THE HERALD   EVERETT, WASHINGTON
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Published: Thursday, September 13, 2012, 12:01 a.m.
PUD data center


Workers always key to efficiency

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In the Aug. 28 Herald article, "New way to track outages," the PUD is providing added space for the new data center to track and respond to outages using new systems, automated devices and gadgets managers refer to as being "key to getting the power back on in the shortest amount of time."

PUD managers that contributed to the story left out the fact that from a proven historical perspective, it is the PUD line crews and dispatchers working together with their heightened knowledge of the PUD's vast rural service territory, along with skills these line workers acquire in their daily work experiences traveling about Snohomish and Island counties maintaining the power grid, that is the real key to getting the power back on safely in the shortest amount of time.

Not to say these technologies and gadgetry will not prove to be an asset, but consider the respect and pride PUD crews have earned in the eyes of PUD customers over the many years as the real heroes in getting the power back on in major storm events before these latest computer marvels appeared. I believe PUD Manager Steve Klein agrees and would also agree it was an oversight not to emphasize the significance of the PUD lineman and their crews. I think we can all agree, it is the human element first in conjunction with software marvels, that help make for successes we value in this world.

Lynn Claughton
Everett/Tulalip

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Herald Editorial Board

Peter Jackson, Opinion Editor: pjackson@heraldnet.com (@PeterJHerald)

Carol MacPherson, Editorial Writer: cmacpherson@heraldnet.com

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