GCPUD Press Release

Grant PUD Repairing Storm Power Outages

December 15, 2006

EPHRATA - Storm related power outages in Grant County are being restored by Grant County PUD line crews and contract crews. High nighttime winds early Friday morning, Dec. 15, caused substantial damage to Grant PUD’s electrical system in the Quincy area. The high winds snapped at least 60 power poles. Damage to high voltage power poles and lines affected power service to substations in the Quincy area. Power was being restored in Quincy throughout the afternoon on Friday. The Crescent Bar resort area along the Columbia River near Quincy was also out of power on Friday with severe damage to power lines. Restoration was expected late in the day. Winds in excess of 80 miles per hour caused limited electrical power service problems in south and central Grant County with primarily individual customer power outages being reported.

Safety was the first requirement for repairs in the Quincy area with the need to remove downed poles and power lines from highways, roads and farm entrances. The priority for repairs in western Grant County near Quincy and Crescent Bar then centered on restoration of high-voltage transmission lines, followed by work on damaged distribution system lines. The majority of customers were expected to be back in service that first day. A few customers may experience multi-day outages. Crews will be working around the clock to restore service. Grant County PUD is cautioning customers to consider any downed power lines as potentially energized and dangerous. Report downed power lines or damaged power poles to Grant County PUD.

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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