The Power Hour with Chelan PUD: Recent Episodes
Chelan County PUD
Have your questions answered about energy efficiency, rebates, renewable energy, incentives for local businesses, and electric vehicles. We chat about what matters for your comfort at home, including prepping for smoke season, lowering your winter bills, easy DIY solutions, and accessing bill assistance.
Have you ever wondered if heat pumps really work here in winter? Or how to get started with new windows, solar panels, or drought-tolerant EcoLawn? You’re not alone.
Bring your questions. And we’ll bring the energy-efficiency experts. chelanpud.org/powerhour
Austin Rohr of Northwest RiverPartners, joins your host, Lacy Stockton, to answer your questions about hydropower and its impact across the Northwest and beyond.
We chat about:
- How do folks feel about hydro outside Chelan County?
- What’s being done to prioritize salmon recovery?
- How does hydro support wind and solar energy?
- Why does selling our power to California helps us?
- The skinny on the Lower Snake River dams, and much more!
Power Hour schedule and past episodes: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
Explainer on the economics of solar power in Chelan County: chelanpud.org/solar
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
Shawn Smith, Chelan PUD managing director of energy resources, joins your host, Lacy Stockton, to answer your questions about selling our local hydropower to benefit Chelan County.
We chat about:
- What "selling power" means and how Chelan PUD uses the revenues to subsidize our ultra-low electric rates, parks and other public power benefits
- How much will rates increase in the future?
- Does Chelan PUD plan to support local economic development?
- What do EVs mean for our grid and electric rates?
- Can we expect blackouts or other issues in the future?
- How will climate change impact our ability to generate hydropower and much more!
Join us at noon on Weds, November 9, as we ask Austin Rohr from Northwest River Partners your questions about hydropower and it's impact across the Pacific Northwest.
Subscribe to this channel or follow us on Facebook to get notified when we go live next.
Power Hour schedule and past episodes: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
Explainer on the economics of solar power in Chelan County: chelanpud.org/solar
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
Andy Wendell, Chelan PUD director of customer service, joins your host, Lacy Stockton, to answer your hard questions.
We chat about:
- Whether we should be worried about blackouts like other places experience?
- What's the deal with all the squirrel-related outages?
- Increased rebates for energy-efficient upgrades through the end of 2022
- What should I consider before adding solar power to my home?
- Why would I want AMI (smart meters) at my home? And should I be concerned about it?
- The true cost of service, our electric rate subsidies, and much more!
Join us at noon on Weds, October 12, as we ask Shawn Smith, managing director of energy resources, about how Chelan PUD makes money: energy trading!
Subscribe to this channel or follow us on Facebook to get notified when we go live next.
Power Hour schedule and past episodes: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
Explainer on the economics of solar power in Chelan County: chelanpud.org/solar
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
Randy and Anne Brooks from PlugInNCW.com join your host, Lacy Stockton, to answer your questions about electric vehicles and charging. (Bonus: how to break the internet!)
We chat about:
- Whether our grid is ready for electrifying transportation
- The lifetime cost of EV ownership
- Recommended resources to learn more about specific EVs, including AWD models and trucks
- How to find charging stations and what kind of chargers exist
- Whether we expect the Columbia River to experience reduced flows and hydropower in the future like the Colorado River dams
- Things to consider before making the switch to electric cars and much more!
Join us at noon on Wednesday, August 3, as Griselda Gonzalez and Sergio Sanchez answer your questions about energy-efficiency and emerging technologies 100% IN SPANISH on the Hora Poderosa!
We'll be back in English on September 7th with Andy Wendell, Chelan PUD’s Director of Customer Service and Stakeholder Outreach with over 30 years of PUD knowledge. Andy will answer your questions about:
- Advanced meters coming to a home near you
- New growth in Chelan County and how to serve our increasing electric demand
- Our super low, subsidized electric rates and the true cost of providing power locally and more!
