Long-Term Vision:

Transitioning to clean energy in the United States is critical to ecological survival, economic security, and political stability.  EWEB, however, has a robust mix of renewables, with under 10% coming from sources that are carbon intensive or that generate toxic waste.  This means that moving the needle here is challenging. However, with such a clean mix (and one that will be improving further as coal is phased out across the state), we have an opportunity to work with the community to establish a system that supports electric vehicles. This change could lower our carbon footprint, shield against highly volatile oil/gas prices, and support our local economy. Additionally, the best science indicates that a devastating earthquake will happen in the not-too-distant future. As a public utility, EWEB, can help residents prepare and can create a more resilient system. All that being said, investments have a price. EWEB policies should be prioritized based on community values and weighed against our willingness and ability to pay while strictly protecting vulnerable populations.

List of Priorities:

• Keeping rates reasonable for residents and businesses
• Preserving quality reliable services
• Developing distributed water sites and a secondary water source
• Creating a long-term vision for the utility that recognizes the
  changing energy landscape and carbon constrained future
• Supporting partnerships with the city to:
  • enhance earthquake preparedness
  • promote economic development, and
  • improve low income safety net programs
  • bridge the divide between renters who pay for electricty and home owners who own the property
• Actively reaching out to citizens on these topics to get feedback
  to shape and better EWEB and its services to benefit all stakeholders

As I meet with residents and find out more about their needs and wants, I am updating my priorities to respond to their requests. I truly want to give people more of a voice in their utility.

During a strategic planning session EWEB held, I watched as capable and committed people grappled with the challenges of being a mid-sized public utility.  That is subject to more costly regulations than surrounding utilities.  Investor owned utilities truly have a different focus and objective. They exist to maximize profits for the shareholders within the confines of the regulatory system. A public utility, however, has more of a customer focus and, as such, elected commissioners/citizen-rate-payers want to offer the best service at the lowest price.  Additionally, with more of a whole community perspective, EWEB, has the unique ability to look more broadly at providing resiliency and value through partnerships with schools, local service organizations, and government entities.  A staff member at the meeting described an interesting way that EWEB could provide value in its unique role as a public utility. As the community pushes for more solar and legislative mandates require more renewables in the energy portfolio, EWEB, could partner with local schools during the construction phase to put solar on the roofs of gyms and dig wells where appropriate. Gyms often act as shelters during emergencies and if properly engineered and timed with construction, the project could improve resiliency, reduce installation costs, and meet regulatory requirements – a win, win, win! Improvements like these require a systems approach, careful vetting and intention to look out for these types of opportunities. If elected, I commit to intentionally looking out for these kinds of opportunities.