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Integrated Resource Plan Analyzes Energy Supply and Demand in Grant County
August 18, 2008

EPHRATA, WA – As with economics, the law of supply and demand dictates energy practices in the United States. Grant PUD commissioners today received an update on staff analysis of future electrical supply options related to increasing energy demands in Grant County.

Grant PUD analysts incorporated electrical load forecasts into a newly developed Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). Meant to serve as the utility’s guide for obtaining power resources to meet future needs, the IRP meets requirements set by House Bill 1010 and provides the foundation for future resource planning required by implementation of the state’s Energy Independence Act (I-937).

Grant PUD analysts create regular reports containing calculations of anticipated power needs measured against expected supply. Going forward, the IRP will enhance this process by considering additional factors such as numerous supply-side resource options as well as demand-side resource opportunities set against the backdrop of Grant County’s expected increased power needs. While the clean, reliable hydropower generated by Grant County’s Priest Rapids Project dams continues to be the county’s primary energy source, additional resources will be required in the coming years to meet the needs of Grant PUD’s customers.

The plan supports the careful examination of all supply-side resource alternatives while recommending emphasis be given to the evaluation of biomass, hydrokinetics, natural gas, nuclear, cogeneration and clean coal technologies. The IRP also recommends ramping up demand-side resources efforts in conservation and energy efficiency measures. The Grant PUD IRP is a dynamic plan that will be modified to meet changing energy market conditions and evolving technological advances.

“Grant PUD has a long history of providing reliable, cost-effective power in an environmentally friendly atmosphere,” explained Commission President Tom Flint. “The Integrated Resource Plan will provide additional tools to optimize the delicate balance between cost and risk in meeting our need for developing additional power sources.”

Public utilities such as Grant PUD are required to file their IRP with the State of Washington’s Office of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) by September 1, 2008. Additional information about the CTED and Washington state energy policy can be found at http://www.cted.wa.gov/. County residents are encouraged to attend a town hall meeting to be scheduled soon for a mid-September date. The town hall meeting will include an in-depth discussion on recommendations contained in Grant PUD’s IRP and explanation of resources identified as optimal.

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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:
Dorothy Harris
(509) 793-1516 / dharris@gcpud.org