Bring all your hard questions for Andy. ;)
Subscribe to this channel or follow us on Facebook to get notified when we go live next.
Power Hour schedule and past episodes: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
Ryan Beebout, Director of Operations for Sabey Data Centers, joins your host, Lacy Stockton, to answer your questions about energy-efficient data centers in Central Washington.
We chat about:
- What do we all use data centers for? Hint: most things!
- How data centers have vastly improved their efficiency since the first one was built in our region in 2005
- What we can all do to reduce our energy use online
- Innovations in cooling data centers (fancy new liquids, we see you!) and moving to waterless systems
- Why data centers love making Central Washington their home and much more!
Join us at noon on Wednesday, July 13, as Anne and Randy Brooks, local electric vehicle (EV) aficionados, answer your questions about electrifying your ride and charging options.
Subscribe to this channel or follow us on Facebook to get notified when we go live next.
Power Hour schedule and past episodes: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
Megan Kramer, efficient homes rater and WSU energy program coordinator, joins your host, Lacy Stockton, to answer your questions about building better, more energy-efficient homes.
We chat about:
- What makes a home net-zero
- The most important things to consider when building an efficient home
- Getting started with different home rating systems
- Which natural building materials work best in Chelan County and much more!
Join us at noon on Wednesday, June 8, as Ryan Beebout, Sabey Data Centers Director of Operations West, answers your questions about powering the internet, why Chelan County makes a great data center hub, and even a few crypto questions.
Subscribe to this channel or follow us on Facebook to get notified when we go live next.
Power Hour schedule and past episodes: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
Live from the Chelan Earth Day Fair at the PUD's Chelan Riverwalk Park, we're joined by a trip of guests to chat about conservation work around Lake Chelan:
- Tamie Blevins, Chelan Earth Day Fair gardeners coordinator
- Amanda Newell from the Cascadia Conservation District
- Julie McCoy from 911 Glass Rescue and Lake Chelan Rotary
- Brian Patterson from the Chelan Basin Conservancy
- Phil Long from Lake Chelan Research Institute and Keep it Blue
We chat about:
- Gardening in the Chelan Basin and tricks to use less water in your yard
- Firewise resources to help you prepare your home and neighborhood for wildfire
- New glass recycling in Chelan and useful things to do with glass aggregate
- Microparks that offer public lake access, the legacy of lead arsenate and how to sign up for free soil testing with the Department of Ecology, and a potential Chelan Butte land trust
- Invasive species in Lake Chelan, deep lake robots, and much more!
Join us live at noon on Wednesday, May 18, as we chat with Megan Kramer, Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rater, ENERGY STAR Homes rater, sustainability consultant, and energy program coordinator at Washington State University and the Department of Energy.
Subscribe to this channel or follow us on Facebook to get notified when we go live next.
Power Hour schedule and past episodes: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
WA State Department of Ecology soil sampling info: ecology.wa.gov/Spills-Cleanup/Contamination-cleanup/Dirt-Alert-program/Soil-sampling
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
Lisa and Travis Turner from Community Glass join Josh Mitchell, Chelan PUD residential energy advisor, and your host, Lacy Stockton, to answer your questions about windows and getting ready for summer.
We chat about:
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Full window replacements and handy insulated glass panels, plus storm windows for historic homes
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What’s going on with supply chains and how it impacts lead times for your new windows
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Skylights and (even better!) super cool solar tubes that bring sunlight in without wasting energy
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Josh’s top 6 (or 7) energy-saving things to do right now to get ready for summer
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How to make your pool more efficient, including switching to a heat pump pool heater
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The economics of rooftop solar in Chelan County and much more!
Join us at noon on Saturday, April16, as we livestream from the Chelan Earth Day Fair. We’ll be joined by conservation guests doing their good work near Lake Chelan.
Subscribe to this channel or follow us on Facebook to get notified when we go live next.
