GCPUD Press Release

Resource Development Options Reviewed by Grant PUD Commissioners

November 22, 2006

EPHRATA -- With customer demand for electrical power on the rise, Grant PUD Commissioners are working to identify power resources well into the future. A November 22 workshop regarding resource development offered Commissioners a wide range of power options to consider.

The intended outcome of the workshop is an integrated resource plan to help develop a long-term strategy that provides the best mix of costs and risks when acquiring additional power supplies. Power demand forecasts at Grant PUD show current increased power requirements for customers continuing to rise at a steep level until 2011.

While pondering the many choices available to meet growing power demand, Grant PUD Commissioners are also reviewing a proposed budget for 2007 that will be adopted before year end. The budget forecast includes no recommended rate increases through 2012.

“Grant PUD Commissioners focus on the PUD’s primary goal – to provide long-term, low-cost, reliable power to utility customers,” said Grant PUD General Manager, Tim Culbertson. “Their strategy is to utilize and maximize the full capabilities and value of Grant PUD’s power generating assets. In addition, they plan to explore new power supply options for diversification and consider various ‘green power’ options.”

The depth, quality and price of power resourcesavailable to Grant PUD are the envy of other utilities in the region. The bulk of local power demand will be met by Grant PUD’s two large hydroelectric developments on the Columbia River – Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams. Commissioners expect a new 50-year operating license for these dams from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission early in 2007.

Grant PUD has the full output of two smaller hydro power plants on local irrigation canals, a diesel generating station in Moses Lake, a portion of the Nine Canyon Wind Project near Kennewick, a power purchase contract with the Bonneville Power Administration and regional power market purchases.

New advanced-design turbines being installed at Wanapum Dam now, and planned for Priest Rapids Dam in the future, will increase power generation from the Priest Rapids Project. In addition, Grant PUD recently filed a preliminary permit to study the feasibility of constructing a small hydropower plant near Cle Elum. Studies continue for potential wind generation sites in Grant County.

Commissioners were briefed on the potential of new power generation technologies being considered in the Northwest. These include: coal gasification, biomass, pyrolysis, waste digesters, solar, various wind energy projects, incremental hydropower and a renewed interest in nuclear power. Each of these power options was discussed in terms of advantages/disadvantages, cost, risk and timing.

Initiative 937, which was passed in the statewide election, is a consideration for decisions on renewable energy. The initiative will require large Washington utilities, including Grant PUD, to develop renewable energy sources by 2020.

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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:
Gary Garnant
(509) 754-5027 / ggarnan@gcpud.org