Ubits May/June 2017
More time on his hands
Food & Basic Supplies Drive June 5-16 Pg. 3
In this issue
REACHING RETIREMENT
I shouldn’t be telling you this, but… The exact words Bob Mack used to announce his retirement are unknown to most, but it’s easy to imagine he started out with the phrase he’s known for: “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but...” After 10 years as TPU’s Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Bob retired May 1. “For the last decade, TPU employees, management and customers have benefited from Bob’s tremendous political acumen,” said Director Bill Gaines. “He has led us through an increasingly complex regulatory and political landscape, and helped shape laws, regulations and public policy that affect our utilities. “Bob was a trusted advisor to me and many in this organization and industry,” Bill said.
“I greatly appreciated and relied on his broad thinking, insight, knowledge of political history, network of contacts and ability to relate to people. Bob’s retirement is a big loss for us, and I’ve resigned myself that there’s not another person like him.”
Simpatico
That sentiment is the same among those who worked with and know Bob the best. “Bob’s job was to influence public policy and decisions to benefit our ratepayers,” said recently retired Tacoma Water Superintendent Linda McCrea. “In that role he had to build relationships, have an understanding of complex issues and know how to influence and move politicians. His ability to connect with Continued on page 2
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Bob Mack retires
Bits & pieces
New payment assistance program
Bob Mack’s retirement diverse people, even those with whom he disagrees, along with his deep understanding of issues and policy tradeoffs, has proven a successful formula for political influence. His sense of humor is also wonderful, and as a result, everyone loves Bob!” In his time with TPU, Bob and his staff have helped pass or block many laws and regulations on issues that impact TPU’s business and customers. For Tacoma Water, he was instrumental in helping pass one of the most significant water laws in recent history, one that protects water rights to meet future demand. “Bob has a vast reservoir of knowledge that management from each of the divisions relied on,” said Tacoma Rail Superintendent Dale King. “He helped Tacoma Rail tread through a seemingly endless flood of unfunded mandates. We
“ Bob has a vast reservoir of knowledge that management from each of the divisions relied on.” consulted and relied on his expertise for anything political in nature.” One recent mandate Bob helped with: Tacoma Rail’s oil spill contingency plan that’s awaiting the Department of Ecology’s final approval. He’s also worked on state assistance funding and hazardous waste cargo regulation for the railroad. “In my view, one of Bob’s greatest legacies at TPU will be the tremendous team he has assembled in Public Affairs,” Tacoma Power Superintendent Chris Robinson said. “While I will miss working with Bob on a daily basis, I’m optimistic about the future and our organization’s capabilities in the areas that Bob has developed, including government affairs, customer research and product development, and marketing and communications. We are set up for future success in those areas.” On behalf of Tacoma Power, Bob and his team improved the way conservation credits are accounted for as part of I-937. He also helped launch Click! Network and collaborated with other public power
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continued from page 1 lobbyists on renewable energy legislation. “Bob is often talked about in the halls of the legislature, particularly for a monumental battle he engaged in during 2009 to stop an energy bill that would have harmed Tacoma’s electric ratepayers,” said William Bridges, a former Senate staff person, fellow lobbyist and friend. “His work, impact, personality and intellect are well known, respected and liked. He’s always welcome in the offices of legislators and staff because of his storytelling abilities and intelligent commentary.”
People priority
While the impact of Bob’s work proves its significance, there’s something else that he’s equally renowned for: his many connections and nurtured relationships. “In the political world, the relationships we have are as important as anything else we do,” said Community and Government Relations Manager Clark Mather. “You can see that Bob values people in the way he does business. To our customers’ benefit, he’s spent years forging relationships and earning the trust of our lawmakers.” Bob, too, considers his relationships among his greatest successes and assets. “We’ve established goodwill, credibility and a reputation for honesty with our policymakers by investing time to meet with them, testifying on issues, and providing information and advice on how a vote will affect our utilities,” Bob said. “As a result, we have a state and federal delegation that will stand with us and vote accordingly when TPU has a stance on an issue. That’s the best thing I could hope for in this line of work.”
