Clark Public Utilities Commissioner candidates discuss rate hikes, nuclear energy

On Nov. 5, voters will decide who will represent north Clark County as the Clark Public Utilities commissioner for Position 1 as candidates James Oneil and Sherry Erikson face off in the general election.

During the Oct. 1 forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Clark County at Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue Station 26, both candidates discussed key issues, including the recent rise in electric utility rates, the Climate Commitment Act and the potential for modular nuclear energy.

Rise in electric utility rates

Residents experienced a 14% increase in their electric bills in March 2024 — the first since 2011. Oneil acknowledged that while people may be surprised by the rise, there hasn’t been significant public anger. He explained the increase stems largely from the utility’s expanding customer base and noted that upcoming technologies like advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) will help customers manage their energy use and potentially lower their bills.

“So a lot of times I sit there on the doorstep and explain to them what [AMI] is because I talk to them about how it’s gonna help manage the use of their time, and it’s gonna help essentially lower their rates. They have the impression that it is ‘Big Brother’ coming in and setting their thermostat to a certain level and I kind of let them know … it’s the PUD helping,” Oneil said.

Erikson pointed to rising power supply costs as the main reason behind the rate increase. As a nonprofit utility, she said, Clark Public Utilities must balance revenue needs with operational costs.

“When you break the costs down, you really have to look at what is driving costs. So 60% of the costs and the revenue requirements are power supply. So when there are increases in power supply, those types of costs trickle down and result in either tapping into the rate stabilization fund or approaching a rate increase. So, we’ve been very fortunate in Clark County with conservation and introduction of LED lighting … that have kept rates very stable and affordable, but with increased costs and operations, power supply rates have to go up,” Erikson said.

Initiative to repeal the Climate Commitment Act

The Climate Commitment Act (CCA), passed in 2021, requires Washington businesses to reduce carbon emissions or purchase allowances, with proceeds going toward transportation projects. This legislation is part of Washington lawmakers’ goals to make the State carbon-emission-free by 2045. Initiative 2117, which will be on the general election ballot, would repeal the law if approved by voters.

Erikson did not directly say how she would vote on I-2117, though she highlighted that California’s implementation of the program has not shown success. She also suggested examining the regressive tax structure in the CCA to ensure low- and middle-income utility customers do not bear the brunt of the costs.

“California has reported an estimated 5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which is not very much considering the billions of dollars that they’ve spent. Coincidentally, California also has the highest fuel and electricity rates in the continental USA. So, as utility commissioner, it’s very important that CCA funds are transparent and accountable and help contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions so that we can solve the problem that we started with,” Erikson said.

Oneil said he opposes I-2117, noting he changed his mind within the last few months. He also stressed the importance of maintaining the preservation of the state’s natural environment while maintaining its transportation investments.

“We’ve created a lot of jobs in the energy sector, and … I’m concerned if that gets repealed, where are those jobs gonna go? There are also investments that I see from the Climate Commitment Act, $40 to $50 million is invested in our battery storage specialist. I think that’s something that needs to be increased,” he said.

Nuclear power potential

Both candidates were asked about their stance on modular nuclear energy, which uses smaller reactors than traditional nuclear plants. Erikson highlighted the technology as an exciting opportunity for Clark Public Utilities to diversify its energy portfolio, while noting that it is important to carefully evaluate the risks and opportunities.

“A small modular reactor is about 300 megawatts. That’s about a third of the size of the full-scale nuclear reactor that we’re used to… They provide dispatchable energy which is different than wind and solar because its production matches consumption. That means the energy it’s providing is continual like a fossil fuel plant. The setback on small modular nuclear is also better than typical nuclear because it’s smaller. So you can produce more energy quickly and bring it on to transmission in a shorter period of time,” Erikson said.

Oneil also voiced strong support for modular nuclear technology, emphasizing its potential as a reliable, carbon-free energy source, stronger than hydroelectric power. He pointed out that small nuclear reactors could help the State meet its goal of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. He stressed the need for more research on the cost and safety of implementing this technology, particularly in regard to waste management.

“We’re going to that phase where we need to start really getting serious and looking into this, but we also need to find out what the cost is gonna be to the customer and how we’re gonna deliver it safely,” Oneil said. “When I talk to people about [it] they are very much in for having [a] conversation about it. But the last part of the conversation is ‘What are we gonna do with the waste? How is this gonna be safe?’ … I am very much for looking into the study, and I think it is part of our future if we plan ahead.”

To learn more about both candidates at electsherryerickson.com and oneil4pud.com.