The Power of Local Governance
For nearly 40 years, the power to shape our community’s energy future has been entrusted to the people who make Lassen County their home. As 1 of the many publicly owned utilities across the state and the nation, Lassen Municipal Utility District (LMUD) operates under the guidance of locally elected leaders who make decisions for their neighbors, friends, and fellow community members. The board governs according to the California Municipal Utilities District Act, a framework that has empowered communities like ours to control their own destiny for more than 100 years.
This past November, as the nation went to the polls to elect those who will serve our federal, state, and local governments, the voters of Lassen County also elected 3 community members to the LMUD board. David Ernaga, Fred Nage,l and Daren Hagata, each longtime LMUD board member, were reelected to serve four-year terms.
The most significant advantage of having community members serve as board members is the board makes decisions based on what is best for our customers. They understand the concerns of our community and are in touch with issues that affect all of us. This form of governance sets LMUD apart from investor-owned utilities, which focus on making a profit and returning dividends to shareholders. LMUD and the board’s focus is to serve our community. LMUD’s bottom line is defined by financial health and community service, not profits.
This month, the LMUD team and I are attending legislative events to meet with state and federal lawmakers in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. We will discuss important issues, such as grid reliability, affordable energy for our community, and protecting the local control of the district. When it comes to powering our community, the LMUD Board of Directors understands 1 size does not fit all. Educating and informing state and federal officials ensures they know what issues are important to the communities we serve.
I want to congratulate our incoming board members and welcome them back to the board for another term. Their dedication and service to our community is sincerely appreciated.
As always, if you are interested in how your utility is being run and the decisions that affect you, I encourage you to attend an LMUD board meeting. Meetings are typically held on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the LMUD board room at 65 South Roop Street. This month’s meeting is on Thursday, February 20.
Nick Dominguez
General Manager