Funny business
Bob’s humor is appreciated as much as his intelligence and skill. It’s landed him a variety of hosting gigs, from employee meetings to Service Awards, where many employees have enjoyed his quick wit. Surveys following those events are filled with comments like these from employees: • Bob brings fun levity to the informational nature of the meetings • Bob did an outstanding job and was very enthralling
• Bob definitely has a sense of humor and makes the event light hearted • Bob provides comic relief and lots of laughter • Bob does an excellent job with the jokes and keeps us all laughing
Looking back
Long before becoming a utility employee, Bob had ties to TPU. His mother and brother both worked for Tacoma Power. Although it took him longer to join the TPU family, Bob had an interest in serving the public from the start of his career. In 1975 — the same year he graduated from Harvard Law School — he served as an assistant state attorney general. From there he went onto assistant secretary of state and then the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office. His also served at the state Senate and the governor’s office. During his 32 years in private practice, Bob focused on legal and political representation for land use and water policies. He also represented cities, including the City of Tacoma, and worked for 15 years as TPU’s contract lobbyist on state legislative issues. “Bob has an incredible depth of knowledge on the legislative process and its mysteries,” said Lisa Rennie of Power Management, and previously Public Affairs. “There are not many people who can remember in such detail our state’s political leadership, history and evolution. With his way of storytelling and rich sense of history, Bob should certainly write a book.” He just might.
Moving forward
In retirement, Bob plans to research and write about Pacific Northwest history, re-immerse himself in poetry, catalog his record collection, learn Spanish and Croatian, travel more and work part-time at a private law firm. “I’ve enjoyed working with utility and government people,” Bob said. “The public policy issues we deal with are intellectually challenging, and that’s the type of work I like. I won’t be able to give it up entirely, so I hope to see many familiar faces while I do consulting and legal work on a smaller scale.”
BAG IT UP
Food and Basic Supplies Drive
Basic supplies make a huge difference for people in need, but donations tend to run dry in the summer. You can help by donating to Community Connection’s Food and Basic Supplies Drive June 5-16. You’ll find collection bins around campus. Donations will benefit My Sister’s Pantry, a food bank in downtown Tacoma. Patrons of the Pantry receive groceries, clothing and a hot meal. Please bring non-perishable food items and basic hygiene and clothing supplies. Highly requested items include canned tuna, peanut butter, complete meal kits, baby food, diapers, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, and new socks and underwear. You’ll receive one hour of product donation incentive time for your generosity! Questions? Contact Erika Tucci at etucci@cityoftacoma.org or 502-8225. Maria Becker from Metro Parks Tacoma and Linda McCrea toast with the first taste of water from the new filtration system.
STRIKING NEWS
Bowl-a-Thon raises $15,300 for Boys & Girls Clubs
Raising $15,300 for kids sounds like the perfect game. That’s just what TPU employees did for the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound through this year’s annual Bowl-a-Thon. Over the last 10 years, TPU teams have raised $182,200 for the group, which relies more and more on fundraising to help cover the number of kids it supports through scholarships. “The Boys & Girls Clubs do incredible work to provide youth in our
community with a safe and positive environment,” said Community Connection Program Manager Erika Tucci. “Kids attending the clubs have opportunities and support necessary to reach their full potential. The clubs help provide a strong community for all of us. We are proud to support their work!” Check out photos from the event at bit.ly/tpubowl17 (link is case sensitive).
Pictured from left to right: Mark Starnes and Jinnie Horan of the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound, Keith Wawrin of Tacoma Power and Lyndsey Michels of Tacoma Water.
H2O TO GO
Fill up reusable bottles with Tacoma water
Tacoma Water recently teamed up with Metro Parks Tacoma to help people hydrate at STAR Center in the South Tacoma neighborhood. A new hydration station, with two drinking fountains and a special section to fill water bottles, is near STAR Center’s sprayground. “We had a few goals with this project,” said Natalie Jones, who runs Tacoma Water’s conservation program. “First, we wanted to showcase conservation ideas while people were already thinking about water. We also wanted to provide the community a way to fill up water bottles with clean, reliable water while they were outside. A park seemed to be an ideal place for that. Finally, we wanted to do it in an area that would have a lot of traffic and reach a broad spectrum of the community. STAR Center fit the bill, and we’re really happy with how it turned out.” Tacoma Water has more work to do on this front. In addition to its partnership with Metro Parks, Tacoma Water is teaming up with the City of Tacoma to install an additional water bottle filling station in the Lincoln neighborhood. Pg. 3
bits & pieces
PROGRAM LINEUP
New conservation programs offered to customers
In the next few months, Tacoma Power will help customers reduce their energy use further by updating and expanding its conservation programs. In addition to instant rebates for LED bulbs and showerheads at participating stores, Conservation Resources Management (CRM) will offer new incentives for smart thermostats and larger, ducted heat pumps. Residential customers with electrically heated homes can continue to get rebates, zero-interest, sevenyear loans and grants to help them pay for the cost of replacing singlepane windows, adding insulation and installing a ductless heat pump. Later this year, CRM will also launch a pilot program for demand-response water heaters. Eighty-seven residents from the Salishan neighborhood will get new “smart” water heaters and participate in a year-long pilot.
