This election for the PUD commissioner is an opportunity to snag one of the most experienced energy consultants in the state of Washington, Oregon and the west.

His resume is extensive. David McClain was part of Cal Energy which developed geothermal energy power plants in California, Nevada and Utah, which merged into MidAmerican, one of the largest utilities in the country where he worked on wind, geothermal and thermal power projects. He then started with EverPower Wind Holdings Company, which developed wind power projects all over the United States, where he held the positions of vice president and senior director of development.

In addition to his extensive qualifications in power plant and transmission line development, he has been involved in the regional power planning dialogue for over 20 years. He was a founding Director of Renewable Northwest, an energy advocacy group committed to accelerating the transition to renewable sources. He was a member of Renewable Northwest’s Board of Directors for 15 years and was a strong advocate for maintaining the hydroelectric power system that supplies our region while expanding the renewable energy supply. David McClain was on the Board of Directors of the Northwest and Intermountain Power Producers Coalition, an organization of independent power producers who built and operate thermal and renewable power resources throughout the western states.

In addition to his experience in building renewable energy and gas-powered power plants, he has built high-voltage overhead and underground power lines through forested, mountainous terrains similar to Pacific County. He has negotiated with Bonneville Power and several other regional utilities, on power sales and transmission agreements.

This election is a rare chance to bring to our board of commissioners a level of experience and knowledge that few utilities throughout the west would have.

If you ever want to talk to him, you will find him and his family at the Ilwaco Food Bank every Friday, helping feed our community. A peninsula resident for 17 years, he cares about Pacific County, and he will use his experience to meet the future and keep your power on and the rates low.

JOHN HART

Ocean Park