Lassen Municipal Utility District is nearing the completion of a major infrastructure upgrade designed to bolster the community’s power grid. The Skedaddle Project, with an estimated in-service date of December 2026, aims to improve the electric system’s reliability, a top priority for the district after a critical power failure in 2021.
The Skedaddle Project: A Response to a Community Crisis
The decision to move forward with the project was made on July 27th, 2021, at a time when the Dixie Fire was causing widespread power outages in Lassen County. During that crisis, residents experienced rolling blackouts after PG&E transmission lines were damaged and a backup power source failed. Concerned citizens filled the LMUD boardroom, urging the board to prioritize reliability. This community feedback led the board to approve the Skedaddle Project, despite post-COVID-19 supply chain price volatility.
General Manager Nick Dominguez noted the board’s forward-thinking helped minimize the project’s fiscal burden. He explained, “The board’s foresight to allocate reserves helped minimize the financial impact on customers.”
A Community-Owned Approach
As a community-owned utility, LMUD operates with a dual mandate: delivering dependable and cost-effective power. Dominguez explained, “Reliability ensures homes, businesses, and essential services can operate without interruption. Affordability ensures electricity remains accessible in our rural community, where every dollar counts.”
Unlike investor-owned utilities, LMUD is accountable to its customers, not shareholders.
The district emphasizes local control and transparency, with decisions made in open meetings guided by community input. This allows the utility to focus on long-term benefits rather than short-term profits. Dominguez added that this local governance allows LMUD to prioritize reliable service, affordable rates, and investments that strengthen the local economy.
Looking to the Future
The utility’s commitment to responsible planning and open communication is evident in its 4-year capital investment plan, which includes major infrastructure upgrades. LMUD encourages customers to participate in the decision-making process by attending monthly public board meetings, held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30p.m. in the LMUD boardroom.
“Together,” Dominguez said, “we’re building a stronger, more resilient future for Lassen County.”