The project will demonstrate the effectiveness of a new communications technology that enables water heaters to store energy. Owners of multifamily properties can continue to participate in programs for common area lighting upgrades and receive incentives for weatherization and ductless heat pumps for qualifying properties, helping reduce their overall operating costs. For business customers, CRM will add rebate programs for ductless heat pumps and connected thermostats. The Bright Rebates program continues to be popular with businesses eligible for funding to upgrade to LED lighting. Tacoma Power’s conservation programs are expected to save 4.7 average megawatts of power in 2017, which is enough to power 3,300 homes for a year. More information is available in CRM’s new lobby area.
EASY TO SPOT
Conservation’s contractor program gets a new look Tacoma Power is making it easier for residential customers who want to do an energy efficiency project to find a reliable, quality contractor. All customers have to look for is a new logo that identifies businesses who participate in the utility’s Participating Contractor program. Those businesses can use the logo on their vehicles, website, marketing material and other places customers are likely to see it. Wayne Kennison, an owner of Dr. Cool Dr. Heat, says the new logo shows his company’s alliance with Tacoma Power and noted, “It never hurts to tell people we’re a step above the rest.” To be part of the Participating Contractor program, businesses must
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meet certain standards and requirements that qualify them to install energyefficient products, and help customers with rebate applications and paperwork for a loan or grant from Tacoma Power. “We definitely plan to use the new logo,” said Kyle Kennemore, an owner of Echo Energy. “It will help us build credibility and trust, and put customers at ease by giving them confidence in our work.” Other program enhancements are underway. A new website portal gives contractors a place to track projects and find paperwork, information and materials. Tacoma Power also plans to provide more training opportunities for participating contractors. Topics include
energy efficiency technology, new conservation offerings and technical training through trade associations. “We want to ensure the contractors we recommend remain top in their fields and current on energy efficiency technologies,” said Program Manager Breanna Chance.
PARTICIPATING CONTRACTOR
:: BUSINESS
ENERGY SMART GROCER
Energy-efficient refrigeration is here.
You want to keep your perishables cool and your energy bills low.
WE HAVE EXPERTS TO HELP YOU.
We know the grocery business. We offer an Energy Smart Grocer program that provides grocers with free audits and equipment recommendations. We know the top products and equipment dealers to consider. And best of all, we offer rebates that help put everything within reach.
WE HAVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY EXPERTS TO HELP YOU.
Put us to work.
1
Call or email us to set up your FREE, no obligation Energy Use Assessment.
2
We’ll work with you to determine which solutions best fit your business needs.
3
We will help you with the rebate application.
4
In the grocery business, energy efficiency is a top priority. Whether you run a large grocery chain, independent store, restaurant, or any facility with commercial refrigeration, we can help you find ways to save energy.
Contact us to learn about available rebates. You’ll receive:
ENERGY USE ASSESSMENT
SAVE UP TO
50% ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS*
ENERGY USE ASSESSMENT
Save up to
A customized Energy Savings Report that outlines potential energy savings, rebate amounts, retrofit costs, and simple paybacks A dedicated on-site account manager to provide project guidance and technical expertise Review of contractor bids Financial rebates and rebate application assistance
REBATES
FREE
FREE
40%
Lastly, our team will close out project details and issue your rebate.
Rebates cover up to
50% of costs.*
Save on your energy bill when you take steps to reduce energy use.
* Program requirements and rebate amounts are subject to change without notice. Tacoma Power does not endorse any particular contractor, manufacturer or product and makes no express or implied warranties of the same.
