Kristin Masteller, Public Relations, Mason County PUD 1, 360-877-5249
Mike Paoli, Public Affairs, 509-377-4164
RICHLAND, Wash. – Sen. Tim Sheldon, Energy Northwest executive board member and former Mason County Public Utility District No. 1 commissioner, will receive the Northwest Public Power Association’s
John M. George public service award. The award will be presented at the association’s 75th annual conference in Anchorage, Alaska in May.
The award recognizes policymaking officers of member systems that have demonstrated remarkable service to public power. Sheldon’s public service positions as a public utility district commissioner, county commissioner, state representative and now as state senator, have provided opportunities for him to promote the benefits and importance of public power and defend positions on collective energy, water and sewer regulation issues.
“Tim has been a longtime friend and advocate of Washington state’s public utilities and has been intricately involved in the public power community during the last several decades,” said Mark Reddemann, Energy Northwest CEO.
Sheldon was appointed to the Energy Northwest executive board in 2003 by the agency’s board of directors, and has been the committee chair of the Administrative, Energy and Members Services committee since 2006.
Sheldon served as a PUD commissioner at Mason County PUD 1 from 1999 to 2002.
“Tim personifies the ideal candidate that has outstanding industry and personal achievements during his career and involvement with NWPPA and the public power community,” said Karl Denison, PUD board president. “He is a great ally and friend of PUD 1, Energy Northwest and public power.”
Sheldon’s public service record extends well beyond his public utility district and Energy Northwest, including service as Washington state senator and vice chair of the Senate’s Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Committee. 2015 marks his 25th year as a Washington State legislator.
About NWPPA
NWPPA is an international not-for-profit trade association representing and serving nearly 150 customer-owned, locally controlled utilities in the Western U.S. and Canada. The Association also serves approximately 300 associate members across the U.S. and Canada who are allied with the electric utility industry.
About Mason County PUD 1
Founded in 1935, Mason County PUD No. 1 was the first public utility district formed in Washington State. PUD 1 provides non-for-profit water, sewer and electric services to approximately 7,100 customers in both Mason and Jefferson counties. The District’s mission is to provide customers with safe, reliable and locally-controlled utility services with the highest possible value at the lowest possible cost.
About Energy Northwest Energy Northwest develops, owns and operates a diverse mix of electricity generating resources, including hydro, solar and wind projects – and the Northwest’s only nuclear power plant. These projects provide enough reliable, affordable and environmentally respon¬sible energy to power more than a million homes each year, and that carbon-free electricity is provided at the cost of generation. As a Washington state joint operating agency, Energy Northwest comprises 27 public power member utilities from across the state serving more than 1.5 million ratepayers. The agency continually explores new generation projects to meet its members’ needs. Energy Northwest –
www.energy-northwest.com.