No. 2718 concerning the reimbursement of certain expenditures from potential future bond issuances. An executive session was held to review a public employee's performance, and the February 24 meeting was canceled.

The meeting agenda included the review of upcoming items, a public comment period, and approval of a Consent Agenda. Key items discussed included an update on the Columbia Snake River Irrigator's Association (CSRIA) response to a Preliminary Injunction, the cancellation of the February 24, 2026 meeting due to a Legislative Rally, and an Energy Northwest Letter of Intent regarding a Change Order. Management reports covered the low adoption rate of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and related charging station updates, mutual aid provided to other utilities, status of the Sunheaven Transmission and Substation project, discussions on BPA's Residential Exchange settlement concept, updates on the 2024 State Audit, the Public Power Council's (PPC) filing in the Columbia River System Operations (CRSO) litigation, and the Commission's unanimous support for filing an amicus brief in the TC Cares case. Business agenda items included the annual acknowledgement of conflict-of-interest requirements and the adoption of Resolution No. 2718 concerning reimbursement bonds. An Executive Session was held to review the performance of a public employee.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance. Key discussions included the October 2025 Treasurer's Report and the approval of the Consent Agenda, which covered minutes from the October 28, 2025 meeting, travel reports, vouchers totaling $2,540,091.71, the adoption of the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, an Easement Grant for the City of Prosser Sanitary Sewer Project, and the 3rd Quarter Procurement Contracts report. Under the Management Report, the Power Management Director provided a White Creek update, noting the District does not intend to purchase the project at term end and is awaiting a buyout offer. The Customer Service/Treasury Director reported on the PURMS update, noting an expected 7.5% liability insurance increase due to wildfire costs. Engineering provided an update on the completion of the Rattlesnake distribution line repair. Finance detailed the status of the Residential Exchange Program (REP) post-2028 contracts discussion and noted the commencement of the 2024 accountability audit. The General Manager updated the Commission on the Regional Energy Symposium, emphasizing reliability risks and natural gas importance; reported on the decline in Western Resource Adequacy Program (WRAP) participation due to policy conflicts; summarized reliability risks associated with proposed continuous spill requirements at Lower Columbia/Snake River dams; reviewed highlights from the AWBI Energy Solutions Summit regarding energy source discussions; and updated on PPC, NWRP, and PNUCC meetings, including ongoing federal permitting reform efforts and an upcoming ruling on injunctive relief spill requirements. Wage negotiations with IBEW 77 were also reported as underway. Business agenda items included the unanimous approval of Resolution No. 2712 delegating fiduciary oversight for retirement plans and the unanimous approval of Change Order #7 for Contract #21-46-12 with Paramount Communications, extending the term and increasing the NTE amount by $700,000 for broadband support. Change Order #5 for Contract #22-15-01 with CompuNet, Inc. was also approved, extending the contract and increasing the NTE by $1,107,000 for Cisco network support. The 2025 Q3 Performance Measure Report showed all measures rated green. Future planning involved agreeing on a customer education campaign regarding generator safety.