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.

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: 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.

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.

Editor's note: The commission audio should be posted by late Friday, 7/11/2025

Work is underway to create an updated plan to detail Grant PUD’s continuing efforts to meet the state’s clean-energy mandate, which includes special provisions for underrepresented and vulnerable customer groups.

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.

Utility-industry veteran Glen Pruitt has been named Grant PUD’s vice president of Legal, Regulatory and Government Affairs.