TacomaPowerBizRebates.com
Get started. Call (253) 502-8619 Email BizRebates@cityoftacoma.org Learn more at
FAMOUS FACES
TacomaPowerBizRebates.com
Employees go behind the lens for energy conservation Tacoma Power employees are helping spread the word about saving money and energy through their expert advice and friendly, photogenic faces. The Commercial Conservation team’s new marketing slogan, “We have energy experts to help you,” targets business customers. The campaign features Conservation Resources Management employees on marketing materials alongside information about Tacoma Power’s energy efficiency services and rebates. “Being featured is great because it helps show the diversity we have in Conservation and the utility as a whole,” said Administrative Assistant Stephanie Perez. “It’s allows customers to see we are actual people who can assist with their conservation needs.” Conservation Program Associate Ramona Goree said she loves everyone’s genuine smiles in the final products and the message that sends to customers. “It shows that our staff really loves what they do,” she said.
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Power Engineer Jack Zeiger has never been asked to model before, and as a new employee, was pleasantly surprised he was asked. “I certainly don’t meet any of the normal expectations of a model, but I think it’s kind of cool that the utility chose to use regular people,” Jack said. “Those who know us, and see our pictures on the brochures, will know the photos are genuine.” Employees featured in the new marketing campaign are: Mark Aalfs, Sara Bowles, Amylena Figueroa, Ramona Goree, Tori Hobbs, Natasha Houldson, Lonnie Junderson, Roger Peery, Stephanie Perez, Bryan Russo, Sarah Sweet, Patrick Urain, Jordan Whiteley and Jack Zieger.
Pictured are Ramona Goree (above), Jack Zieger (left) and Stephanie Perez (right), of Conservation Resources Management.
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Tacoma Public Utilities to launch new payment assistance program We all know the old adage about giving a man a fish versus teaching a man to fish. Tacoma Public Utilities is focused on finding the sweet spot between the two. The utility launched a trial program in March that, if successful, will change the way it provides bill payment assistance. In the past, eligible customers would receive utility assistance in one lump sum on their accounts. The assistance was available once in a 12-month period, which meant customers either had no assistance or had to seek assistance from other resources the remaining 11 months of the year. The idea behind TPU’s new Bill Credit Assistance Plan is to provide ongoing assistance throughout the year – with the hope it will help make paying the bill more manageable. By participating in the new program, customers can receive bill credits each month.
Although TPU will discontinue most of its old grant assistance programs, the discount rate for income-eligible elderly and disabled customers will remain in place. Customers who are at least 62 years old or receiving qualifying disability income can qualify for a 30% discount on their services. Some customers could potentially receive a larger benefit with the new Bill Credit Assistance Plan, but cannot simultaneously participate in both programs.
How the Bill Credit Assistance Plan will work
About 2,100 customers currently participate in Tacoma Public Utilities’ low-income assistance grant programs. When the utility discontinues those programs, it will automatically enroll those income-verified customers in the Bill Credit Assistance Plan and continue verifying incomes and enrolling first-time participants.
Enrollment is for two years. During that time, participating customers who make full, on-time payments will receive a credit on their utility bill the following month. If they don’t achieve the credit one month, they can still qualify to achieve future credits by meeting the payment criteria. “We anticipate this program, along with our Budget Billing program, will help our customers count on predictable bills as well as predictable assistance levels,” said Customer Services Manager Steve Hatcher. “Our goal is to create stability for these customers to minimize late fees, service disruptions, and other negative impacts associated with delinquent or non-payments.” For those who have all five services, the assistance amount per household is increasing from $355 to $468 through the new program.
Rates increased in 2017 and will again in 2018 Tacoma Public Utilities is committed to delivering reliable power and water to its customers now and for years to come. It’s also committed to keeping rates as low as possible for those vital services. The utility does that by providing more than 90% of its electricity through clean, renewable hydropower; selling extra electricity and water; and getting the most value out of equipment like pipes and power lines.
Cost factors
Still, there are other factors that affect the cost of producing and delivering power and water, and the price customers pay for them. For example, TPU makes less money now than in past years selling excess power and water in the wholesale market. Conservation is a good thing that will keep rates lower in the long run because it avoids the need to purchase new, costly sources of power or water. In the short
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term, however, there is less revenue when people use less water and electricity. As costs increase, the only way to make up that revenue is through rates.
