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Powering the Future –
Grant PUD Energy Resource Planning Focus of Public Meeting
September 25, 2008

EPHRATA, WA –
There was standing room only at a meeting held on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at the Moses Lake Fire Department to discuss future energy resources proposed for development by Grant PUD in the coming decade. 

Kevin Nordt, director of power management, walked the audience through a detailed presentation on Grant PUD’s current energy resource portfolio, projected future energy demand, and recommendations for future resource development.  The presentation provided insight into the utility’s development of an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which serves as a guide for future resource acquisition activities.  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 submitted the IRP to the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development in August. 

Grant PUD recommendations include expanded conservation and energy efficiency efforts such as a solar hot water heater program.  Additional recommendations include the development of other clean energy resources, such as hydrokinetic energy on irrigation canals and biomass energy utilizing Grant County agricultural waste.  The utility has a partnership with the Yakama Tribe, which has the potential of additional biomass fuel resources.  A natural gas cogeneration plant for the county was also recommended.

The program summarized that Grant PUD’s intent is to maintain an active ongoing resource planning effort with continuous public input.  The utility seeks to maintain a balanced portfolio that provides a flexible, diverse, clean energy resource base with cost stability for customer-owners.  Grant PUD Commissioner Tom Flint noted, “Grant PUD has a long history of providing reliable, cost-effective, environmentally-friendly power.  The IRP will provide additional tools to optimize the delicate balance between cost and risk in meeting our need for developing additional power sources.”
Many of the 70 attendees left behind response forms requesting Grant PUD stay in touch with them regarding the utility’s resource planning efforts.  To submit comments or learn more about the presentation and IRP, insert the following link into your web browser: http://www.gcpud.org/resources/resdocs/irp.htm

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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:
Kathy Kiefer
(509) 754-6625 / kkiefer@gcpud.org