News - Page 2

The quick, coordinated efforts of Grant PUD crews, contractor GrayMar Environmental, and the state Department of Ecology played a critical role in effectively responding to the Dec. 3 release of 84 gallons of mineral oil from Grant PUD’s Priest Rapids Dam into the Columbia River.

Scroll down to follow incident updates...  Crews place protective booms on the Columbia River near Vernita Bridge 12/3/2025 and 12/4/2025Priest Rapids Dam

EPHRATA -- Come share your thoughts Dec. 9, 2025, when Grant PUD commissioners host two public hearings. One hearing focuses on 2026 rate increases and a 10-year trajectory to cover projected inflation and production costs. The other hearing will set the utility’s state-mandated conservation targets.

Grant PUD Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Dec. 9 and open a 14-day comment period for customers to give their input on proposed rate increases for 2026.  

   Click here for videoIn 2025, Grant PUD’s Energy Services Department in partnership with 2nd Harvest continued to host mobile food banks twice a year to provide local families with meals across Grant County while providing Grant PUD’s energy saving resources and energy bill assistance programs  Community First Outreach Since 2023, Energy Services’ Mobile Food Bank initiative has brought much needed assistance to households in local communities facing food insecurity and raises awareness of Grant PUD’s Income-Qualified programs. As part of our continuingClean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) outreach, the events are free and open to all.  Making A Difference This year, The Mobile Food Bank made an impact in local communities. Local farmers and grocers donate fresh and nutritious groceries, including but not limited to milk, apples, pears, chicken, soups, bread, and vegetables.   Ephrata - April 2025: 215 Families Served, 6,525 meals provided Warden – September 2025: 213 Families Served, 9,028 meals provided  That’s 428 Families, and a total of 15,553 Meals served in just 2025!  Looking back The initiative has distributed over 25,500+ meals to over 1,000+ Families in Grant County communities since Energy Services’ commencement of the program in 2023. The Events are staffed by 20-30 volunteers committed to making food distribution possible and welcoming to all attendees. Events are open in the mornings, while supplies last.  Rooted in Grant PUD’s core value of service and powered by teamwork, the Mobile Food Bank events unite Grant PUD's employees and communities to nourish families and uplift Grant County together.

 NOTE: This meeting took place at the Hydro Office Building, near Wanapum Dam, where recording technology is being upgraded. This meeting was not recorded.

[Ephrata, WA / Jacksonville, FL – October 16, 2025] – The Energy Authority (TEA) and Grant County Public Utility District (Grant PUD) are proud to announce a strategic partnership that will transform how Grant PUD navigates the rapidly evolving energy markets of the West. This collaboration will enhance Grant PUD’s ability to optimize resources, participate in emerging market opportunities, and ensure reliable, cost-effective service for its customers. Grant PUD joins over 80 existing utilities that partner with TEA for access to portfolio management, energy trading, and advanced analytical services.

Commissioners Tuesday hosted two public hearings to review the utility’s $706 million proposed budget for 2026, which highlights a strong financial foundation and a clear commitment to reliable service with a focus on keeping rates as low as possible for all customers at a time of rising costs and anticipated rate increases.

EPHRATA -- Fall is in the air — time for tailgate parties, team spirit and a thoughtful discussion about Grant PUD’s 2026 Proposed Budget.

Grant PUD commissioners and leadership are committed to ensuring that our “core customers” – residential, ag, irrigation and small/medium-sized business – continue to receive the most favorable rates this utility can offer.

(Note: Links to commission audio should be live by end of day Friday, 9/12)Staff has proposed a 16-month power-sales “bridge” agreement that would change the way Grant PUD sells about one-third of its share of the generation from Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams and better positions the utility to serve its growing customer demand in a changing market.

During a visit last week to Grant PUD's Priest Rapids Dam, State Rep. Mark Klicker (R-Walla Walla) of the 16th Legislative District, engaged with Grant PUD Commission President Terry Pyle and the men and women of Grant PUD who keep the dam generating. They discussed infrastructure, transmission, environmental stewardship, and economic development opportunities. The dam plays a critical role in providing clean, renewable hydroelectric power to communities across Central Washington.

Note: Commission audio links should be active by end of business Friday, 8/29.Grant PUD commissioners unanimously approved Resolution No. 9100 on Tuesday, Aug. 26 to begin formal easement condemnation proceedings for 10 parcels of private property along the path of the Wanapum to Mountain View 230 kilovolt transmission line.  

Digging in for the future: From left Grant PUD General Manager & CEO John Mertlich joins commissioners Nelson Cox, Judy Wilson, Terry Pyle, Larry Schaapman and Tom Flint in moving the first shovelfuls of dirt for the new Ephrata Service Center. EPHRATA – Commissioners pitched in the first, ceremonial shovels full of dirt Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 4 p.m. to break ground for Grant PUD’s new Ephrata Service Center, a major milestone that will prepare this 87-year-old public utility with the space, agility and facilities to safely and more efficiently respond to day-to-day operations, maintenance work, connection requests and emergent outages well into the future.

(Note: The meeting recording should be posted by early next week)

Commissioners received a report, Aug. 12, that specifically outlined the main reasons for a more expensive power supply in the coming years.  

Workshops and other outreach is underway to inform Grant PUD customers about a new rate strategy intended to ensure “core customers” – residential, ag and small and medium-sized businesses – receive  the lowest rates possible for their electricity, while industrial rates remain competitive with the region, Grant PUD commissioners heard at their July 22, 2025 meeting.

Grant PUD has launched a quick, 11-question survey to collect your views on the state mandate that utilities remove air-polluting carbon from their energy supply.

Grant PUD’s General Manager John Mertlich was invited to attend the Marlin City Council meeting on March 17 to answer questions from residents in the area about Grant PUD’s recent purchase of 960 acresof farm and undeveloped shrub steppe land. The following is a synopsis of the questions from those in attendance with answers primarily provided by Grant PUD staff members following the meeting. 

Enjoy Independence Day along the Columbia River at one of Grant PUD’s recreation areas, but please leave your personal fireworks at home.

Work is progressing on an “unbundling” strategy intended to ensure Grant PUD’s “core customers” – residential, ag and small business – get the lowest rates possible and industrial customers the rate-predictability and protection from large rate increases they’re asking for, commissioners heard Tuesday.