Power Hour schedule and past episodes: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
The economics of rooftop solar in Chelan County: chelanpud.org/environment/renewable-energy
Solar equivalency calculator for energy-efficient home upgrades: chelanpud.org/conservationhome/residential/resources/conservation-solar-generation
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
Dave Shipley, energy conservation engineer and Canadian IRL, joins your host, Lacy Stockton, to answer your questions about staying warm in winter and how North America can transition to a low-carbon future.
We chat about:
- How some homes in the Great White North have managed to minimize their electricity use, including one example from Saskatoon that doesn’t need heating. Ever.
- Canadian tricks to keeping your winter utility bills low and what to do in an outage during a blizzard.
- How utilities across North America plan to decarbonize, and why hydropower and other renewables are mission critical to the transition.
- The Helping Hand donation program and much more!
Join us at noon on Weds, March 16, as we ask Lisa and Travis Turner of Community Glass common questions about windows, patio doors, and more to give your home an efficiency facelift this spring.
Plus, Josh Mitchell, Chelan PUD residential energy advisor, will answer your questions on efficient pool heaters and pumps, as well as other ways to get ready for summer without heating up your energy bills.
Subscribe to this channel or follow us on Facebook to get notified when we go live next.
Power Hour schedule and past episodes: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
Chelan PUD bill assistance, payment plans, and more: chelanpud.org/help
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
Frank Sanchez, Chelan PUD customer accounts specialist, joins your host, Lacy Stockton, to answer your questions on lowering those winter bills.
We chat about:
- A primer on rates and bills
- Answers to common customer questions when the first winter bills roll out
- Bill assistance
- The Helping Hand donation program and much more!
Join us at noon on Weds, February 16, live on YouTube and Facebook simultaneously. We'll ask Dave Shipley, energy engineer and real life Canadian, about surthriving winter and transitioning to a low-carbon future! Subscribe to this channel or follow us on Facebook to get notified when we go live next.
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode!
Power Hour schedule and past episode library: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD bill assistance, payment plans, and more: chelanpud.org/help
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
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Steve Wright, Chelan PUD general manager and public power icon, joins your host, Lacy Stockton, to answer questions before he retires.
We chat about:
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The expansion of rooftop solar and other renewables
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How to encourage energy efficiency, even with electric rates as low as ours
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Why hydropower is mission critical for transitioning to clean energy
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The biggest challenge Steve's faced in his 40 years of public service
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What he's doing after he retires and much more!
Join us in the new year for Season 2 of the Power Hour! Subscribe to this channel or follow us on Facebook to get notified when we go live next.
Power Hour schedule and past episode library: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
Scott Stanford, Chelan PUD commercial energy advisor and former homebuilder, and Mario Cantu, Chelan PUD community outreach coordinator, join your host, Lacy Stockton, to share updates and pro tips to stay warm this winter without breaking the bank.
We chat about:
- The new Pay-It-Forward Program that helps businesses give back to the local community when improving their energy efficiency
- Visiting the Rocky Reach Discover Center
- Programs to help lower your electric and internet bills
- Easy DIY ways to keep your home warm this winter without cranking up your heat (and energy bills), even if you rent
If you have questions about bill assistance, upcoming community events, energy efficiency, Chelan PUD rebates and incentives, and more...
Join us on the next Power Hour at noon on Wednesday, December 1st, live on YouTube and Facebook simultaneously.
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode!
Power Hour schedule and past episode library: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
Terry Anderson, WSU Master Gardener and lead of the Riverfront Park Xeric Garden in Wenatchee, joins your host, Lacy Stockton, to answer your questions about creating a lush, beautiful, and water-wise yard even here in the desert.
