On Oct. 20, while in a debate broadcasted and recorded by KONP, Ken Hays, a candidate for PUD Commissioner, made the following statement singling me out by name: “I’ve also heard lead engineer John Purvis say publicly that he does not believe in battery storage, and the current battery technology, or that it will ever go anywhere, which of course is absurd.”
I believe this is a demonstrably false characterization of my position. I have never made a statement remotely similar to what was attributed to me.
On the PUD public website is a presentation titled “Future Power Supply Options & CETA” dated Sept. 14, 2020, as is an audio recording of the board meeting. Starting at presentation page 76 is my discussion of near future financial viability of a proposed $9.6 million large scale battery project. On my recommendation, the board authorized a restricted account to fund the project as battery costs decline to the point of financial viability.
Additional funds were added to the account in subsequent budgets. The planned PUD battery project was originated by me and is clear evidence of my position on batteries, as are other recorded statements made to the board.
During my 39-year energy systems career in the U.S. Navy and public utilities, I have never publicly commented on false statements made in political campaigns.
But the recent disparaging and damaging statement falsely attributed to me and broadcast to the community is far outside of any acceptable boundaries, even for politics.
John Purvis
Sequim