In the Dabob Cove community, the PUD just completed the underground placement of over a half-mile of pole-carried power lines, an ongoing source of storm-caused power outages. The PUD saw a chance to remove this perennial problem by burying the lines, but, as the line placement was to be down the center of our access road, this project had the potential for considerable disruption to the community. As much as we understood the necessity of the project, and looked forward to the results, we were dreading the undertaking. But our fears were completely unwarranted.

From the start, PUD’s Scott Bancroft, the Operations Director, who typically answers his phone before the second ring, and Josh Garlock, the Electrical Superintendent, made our community their top priority. They coordinated seamlessly with their contractors to cover every contingency, even providing our residents safe transport through the construction zone, and providing an alternate route of passage, completely circumventing the construction zone for as much of the project as possible.

The courtesy, proficiency, and professionalism of the contracting teams — IDGAF, Inc. for the trenching and overall construction; and Palouse Power, LLC for the electrical work and pole removal — were on display throughout the project. The extraordinarily rainy spring was a hindrance to the trenching efforts, but IDGAF worked diligently to minimize the weather’s effects on the schedule, and both crews kept us informed of schedule changes, enabling the community to plan and adjust accordingly.

The PUD and their contractors included the community at every turn, even inviting us to the project’s final walk-thru. Far from the agonizing month most of us anticipated, our community was afforded the opportunity to witness Washington’s best on full display, day after day. And we now have an electrical supply that’s impervious to the winter storms.

William Power
QUILCENE