Commissioners hosted March 24 a public hearing on Grant PUD’s Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT), a standardized master plan that will foster the most-efficient use of the capacity on the Grant PUD transmission system.
Some five years in the making, the OATT will establish Grant PUD as a “Transmission Services Provider” operating under guidelines that meet federal standards, are non-discriminatory, establish uniform cost structures, and are similar to the OATTs of other utilities nationwide. The system is expected to go live in June 2026.
The OATT will not affect existing transmission rates or apply to those transmission customers on legacy contracts, Susan Manville, Director of Transmission Strategy & Development, told commissioners.
Together with a specialized, internet-based interface, prospective customers, such as solar-energy firms seeking to build generation plants in Grant County, will be able to check available transmission capacity and learn about and sign up for transmission services that fit their needs.
The period for public comment on the proposed OATT began at the March 24 commission meeting and extends through March 31. Send comments to
Commissioners are scheduled to vote on adoption of the OATT during their April 28 business meeting.
See the full report on pages 26-39 of the presentation materials. This portion of the meeting was not recorded.
Commissioners also:
-- Received the monthly update from the Grant PUD Finance team. The utility’s forecast for 2026 continues to reflect a strong financial position, with moderate decrease in operations and maintenance spending from the prior month’s forecast due to January actuals coming in lower.
The change-in-net-position “bottom line” for 2026 is now projected at $279.3 million, a decrease of $0.1 million (-0.04%) from prior forecast. Results remain ahead of budget, supported by solid wholesale energy sales performance, and prudent cost management.
In the outer years of 2027–2031, the long-term financial outlook has decreased from prior forecast, reflecting lower projected revenue from net wholesale power sales. The change in net position for those years now averages $34.5 million, a $16.3 million annual average decrease (-32.1%) from the prior forecast.
Grant PUD remains financially strong, with long-term sustainability driven through continued fiscal discipline, rate strategy, and careful management of power market and regulatory dynamics.
See the full report on pages 1-25 of the presentation materials.
-- Unanimously approved Resolution 9117 to begin condemnation proceedings to gain easement rights on three parcels for a proposed 32-mile transmission line that will carry electricity from the Wanapum Switchyard near Wanapum Dam to the Mountain View Substation near Quincy.
The project will facilitate customer growth and provide improvements in power quality and reliability for the Grant PUD system.
Washington law RCW 54 gives public utility districts the right to use the condemnation process to seek easements deemed necessary for the public interest. Grant PUD commissioners voted Aug. 29, 2025 to begin condemnation proceedings against 10 landowners along the same proposed transmission route.
With the exception of the 13 condemnation proceedings pending court resolution, Grant PUD staff is now working to acquire the final two of the 132 currently known easements needed for the transmission line.
Hear public comment at 1:25:00 and the vote at 25:43:00 on the commission audio. Learn more about the condemnation resolution on pages 501-508 of the commission packet. Learn more about the transmission line project on the Grant PUD website here.
-- Approved Resolution 9116, to award an $18.7 million contract for dock crews. Palouse Power, LLC, was the lowest bidder for line crew labor services and was awarded the contract for 2026-2028. For more information, see pages 417-500 in the commission packet. Hear discussion and vote at 24:21:00 on the commission audio.
-- Approved Motion 3560 authorizing the general manager/CEO on behalf of Grant PUD to award a $10 million contract with Volt Workforce Solutions through Dec. 31, 2027 for staff augmentation. Grant PUD expects to primarily use these services for project management and organizational change management, when needed. For more information, see pages 509-543 in the commission packet. Hear discussion and vote at 26:27:00 on the commission audio.
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