Commission recap, 7/22/2025 -- New rate-strategy outreach coming soon. More...

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.

The new strategy comes as Grant PUD and many utilities around the country are analyzing how to increase their energy resources as artificial intelligence, electrified transportation and a shift to cleaner energy is pushing demand for electricity to historic highs.

The strategy involves charging core customers based on the low production costs of Grant PUD’s Columbia River dams, Priest Rapids and Wanapum, and charging the  industrials -- the customer groups driving most of the increased demand – based on any available low-cost energy from the dams, plus the new higher-cost energy Grant PUD must acquire or develop to meet that demand.

For core customers, this rate strategy will be known as the “Priest Rapids Project Benefit,” after the term used to describe both Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams in Grant PUD’s federal dam license.

Rates for all customer groups will continue to increase to cover increasing costs to generate or acquire and deliver their electricity. The goal is for increases to be small and predictable. Core customers will be favored with the lowest power-related cost possible. Industrials will receive a longer rate trajectory forecast for better planning and budgeting.

Plans call for changes to customers’ electric bills to better show how core and non-core customers are being charged. More precise information about rate increases should be available starting in October.

Outreach efforts include communication with service clubs and industry groups, information at the upcoming Grant County Fair, a large media campaign, customer newsletters and bill inserts.

Commissioners urged staff to “communicate a lot and communicate clearly.”

“The only thing I struggle with is the future,” Commissioner Larry Schaapman said. “If an (industrial) customer really wants to locate in Grant County, they’re going to have to know where we’re going. Rates are going up.”

“It’ll be competitive,” Commission Tom Flint said. “But it will be increasing over time.”

See the full reports on pages 1-20 of the presentation materials. Here the discussion at 00:59:09 on the commission audio.

Commissioners heard:

-- The Power Delivery Department is reorganizing and resizing to become more effective and responsive to customers. Customer workorder requests set a record high from April-June, with some delivery times falling to a low of two weeks. See the full report and outage statistics on pages 21-33 of the presentation materials. Here the discussion at 30:19:00 on the commission audio.

-- Six of the 10 turbine-generator units have been rehabilitated at Priest Rapids Dam. Work has begun on the seventh unit. Four new hydro mechanic apprentices are now at work and support continues for the apprenticeship program. See the full reports on pages 34-44 of the presentation materials. Here the discussion at 2:49:43 on the commission audio.

-- Collaborative work by Environmental Affairs staff and Sunland Estates Homeowners Association and Fire Safety Committee to develop a plan that protects shoreline habitat while providing additional wildfire protection measures for the community’s homeowners through additional vegetation-management zones. “In the past year, we’ve made significant steps forward to protecting our property and our relationship with this board,” Sunland board member Myron Meikle told commissioners. “In the long run, we got to a point where we’re happy with where we’re at.” Commissioner Larry Schaapman replied, “I want to show our appreciation for you and the folks at Sunland for getting this across the line.”

-- Commissioners also reviewed the latest usage data from the Crescent Bar golf-course. Results of an independent analysis of the golf course are expected in December, as well as from recreational use surveys that will provide insight into the long-term recreational needs at Cresent Bar. Based on those insights, the Commission will make a decision in early 2026 on whether new recreational amenities on Crescent Bar Island should be proposed in Grant PUD’s next 10-year Recreation Management Plan, which will be sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for review and approval in April 2027. See the full report on pages 60-78 of the presentation materials. Here the discussion at 55:29:10 on the commission audio.

-- With the new growth in various areas and more accurate data shows the “take rate” for internet service over Grant PUD fiber is 70%.  The news was part of an April-June update on hookups and improvements to the fiber-optic network, which was completed in December 2024 to provide access to all Grant County residents. See the full report on pages 46-58 of the presentation materials. Here the discussion at 2:35:07 on the commission audio.

-- The new Wanapum Native American Discovery Unit, a rolling museum that tells the Wanapum story, began its travel season April 1 and plans to reach 10,000 people this year. The Wanapum Heritage Center’s annual, two-day Archaeology Days event will be Oct. 1-2, 2025. Wanapum Liaison Clayton Buck and Archaeology Supervisor Andrew Murphy also updated the commission on the latest efforts to monitor sites of archaeological importance on the lands managed by Grant PUD as part of its obligations to the Wanapum Indians and its federal license to operate Priest Rapids and Wanapum Dams. See the full report on pages 79-92 of the presentation materials. Here the discussion at 3:05:56 on the commission audio.

-- The Asset Management Team continues to analyze Grant PUD equipment and systems for replacement cost, lifespan, inventory levels and other essential details to create a long-term plan that will give managers detailed insight about current and future needs for budget, equipment orders, stock on hand and labor costs. “We want to know when our equipment is going to break and plan for it; document it,” Kasey Grant, manager of Asset Strategy and Planning, told commissioners. Commissioner Judy Wilson hailed the effort as long overdue. “It’s like a giant puzzle, and all the pieces have to fit together,” she said. Commissioner Larry Schaapman agreed. “You’re doing an awesome job,” he said. “Congratulations with that heavy lift.”  See the full report on pages 93-112 of the presentation materials. Here the discussion at 3:56:38 on the commission audio.

Public comment:  1:44:48 on the commission audio

Action items: 2:16:54 on the commission audio

Commissioners also unanimously approved:

-- Resolution 9094 to adopt a fee schedule for public records requests. See pages 9-29 of the commission packet. Fees are listed on page 16.

-- Resolution 9095 to streamline the External Funding Program, the commission delegate to the Grant PUD executive leadership the ability to pursue, apply for and negotiate all types of federal, state and local financial assistance, including grants, contributions and donations unrelated to debt obligations. See pages 30-32 of the commission packet for more information.

-- Resolution 9096 to remove Rate Schedule 7 from the “core customer” classification for rate-setting purposes established by the former Resolution 9074. The resolution is part of an effort to encourage agricultural customers to shift to the more favorable Rate Schedule 3B. The approval makes no other substantive changes to the rate-making policy. See pages 35-44 of the commission packet for more information.

-- Motion 3524 for a contract not to exceed $600,000 with Sargent & Lundy, LLC, for engineering services to support the Grant PUD Energy Supply Management’s Team analysis of new sources of electricity generation to supply our county’s growing demand for electricity. See pages 45-93 of the commission packet for more information.

-- Motion 3525 authorizing the general manager to execute a contract with Open Access Technology International (OATI) for a 3-year extension beginning Aug. 1, 2025 through July 31, 2028. This is the primary software Grant PUD uses to buy and sell electricity. The extension includes a maximum 5% monthly recurring fee, given an upfront fee charge of $6,000, along with an increase to the monthly recurring fee of $600.00. There will be a recurring, increased fee of $650.00 for 2-year additional administrator certificates, as requested.  See pages 93-96 of the commission packet for more information.

-- Resolution 9097 (moved up from review items for action this week) authorizing the general manager to enter into a contract for Grant PUD-wide janitorial services with iPro Building Services of Malaga, WA, for $1,599,161.00. iPro was the lowest of three bids received for the contract.