GCPUD Press Release

December 29, 2006

Grant PUD Budget Adopted for 2007
Commission approves $469.8 million for operations and capital projects

EPHRATA, WA – Grant County PUD Commissioners approved the utility’s 2007 budget on Dec. 26. The $469.8 million budget for 2007 is up by 14 percent over the 2006 budget. No rate increases for 2007 are included in this budget.

Included in the 2007 budget are significant dollars for work planned in the following areas:

On-going work to replace turbines at Wanapum Dam. Two of the ten turbines have been successfully replaced with advanced-design turbines. Work is currently underway to replace the third unit.
Electric system work in response to customer demand and growth in Grant County.
Anticipating receipt of the new Priest Rapids Project license in 2007, the budget reflects costs to implement the requirements that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) are expected to include in the new license.

“While this budget is up over last year, Commissioners are pleased that electric rates are anticipated to remain stable as the utility accomplishes the work outlined for 2007,” said Randy Allred, Commission President.

Grant PUD’s 2007 budget of $469,796,869 breaks down into three utility systems: the Electric System at $246,449,018, the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Development at $85,249,341 and the Wanapum Hydroelectric Development at $138,098,510. Included in the Electric System total is $143 million budgeted for purchased power.
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Grant County Public Utility District is a Washington state municipal corporation that began electric service in 1942. Owned by the people it serves, Grant PUD generates and sells electricity to Grant County residents and millions of customers throughout Central Washington and the Pacific Northwest. The Priest Rapids Project, comprised of Priest Rapids and Wanapum Dams, produces nearly 2,000 megawatts of clean, renewable and reliable electricity – enough to supply a city the size of Seattle. A leader in science based technology; Grant PUD is committed to finding effective measures for the protection, mitigation and enhancement of salmon, steelhead and other natural and cultural resources.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rita Bjork
(509) 766-2530 / rbjork@gcpud.org