Commission recap, 4/22/2025 — Most customers get internet over Grant PUD fiber. More...

Grant PUD’s Telecom & Fiber Services team told commissioners that as of March 31, 75.13% of Grant PUD’s customers are using the utility’s wholesale fiber-optic system. Communities with the highest participation rate include Desert Aire at 92.81%, George-Burke 86%, Quincy 85.83% and Mattawa 81.94%. Areas with the lowest participation rate are Stratford at 14%, Coulee City at 57.87%, Warden at 59.82% and Wilson Creek at 59.89%. The Wholesale Fiber team has a goal of an 80% participation rate by the end of 2025.  

The wholesale fiber team is also asking commissioners to approve a scheduled $2.50 increase per connection to wholesale fiber providers and a new 10 gigabit Ethernet Local Area Network (E-LAN) service that is primarily designed for cell phone tower operators.  

For more information, see pages 103-127 in the commission packet. Hear the discussion at 4:19:31 of the commission recording. 

Asset Management Department proposes transformer plan  

Grant PUD’s Asset Management told commissioners that they are tracking 97 high voltage transformers in the utility’s power delivery system from 18 different manufacturers. The oldest transformer on the system is almost 80 years old. Each transformer has about a 50-year life span in Grant County. There are seven transformers on the system that are older than 50 years, and another 14 that are more than 40 years old.  

Given that the cost of transformers has almost doubled in the past five years and the lead time to have one delivered is now more than 120 weeks, it’s important that Grant PUD has a proactive plan to begin scheduling replacement of transformers at a rate of two a year, said Kasey Grant, Manager of Asset Management Strategy and Planning. By purchasing two a year, the utility will sustainably maintain the health of the transformers in its fleet and avoid having to make emergency purchases if a transformer fails. This proactive approach will help ensure long term low rates and reliable service for our customers.   

For more information, see pages 83-102 in the commission packet. Hear the discussion at 3:43:56  of the commission recording. 

Commissioners also:

-- Heard that Grant PUD received a clean audit on its 2024 financial statements, internal controls and compliance with state accounting standards. The annual audit, by independent firm Moss Adams, was completed over the first quarter of this year. Areas of emphasis included work orders, customer billings, wholesale power sales transactions, IT security and implementation of new GASB standard.

“This is a very clean and positive result for the District,” Keith Simovic, a partner in the firm, told commissioners.   

“It’s always important having independent eyes looking over what we do,” Commissioner Tom Flint said. “We appreciate your work.”

For more information, see pages 1-13 of the presentation materials. Hear the discussion at 14:39 on the commission audio.

-- Heard from state auditors that Grant PUD has exceeded its conservation targets required under the state’s Energy Independence Act. Grant PUD committed to working with its customers, including large industrials, to conserve 40,033 megawatt-hours of electricity during the Jan. 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2023 biennium. The Act was approved by voters as I-937 in 2006. It requires utilities with at least 25,000 customers to create 10-year conservation plans, divided into two-year measurement periods. They also must show that at least 15% of the energy they sell comes from renewable resources. For more information, see pages 14-21 of the presentation materials. Hear the discussion at 41:00 on the commission audio.

-- Heard that the archaeological surveys along the route of the proposed Wanapum to Mt. View transmission line have not revealed Native American artifacts within the route’s right-of-way. Crews have performed 1000 “shovel tests” to probe for artifacts, Manager of Cultural Resources Brett Lenz told commissioners. Among other projects, the Cultural Affairs team began April 1 to work toward the goal of bringing the Wanapum Native American Discovery Unit – a mobile museum – available to 10,000 people this season. In the coming months, the team will also focus on mitigating adverse effects, including looting, vandalism, recreation impacts and erosion, to archaeological sites on Grant PUD-managed lands.

For more information, see pages 40-52 of the presentation materials. Hear the discussion at 2:20:15 on the commission audio.

-- Learned that a feasibility analysis of the Crescent  Bar Island golf course will begin in the coming weeks; results should be ready for public discussion by year end. A proposal for wireless internet service could be charged to campers at Crescent Bar Campground, and fish studies are planned for 2026.  For more information, see pages 54-68 in the commission packet. Hear the discussion at 2:54:16  of the commission recording. 

-- Learned of plans for replacing key Power Production employees who have or will retire soon. For more information, see pages 71-80 in the commission packet. Hear the discussion at 3:26:00  of the commission recording.