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Commission recap, 10/25/2022

Grant PUD's hydro plants produce a million megawatt-hours more in 2022 than 2021 An emphasis on teamwork and putting resources to highest priority work has helped Grant PUD generate over a million more megawatt-hours of power in 2022 than it produced in 2021, Ben Pearson, Senior Manager of Hydro Generation explained during Power Production's third ...

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Commission recap, 10/11/2022 — Inflation to add estimated $26.6M to 2023 budget

Highest inflation in a generation adds to capital, other costs "Generational inflation" is having an impact on Grant PUD's financial planning and is reflected in the 2023 budget, which was presented to the commissioners and members of the public during a budget hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 11. John Mertlich, Senior Manager of Financial Planning & A...

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Commission summary, 9/27/2022 — 2023 draft budget; evolving industry rate; more...

​Inflation has an impact on Grant PUD's 2023 budget Grant PUD is not immune to the same inflationary pressures affecting the rest of the U.S. economy. During a presentation regarding the proposed 2023 budget, John Mertlich, senior manager of Financial Planning and Analysis, said that inflation is the most significant reason the 2023 budget is highe...

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The Archaeology Days event is back!

Oct. 25-26 at the Wanapum Heritage Center Archaeology Days is back to mix learning with fun at the Wanapum Heritage Center after a two-year hiatus during the COVID pandemic. Kids have their own day, Oct. 25, for some hands-on, kid-friendly learning about the customs and crafts of native, Columbia Plateau people, as well as area geology, river ...

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Commission summary, 9/13/2022 — Mastodon fossil sends jaws dropping around commission table. This and more...

"Now for some fun. Show-and-Tell time," Brett Lenz, Grant PUD manager of Cultural Resources told commissioners Tuesday, after he finished what is usually a very routine and subdued quarterly business report. He reached under the table where commissioners were gathered, pulled out a black backpack, reached inside and withdrew part of the toothy jawb...

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Explore Hanford's atomic field… and its secrets

New exhibit at the Wanapum Heritage Center runs through Jan. 15, 2023 MATTAWA —Journey through the Hanford Reach via photography, sound and video to delve into its atomic histories and secrets that enshroud them. The Wanapum Heritage Center's newest exhibit, "Hanford Reach: In the Atomic Field" will take you on that journey from the convenience of ...

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Commission summary, 8/23/2022 — Grant PUD will continue to evaluate X-energy nuclear option

Focus on X-energy will allow additional in-depth analysis about whether to move forward and build Grant PUD will focus on the technology of Maryland-based X-energy in the utility's continuing feasibility analysis of building a small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear energy plant. For the past 18 months, Kevin Nordt, Grant PUD Chief Resource Office...

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Commission summary, 8/9/2022 — Grant PUD to evaluate embankment at Wanapum Dam

Contractor to analyze dam embankment for possible erosion Commissioners heard the details of a proposed, 10-year, $15 million contract with engineering firm Gannett Fleming to examine the interior of an embankment at Wanapum Dam for any potential erosion. The last in-depth dam safety inspection by independent consultants in 2021 concluded...

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Commission summary, 7/26/2022 — Retail energy sales below budget, April-June. Solid future growth expected

Retail customer electricity sales ended the year's second quarter about 2% less than budget forecast, commissioners heard Tuesday. Year-to-date through April, sales are about one-half percent above budget and are forecast to stay strong, longer term. Colder-than-expected spring weather increased energy consumption from residential customers, and hi...

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Call-in code updated for July 26 Integrated Resource Plan hearing

The conference ID has changed for call-in access to the July 26 public hearing on the Grant PUD Integrated Resource Plan. To attend by phone, please call 509-703-5291. When prompted, enter conference code 596 502 173#. The hearing will begin during the 1 p.m. business meeting. Attend the July 26 hearing in person in the Commission Room at Grant PUD...

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Commission summary, 7/12/2022, Hydropower lobby urges Grant PUD to educate lawmakers

Members of the Washington Public Utilities Districts Association (WPUDA) urged Grant PUD commissioners to "speak with one voice" to state and federal lawmakers about hydropower's critical, carbon-free role in keeping the lights on in the Pacific Northwest. Without this resource, the lights go out," WPUDA Executive Director George Caan told commissi...

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Commission summary, 6/28/2022 — Need for solar, wind, natural gas in Grant PUD's energy forecast

Grant PUD commissioners Tuesday learned how the utility is considering options to meet its long-term power needs during an Integrated Resource Plan presentation. By state law, electric utilities must develop a comprehensive plan with five- and 10-year estimates projecting the mix of power generation and resources to meet the needs of their customer...

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Commission summary, 6/14/2022: Quincy-area transmission line routes chosen

Transmission projects will increase electrical capacity in Quincy Grant PUD staff Tuesday presented commissioners with their preferred routes for three new transmission lines that will increase electrical capacity and improve reliability in the ag-and-data hub city of Quincy.The routes are four of the 10 projects comprising the "Quincy Transmi...

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Grant PUD contract crew at work to reduce risk of power outages

Grant PUD contractor Alamon is performing preventive maintenance on Grant PUD power poles to reduce risk of power outages. Work began 6/6/2022 in the Soap Lake area and will continue north through year-end until the upper portion of the county is complete. The maintenance includes testing the poles to ensure they're structurally sound and applying ...

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Highlights from the 5/10/2022 commission meeting // Work on secondary embankment at Priest Rapids Dam progresses

Work on secondary embankment at Priest Rapids Dam progresses The cost to build a secondary embankment on the Yakima County side of Priest Rapids Dam will increase $2.6 million to improve the project's quality and safety, commissioners heard Tuesday. The change order to the contract with IMCO General Construction increases the total project cost to ...

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COVID-19 Protective Measure Exit Roadmap Support

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Commissioners choose Rich Wallen to lead Grant PUD

Haga clic para Español An experienced manager, Wallen formerly headed the utility's operations divisions EPHRATA, Wash – Grant PUD commissioners Tuesday unanimously chose Rich Wallen as the utility's new general manager and chief executive officer. Wallen has served as interim general manager since Jan. 1, after former general manager Kev...

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​Grant PUD reopens customer service offices

Haga clic para Español EPHRATA, Wash. – Grant PUD is reopening its customer service offices to the public this week. The offices had been closed since March 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The days and hours for the various offices are as follows: Moses Lake, 312 W. Third Ave. – Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ep...

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Grant PUD mourns loss of Commissioner Dale Walker

EPHRATA, Wash. – Grant PUD staff joins the family of Commissioner Dale Walker in mourning his death. Walker, 75, who was serving as a PUD Commissioner since 2011, died on Sunday, Aug. 8, from complications with lung cancer. "We are all very saddened to learn of Dale's passing," stated Grant PUD General Manager Kevin Nordt. "Our thoughts are with hi...

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Sabey Data Centers, the Columbia Basin Foundation and Grant PUD partner to Pay it Forward during COVID

EPHRATA – Sabey Data Centers (Sabey), headquartered in Seattle, WA, recently donated 75 Chromebook computers to school districts in Grant County.Sabey operates a colocation data center campus in Quincy, WA. Sabey graciously chose to contribute to Grant PUD's Pay-it-Forward fund with the Columbia Basin Foundation. This fund provides opportunity for ...

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