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Grant County PUD Approves Historic Agreement with Yakama Nation
June 4, 2007

EPHRATA, WA – Grant County PUD Commissioners today approved a historic agreement with the Yakama Nation that will form a long-term partnership with benefits to both organizations. 

“This agreement finalizes several years of negotiation,” said Grant PUD Commission President Randy Allred.  “After careful consideration, the Commission believes that the agreement is in the best interest of the people of Grant County.  We are pleased to begin a new relationship with the Yakama Nation that follows in the footsteps of our relations with other tribes.  In addition, we continue to have a special and unique relationship with the Wanapum, who live on the shore next to Priest Rapids Dam.”

Under the agreement, the Yakama Nation and the tribe’s newly formed public utility, Yakama Power, will 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.  Like other power purchasers, the Yakama Nation will pay project cost for power received.  Costs of the power allocation will be split among the power purchasers.

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 receive the first opportunity 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.

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.

A ceremony marking the signing of the agreement between the Yakama Nation and Grant PUD will be held on June 11, 2007 at 12:00 p.m. in Toppenish, Wash.

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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:
Sarah Morford

Grant County Public Utility District News Release © 2007