Truckee Donner Public Utility District is proud of the work we accomplished in 2025. From capital and maintenance projects that enhance TDPUD’s ability to serve the community reliably and safely, to providing new services and benefits to customers, to the different and unexpected ways TDPUD shows up in the community, there’s plenty to acknowledge. Take a look at some of the major projects and initiatives we championed this year.

Capital Projects & Infrastructure Maintenance

 Northwoods Wildfire Mitigation Pilot Project

TDPUD installed new wildfire mitigation equipment in an area of Northwoods Boulevard in Tahoe Donner, to verify that this equipment could be useful to our electric operations. The pilot program included installation of ductile iron power poles, crossarms made of a composite of fiberglass and plastic, and covered conductor wire, which encapsulates power lines in an insulating material to minimize the chance of igniting a wildfire due to contact with tree branches, animals, or other items. The pilot program targeted key evacuation routes in partnership with the Town of Truckee and Truckee Fire Protection District priorities.

Martis Valley Substation Modernization Project

Martis Valley Substation is one of the four substations that connect TDPUD’s distribution system to energy resource transmission lines. It is more than 40 years old and required a rebuild and upgrade to ensure continued safe and reliable operation. Phase one was completed this year, and included grading, installation of conduits, vaults and boxes, ground grid improvements, concrete foundation work and delivery of the new modern substation control facility. The project will be completed in 2026 and will significantly improve service capacity, reliability and safety.

Sierra Meadows & Tahoe Donner Pipeline Replacements

TDPUD replaced 5,800 linear ft. of aging water pipeline this year. Pipeline replacement projects are one of the many ways TDPUD ensures that its system can reliably deliver high-quality water to its customers. These areas were chosen to be replaced this year based on the age of the existing pipelines, assessment of water loss data and the benefits of this capital investment to the overall water system.

Olympic Heights Valve Flushing Project

This year, the water department made valve maintenance a major focus across the whole system, and specifically tackled a flushing project in Olympic Heights to improve water quality in that zone. Valves control the flow of water, allowing TDPUD to isolate sections of the system and change water direction, making it important to service this vital piece of equipment.

Benefitting Customers

Power Cost Adjustments

In 2025, TDPUD’s Board authorized energy billing credits totaling more than $2 million back to customers through Power Cost Adjustments. A PCA credit is issued to all electric customers when actual power costs in the previous quarter are less than TDPUD budgeted for, and a PCA charge occurs when the opposite happens. In 2025, thanks to solid planning and favorable energy markets, all four quarterly PCAs were credits. Which in total reduced average electric bills for the year by 5%, lowering the average monthly residential bill by $7, and more than $83 for the year.

New Account Management Tools

TDPUD launched new tools to assist customers who pay their bills in person. With TDPUD’s new payment kiosk located outside at the TDPUD headquarters, customers can now manage their accounts outside of TDPUD’s business hours. TDPUD also launched third-party payments with CVS and 7-11, so customers can pay their TDPUD bills at those businesses as well.

Community Outreach & Programming

Where Does Your Truckee Mountain Filtered Water Come From?

TDPUD had two educational efforts focused drinking from our local basin water this year. We partnered with the Town of Truckee on creating “Truckee Mountain Filtered,” an initiative that encourages people to drink tap water by promoting the high-quality of Truckee’s drinking water. Additionally, we had our “Where Does Your Water Come From?” campaign, which aimed to teach customers about what makes Truckee’s precious groundwater resource unique, and all the work it takes to deliver that water to your faucet.

Charging Futures Forward

In 2025, TDPUD expanded its Charging Futures Forward initiative, which focuses on connecting with the next generation in our community and supporting students in its service territory. New this year, TDPUD launched its “Future Workforce Scholarship Program,” which provides scholarships to local students interested in pursuing college, trade school or vocational certifications programs, specifically related to the diverse skillsets needed in the utility industry. We also expanded to new school programs, including participating in middle and high school class projects, hosting facility tours and attending the Truckee Elementary career day.

Water Conservation Outreach & Education Events

In the spring, TDPUD invited the community to learn about the Martis Valley Groundwater Management Plan update. We also held an event in the fall targeted at local landscapers and nurseries to introduce new, upcoming California water-use regulations.

Behind-the-Scenes Wins

Emergency Operations Plan & Training

TDPUD’s updated Emergency Action Plan reached final approval after months of internal collaboration, and TDPUD completed another round of advanced Emergency Operations Center training, further improving staff readiness, response and coordination during emergency events.

Preemptive Power Shutoff Program

This year, TDPUD developed preemptive power shutoff protocols for extreme situations such as catastrophic wildfire danger. We adopted new technologies for weather and wildfire risk modeling, as well as advanced overhead electric grid monitoring, to supply the data that will be used to determine when a power shutoff is recommended to keep the community safe and to help restore power as quickly and safely as possible.