Priest Rapids Project
Grant PUD is fortunate to own two, large hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River - Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams. These facilities, licensed together as the Priest Rapids Project, make up the second largest non-federal hydroelectric project in the country. With the ability to produce nearly 2,000 megawatts of electricity – enough to power the city of Seattle – the Priest Rapids Project’s clean, renewable hydroelectricity powers Grant County and millions of homes and businesses across the Northwest.
On October 21, 1954, the Federal Power Commission (now the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or FERC) issued a permit to Grant PUD authorizing the construction of the Priest Rapids Project. Priest Rapids Dam began operation in 1959 and Wanapum Dam went on-line in 1963.
The original construction of the Priest Rapids Project was financed through the issuance of revenue bonds, with the citizens of Grant County assuming all the construction risk. Once the dams were operational, power sales contracts with regional utilities provided for repayment of the bonds. Grant PUD was able to build the Priest Rapids Project without county, state or federal funding.
In 2008, after an extensive relicensing process, Grant PUD received a new, 44-year license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to continue operating Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams. A new license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission assures that the people of Grant County – and the millions of customers served by the power produced at the Priest Rapids Project – can continue enjoying the benefits of hydro electricity produced by a publicly-owned utility. Grant PUD produces nearly 25 percent of the non-federal hydropower in Washington state.
Grant PUD employees work to maximize energy production balanced with continual efforts to enhance fish and other resources. Working collaboratively with experts from federal and state agencies, Native American tribes and other stakeholders to develop protection and enhancement programs, Grant PUD continues responsible stewardship of Priest Rapids Project resources. As part of the commitment to safeguard these resources and public use of the Priest Rapids Project, Grant PUD complies with local, state and federal regulations.
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