Healdsburg Mayor Gary Plass this week received the highest award from the Northern California Power Agency.
Plass, Commission Chairman of the NCPA, received the “Spirit of Public Power Award” in recognition of his representation of Healdsburg as a member of the Northern California Power Agency, and his contribution to the causes of public power.
The award was presented at a recent gathering in Monterey.
While he was chairman of the board of NCPA, Plass’ greatest accomplishment was the construction and dedication of the Lodi Energy Center, currently the cleanest and most efficient gas-fired combined cycle power plant in the nation.
The 300 megawatt Lodi Energy Center is the first facility of its kind in the country to offer modern ‘Quick Start’ technology, which will allow for greater use of intermittent renewable energy resources such as wind and solar, and provide power quickly and inexpensively to serve the needs of energy customers, including residents of Healdsburg.
Plass’ work helps ensure that the needs of the City of Healdsburg, as well as all the cities that are NCPA members, are protected and that reliable and affordable sources of electrical power are guaranteed to their customers, according to a prepared statement from the NCPA.
Plass served as a Healdsburg police officer -- retiring at the rank of sergeant -- for 28 years before being elected to the Healdsburg City Council, where he has served for the last eight years.
Plass served NCPA as Chairman of the Legislative and Regulatory Committee where he represented the interests of Healdsburg in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento in numerous meetings with members of Congress, state legislators, and federal and state regulators.
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