GCPUD Press Release

Grant PUD Crews Working Non-Stop on Storm Damage Repairs

December 16, 2006

EPHRATA - Grant County PUD line crews and contractors have been working non-stop on damage to electrical equipment caused by winds in excess of 80 miles per hour that struck Grant County early Friday morning. Major electric system damage occurred in the west portion of the county surrounding the city of Quincy.

Pole replacements and power line repairs restored high-voltage power service to substations in Quincy restoring power to most of the city by late afternoon Friday.

Grant PUD crews are concentrating their work today in those areas outside the city of Quincy where power continues to be out. Specific locations include: north of Quincy for areas north of Road Q and 11 NW; south of Quincy in the area of Road Q from Road 8.5 to Road 5.5 NW; and north of Highway 28 along Road S NW. The resort community of Crescent Bar, five miles west of Quincy, continues to be without power this morning.

Customers living outside the above described areas and still without power are asked to call Grant PUD to report their outage. Please call 754-0500 or 1-800-422-3199.

In the Quincy area, at least 60 power poles were snapped off at the ground by high winds. Safe removal of poles and lines from roads and farm entrances was followed by restoration of high-voltage transmission lines needed to deliver power to substations in the Quincy area.

Single rural homes and farms north and south of Quincy may be without power for several days with complete pole and line replacements needed in some locations.

Grant PUD reminds customers to consider any downed power lines as potentially energized and dangerous. Immediately report downed power lines or damaged power poles to Grant PUD for repair.

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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) 754-5027 or (509)750-4280 / rbjork@gcpud.org