We chat about:
- Drought-tolerant turf alternatives to your thirsty lawn
- Why you could benefit from Xeriscape, drought-tolerant, and other water-wise plantings, even if you have irrigation water
- Why Terry loves, loves mulch and which kinds work best in Chelan County
- How to find more resources, local inspiration, and contact your master gardeners as you create your new yard
If you have questions about lowering your water or electric bills, native or drought-tolerant plantings, water-wise gardens, energy efficiency, Chelan PUD rebates and incentives, and more...
Join us on the next Power Hour at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, October 20th, live on YouTube and Facebook simultaneously. Subscribe to this channel to get notified when we go live next!
Power Hour schedule and past episode library: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Water conservation resources, including the planting guide of the Riverfront Park Xeric Garden: chelanpud.org/save-water
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
We’re joined by Sustainable Wenatchee’s Jana Fischback and Betsy Dudash and your host, Lacy Stockton, to answer your questions about reducing waste at home everyday.
We chat about:
- Composting at home, with and without worms
- What to do with a bumper crop of zucchini, summer squash, and basil
- The three keys to successfully growing edible plants in containers
- Tools and tips to reduce your waste and energy in the kitchen
- Why induction cooktops are super cool (and use about 20% less electricity than conventional cooktops while keeping your home cooler in summer)
- And more!
If you have questions about reducing your waste, living more sustainably, energy efficiency, Chelan PUD rebates and incentives, and more...
Join us on the next Power Hour at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, August 17th, live on YouTube and Facebook simultaneously. Subscribe to this channel to get notified when we go live next!
Power Hour schedule and past episode library: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
Our featured guest, Hunter Burbidge, indoor air quality epidemiologist at the Washington State Department of Health, joins Scott Stanford (Chelan PUD commercial energy advisor), Sergio Sanchez (Chelan PUD energy conservation specialist), and your host, Lacy Stockton, to answer your questions about prepping your home for smoke season.
We chat about:
- What can I do today to keep wildfire smoke from entering my home?
- Why should I avoid breathing in wildfire smoke?
- What type of air filters and purifiers should I use?
- Should I run my central air system continuously during a smoke event? And should I keep the doors in my home open or closed?
- What do I do if it's hot and I only have a window AC to keep me cool during a smoke event?
- What home improvements are most important to improving my indoor air quality? Does Chelan PUD have rebates for that equipment?
- And more!
If you have questions about creating a healthy home, energy efficiency, Chelan PUD rebates and incentives, electric vehicles, saving money and energy, and more...
Join us on the next Power Hour at noon on July 28th live on YouTube and Facebook simultaneously. Subscribe to this channel to get notified when we go live next!
Power Hour schedule and past episode library: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
Resources to prep your home for smoke: chelanpud.org/smoke
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
Our featured guest, Richard DeRock, general manager of Link Transit, joins Dr. Jim White, Chelan PUD senior energy efficiency engineer, and your host, Lacy Stockton, to answer your questions about getting around Chelan County using clean, green hydropower—whether you’re in your electric ride, or Link Transit’s shared electric ride!
We chat about:
- What do these hot temperatures mean for EV battery range?
- What’s the deal with hydrogen powered vehicles? Will Link Transit start using hydrogen to power its buses?
- 18 new electric vehicle chargers coming online in Chelan County!
- New bike racks on Link Transit buses that accommodate e-bikes with fat tires.
- What has Link Transit done to improve the energy efficiency of its buildings and operations?
- Other updates from Link Transit and more!
If you have questions about electric vehicles and charging, battery storage systems, Chelan PUD rebates for energy-efficient home improvements, PUD incentives for local businesses, and more...
Join us on the next Power Hour at noon on July 14th live on YouTube and Facebook simultaneously. Subscribe to this channel to get notified when we go live next!
Power Hour schedule and past episode library: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
Our featured guest, Dr. Jim White, Chelan PUD senior energy efficiency engineer, and your host, Lacy Stockton, answer your questions about electric vehicles and generating energy at home here in Chelan County.
We chat about:
- What new solar incentive is Chelan PUD planning?
