History

History of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District

The Truckee Electric Company, owned by Cecil E. Edmunds, a private generation with electric services to a small number of people in the downtown area, operated by a water wheel on the Truckee River. Following a five-year drought, the Truckee River had limited water to turn the water wheel. Coupled with a desire to expand services, residents drew up a petition calling for a special district formation to buy electricity from the downstream generators owned by Sierra Pacific Power Company. In 1927, Nevada County received the incorporated paper from the State of California. In accordance with the provisions in the Public Utility District Act, Truckee Public Utility District was formed, with Cecil E. Edmunds filling the first General Manager's role.

In the first 20 years, the Truckee Public Utility District served a few dozen houses and shops in the downtown area contracting with Sierra Pacific Power Company to maintain lines. Not long after, Truckee's evolving community looked to the Truckee PUD to support other local government needs. During the 1940s, the District began purchasing private water companies that purveyed water from surrounding underground springs, supplying water to Truckee residents.

As Truckee grew, so did the newer generations of families with a need for water and power. As the most significant government landowner of the time, Truckee PUD provided essential community resources like public school sites and recreational activities. Using the proceeds to expand the water and electric services and environmental conservation for public resources, the District embarked on drilling wells to provide water. In the late 1950s, the District helped to develop and organize recreation for the community. The General Manager, several Board of Directors, and community members planned and built a community golf course on the property south of the Truckee River. Today, known as Ponderosa Golf Course, was a private/public partnership that has stood the test of time. In the 1960s, the District supported residents in forming a separate recreation and park district.

With the completion of Interstate 80 (I-80) in 1964, and a new agriculture station moving from the Lincoln Highway (Donner Pass Road) to I-80, Truckee PUD identified the old agriculture station for the administrative and operating headquarters. With expansion and tourism evident, the District borrowed money from Rural Electrification Administration during the 1960s to expand the electric system and to build the Truckee substation. Truckee substation is still in operation in the heart of Truckee. The District purchased the Donner Lake distribution facilities from Sierra Pacific Power Company and changed its name to the Truckee Donner Public Utility District.

Of notable interest in the 1970s, the Tahoe Donner developed with its water and electric infrastructure amounted to five times the lines; both water and electric customers doubled.

Since 1980, the District has sought alternative energy sources and pursued hydroelectric plants at Boca and Stampeded dams and joining UAMPS to secure the Public Power Model. The community of Hirschdale was annexed and welcomed to the District. Glenshire Mutual and the Donner Lake Water system were incorporated into the Truckee Main Water system, connecting all Truckee communities.

The District occupies 45.5 square miles, beginning four miles from the northern border just beyond Alder Creek Road, south to Placer County, and 11 miles from the western shore of Donner Lake eastward to the rim of Boca Dam and the Hirschdale community.

Authorizing Statute

Electric Territory

Water Territory

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