GCPUD Press Release

Grant PUD Repairing Damaged Electrical Equipment
Crews work to restore power to customers following windstorm

January 8, 2007

EPHRATA – On the heels of the severe windstorm that tore through Washington state in mid-December, yet another wind storm snapped power poles in the Royal City and George areas. Approximately 1775 customers were without power following the storm. By 9:00 a.m. Monday the customer outage count was down to 55. Grant PUD line crews are working around the clock to make electrical system repairs and restore service to affected customers.

High winds Sunday afternoon, Jan. 8, caused substantial damage to Grant PUD’s electrical system in the Royal City and George areas. The high winds snapped at least 100 power poles. Grant PUD crews were working Sunday evening and into Monday on areas outside the towns of Royal City and George. Specific locations included: west of Beverly-Burke Road to the Columbia River between Road 2 NW and Road 15 SW; west of Beverly-Burke Road along Frenchman Hills Road to Road H SW; south of Frenchman Hills Road to Road 11 SW between Road M SW and Road I SW; and south of Road U SW between Road M SW and Road K SW.

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.

Safety was the first requirement for repairs with the need to remove downed poles and power lines from highways, roads and farm entrances. 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