- How can I find electric vehicle charging stations easily? Is there an app for that?
- What type of solar panels does Jim recommend for my roof?
- Does installing solar make sense economically in Chelan County?
- Why do people install local solar even if it doesn't make strict economic sense?
- Does Chelan PUD have an incentive for home electric vehicle chargers?
- Should I get batteries for my home to power it during an outage?
- How much does a solar system cost here in Chelan County?
- What solar panels do you recommend for my RV?
If you have questions about installing solar on your home, Chelan PUD rebates for energy-efficient home improvements, electric vehicles and charging, PUD incentives for local businesses, and more...
Join us on the next Power Hour at noon on June 30th live on YouTube and Facebook simultaneously. Subscribe to this channel to get notified when we go live next!
Power Hour schedule and past episode library: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
Our featured guest, Josh Mitchell, Chelan PUD residential energy advisor, and your host, Lacy Stockton, answer your questions about keeping cool on this 100 degree day while still saving energy. And Jenna Rahm joins us from Chelan Riverwalk Park.
We chat about:
- What are easy ways I can stay cool that are low or no-cost?
- How much does running my AC impact my electric bill?
- How should I set my heat pump for energy savings? And should I use e-heat in the winter?
- How can I find out if I qualify for bill assistance?
- What are energy audits?
- How many heads should I get on my ductless heat pump?
- Why can I only get a rebate on some kinds of smart thermostats and not others?
- Do you recommend a tankless water heater? If not, what’s a good alternative?
If you have questions about energy-efficient home improvements and business upgrades, PUD rebates and incentives for local businesses, renewable energy, electric vehicles and more...
Join us on the next Power Hour - live on YouTube and Facebook, simultaneously. Subscribe to this channel to get notified when we go live next!
Also live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
Power Hour schedule: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
Our featured guest, Griselda Gonzalez, Chelan PUD energy conservation rep., and your host, Lacy Stockton, answer your questions about saving energy at home here in Chelan County.
In this episode we cover your questions like:
- What's the deal with appliance rebates?
- How can I finance my home improvements?
- Why is my bill high? And what can I do about it?
- What's a TSV?
- Does the PUD come and install new windows for me?
- How do I get my rebate?
- Can I get a rebate for a ductless mini-split if I already have a heat pump?
- Which contractors do you recommend?
- What should I consider before I install rooftop solar power on my house?
If you have questions about energy-efficient home improvements and business upgrades, Chelan PUD rebates and incentives for local businesses, renewable energy, electric vehicles and more...join us on the next Power Hour, Wednesday at 5:30 pm.
Live on Facebook: facebook.com/chelanpud
Power Hour schedule: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
Our featured guest, Scott Stanford, Chelan PUD commercial energy advisor, and your host, Lacy Stockton, answer your questions about saving energy at home and local businesses. And some other bonus questions, too!
In this episode, we cover your questions like:
- Energy-efficient windows: Do my vinyl windows qualify for a PUD rebate?
- What do I do about condensation?
- Should I charge my phone before going live?
- Which rebates are options for new construction?
- What’s so great about hybrid water heaters?
- What things can I DIY(do-it-yourself) and get a rebate on?
- Why doesn’t the PUD give incentives on tankless water heaters?
- How can I make my 1920’s home more comfortable?
- What do you recommend for air sealing and insulation of a new home?
- Does the PUD offer cash back on under-floor heating?
- Can renters get PUD rebates?
If you have questions about energy-efficient home improvements and business upgrades, PUD rebates and incentives for local businesses, renewable energy, electric vehicles and more...join us on the next Power Hour, Wednesday at 5:30 pm.
Power Hour schedule: chelanpud.org/powerhour
Chelan PUD rebates and incentives: chelanpud.org/save
What's coming to Chelan County on Wednesdays? Meet Griselda, Sergio, and Scott from Chelan PUD's energy solutions team to learn about the Power Hour with host, Lacy.