PASCO -- The Washington PUD Association will be having its annual conference in Pasco, starting Wednesday.
Almost 200 representatives from public utility districts from across the state will be visiting the Tri-Cities for the three-day event. The conference will be at the Pasco Red Lion.
The conference will feature speakers, association committee meetings and the annual banquet.
Speakers include Congressman Doc Hastings; Stuart Elway, Elway Research; and Steve Wright, BPA administrator.
The association will celebrate its 75th anniversary at the banquet, with the WPUDA president Jeff Hall, Benton PUD commissioner and Prosser resident, as the master of ceremony.
The conference also will honor 2011 award recipients, including:
-- Walkley Educational Scholarship: Nicholas Sargent, Richland High School senior and son of Franklin PUD employee.
-- Heritage Life Society: Individuals who have retired or no longer working at a PUD and nominated by their peers in recognition of a lifetime contribution to the interests of public power and water in our region. This year's inductees include Chuck Hall, former commissioner for Franklin PUD.
The annual conference generally rotates to locations around the state with public power utility districts. Benton PUD and Franklin PUD serve the Tri-Cities area.
