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Grant County PUD Considers Historic Agreement with Yakama Nation
May 14, 2007
EPHRATA, WA – Grant County PUD Commissioners are contemplating a mutually beneficial agreement with the Yakama Nation that will help the tribe meet the power needs of consumers on the Yakama Reservation, resolve remaining fish and wildlife issues between the parties, settle litigation on power allocation and lay out a process for joint development of new generating resources.
Under the agreement, the Yakama Nation and the tribe’s newly formed public utility, Yakama Power, would become a Priest Rapids Project power purchaser along with Grant PUD’s 22 existing purchasers. From 2007 to 2015, Grant PUD would market the power on behalf of the Yakama Nation. Through 2009, the allocation would be 20 average megawatts (aMW), 15 aMW from 2010 through 2015, declining to 10 aMW in 2016 through the remainder of the agreement. The annual value of this power allocation could run between $2 million and $8 million for the Yakama Nation.
In recognition of the value of this power allocation, Grant PUD will receive rights to 75 percent of the renewable energy credits for the first 75 average megawatts of any renewable generation project developed by the tribe. Grant PUD will also have right of first refusal to jointly develop new generation projects that will help meet the utility’s unprecedented load growth. Possible projects include cogeneration at Yakama Forest Products, hydroelectric generation at the Cle Elum Dam, wind development on or near the Yakama Reservation and expansion, development and rehabilitation of the generation facilities on the Wapato Irrigation Project. The net value of these elements is expected to be comparable to the power allocation.
The agreement will formalize additional cooperative work related to natural resources issues surrounding Grant PUD’s licensing of the Priest Rapids Project, specifically management plans for Pacific Lamprey and White Sturgeon. The Yakama Nation had previously signed on to the Salmon and Steelhead Agreement and the Hanford Reach Fall Chinook Protection Program.
“This agreement is a significant undertaking for the people of Grant County,” said Grant PUD Commission President Randy Allred. “We are carefully evaluating the costs and benefits of this proposed agreement before bringing it forward for decision.”
If approved, the agreement will extend throughout the duration of the new Priest Rapids Project license order issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The new license is anticipated in 2007.
Those interested in obtaining a copy of the agreement can call Sarah Morford at (509) 754-6633. Comments on this issue can be submitted via e-mail to commissioners@gcpud.org. Commissioners will accept public comment during their May 29 meeting in anticipation of acting on the agreement on June 4. Meetings begin at 1 p.m. at the Grant PUD Headquarters Building, 30 C Street SW, Ephrata.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sarah Morford
(509) 754-6633 / smorfor@gcpud.org
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