Rate changes
Customers will see these rate changes in the next two years: • R esidential power bills increased about $5.75 per month on April 1 and will increase that same amount again in April 2018. • R esidential water bills increased $1.49 per month inside Tacoma and $1.79 outside Tacoma on April 1 and will again in January 2018.
Who’s new around here
Rebekah Anderson Alexandra Abplanalp Manager Community Relations Officer Public Affairs & Communications Tacoma Power
Emily Beaulieu Management Analyst II Tacoma Power
Seth Bishop Assistant Chief Surveyor Tacoma Power
Andrew Braeger Engineer III Tacoma Power
Laura Bridgham Office Assistant Tacoma Water
Kyle Coen Conductor Tacoma Rail
Joeseph Garner Conductor Tacoma Rail
Jesse Kinney Engineer III Tacoma Power
Michael Marshall Engineering Technician II Tacoma Power
Justin Mims Line Electrician Tacoma Power
Travis Pettit Conductor Tacoma Rail
Taylor Rochon Engineering Instrumentation Technician Tacoma Water
Philip Sandstrom Natural Resources Biologist III Tacoma Power
Skip Stein Conductor Tacoma Rail
James Webb Engineer II Tacoma Power
Recently retired Tom Arter, Tacoma Power engineer, retired after 36 years of service. William Goodwin, Click! broadband services technician, retired after 19 years of service.
Les Helms, Tacoma Power line electrician, retired after 18 years of service. Arne Lund, Tacoma Power park supervisor, retired after 23 years of service.
Bob Mack, Deputy Director of Public Affairs, retired after 10 years of service. Linda McCrea, Tacoma Water superintendent, retired after 37 years of service. Ray West, Tacoma Water manager, retired after 41 years of service.
Kacee Woods Administrative Assistant Tacoma Power
Emily Woodward Engineering Technician I Tacoma Water
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Tacoma Public Utilities PO Box 11007 • Tacoma WA 98411
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID TACOMA WA PERMIT NO 2
AND THE WINNER IS…
Tacoma Power’s Cushman hatcheries honored with national award
Ubits is a publication for Tacoma Public Utilities employees and is provided as a courtesy to retirees. Jenae Elliott, editor cms@cityoftacoma.org • (253) 502-8754
Tacoma Power recently received its sixth-straight Outstanding Stewards of America’s Waters Award from the National Hydropower Association (NHA). The award honors the utility’s two new hatcheries at the Cushman Hydroelectric Project in Mason County. Generation Manager Pat McCarty and Natural Resources Manager Keith Underwood accepted the award on behalf of the utility at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. “It is an honor to be recognized by the NHA,” Pat said. “I am proud of our employees who designed and constructed these hatcheries. They exemplified Tacoma Power’s values throughout the process, particularly innovation, teamwork and commitment.” The North Fork Skokomish Salmon Hatchery, located next to Lake Kokanee, is dedicated to rearing spring Chinook, winterrun steelhead and coho. The Saltwater Park Sockeye Hatchery, on Hood Canal, is dedicated specifically to sockeye rearing. “These hatcheries are truly state of the art,” Keith said. “We have incorporated some of the most advanced scientific features available in order to give us the best chance of success.” Tacoma Power has released nearly 500,000 spring Chinook into the North Fork Skokomish River. The utility will release its first sockeye fry into Lake Cushman later this
year, where they will grow until they are ready to migrate to the ocean. “These hatcheries are the final piece of our overall Cushman fish facilities puzzle; they will be instrumental in returning fish to the watershed,” Keith said.
Winning lineup
6 years running
Tacoma Power’s six Outstanding Stewards of America’s Waters Awards: • 2012: Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery Visitor Center – Public Education • 2013: Innovative Dam Washer – Operational Excellence • 2014: North Fork Skokomish Powerhouse and Fish Facility – Operational Excellence • 2015: Little Falls Fish Passage Improvement – Recreational, Environmental & Historical Enhancement • 2016: Floating Surface Collector – Recreational, Environmental & Historical Enhancement • 2017: Cushman Hydroelectric Project Hatcheries – Recreational, Environmental & Historical Enhancement