Grant County Public Utility District
Encyclopedia
| Grant County P.U.D. Logo |
|
| Established: | 1938 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters: | Ephrata, Washington Ephrata, Washington Ephrata is a city in Grant County, Washington, United States. The population was 6,808 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Grant County.-History:... |
| Number and Type of Power Generation Plants: | 2 Hydroelectric Projects, 2 small hydro projects and wind. |
| Energy Production | |
| Customers Served | 41,722 |
| Average Residential Rate | 4.21 cents /kW hour |
Public Utility District No. 2 of Grant County, or Grant County PUD, is a public utility district in north central Washington state. It is owned by its customers and governed by a Board of Commissioners elected by the customer-owners. Though it is not regulated by another governmental unit, a PUD is, by state statute, a nonprofit corporation. PUDs must comply with state regulations for municipal corporations. The local customer-owner of the PUD receives benefits in the form of reduced rates for service. Grant County PUD operates two hydroelectric projects, Priest Rapids Dam
Priest Rapids Dam
Priest Rapids Dam is a hydroelectric, concrete gravity dam; located on the Columbia River, between the Yakima Firing Range and the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, and bridges Yakima County and Grant County, in the U.S. state of Washington. The dam is 24 miles south of the town of Vantage, and 47 miles...
and Wanapum Dam
Wanapum Dam
Wanapum Dam is a hydroelectric project located on the Columbia River downstream from Vantage, Washington where Interstate 90 crosses the Columbia from Grant County into Kittitas County. It is owned by the Grant County Public Utility District. Its reservoir is named Lake Wanapum.The dam, and its...
. In addition to these, the PUD also operates the Quincy Chute Hydroelectric Project, Potholes East Canal Headworks Project and part of the Nine Canyon Wind Project.
History
Grant County PUD was formed by popular vote after petitions from the Grange delegation on November 8, 1938. The PUD held its first organizational meeting on December 21, 1938 in HartlineHartline, Washington
Hartline is a town in Grant County, Washington, United States. The population was 134 at the 2000 census. There is a High School named Almira-Coulee/Hartline High School. The name "Hartline" is an americanized spelling of the German last name "Hartlein" and is an uncommon last...
.
In the fall and winter of 1938, the Commission authorized W.S. McCrea Co., a consulting engineer, to begin necessary action to acquire properties from Washington Water Power Company, and others, by purchase or condemnation. To complete the process, the Commission also authorized the acquisition of WWP facilities by purchase or condemnation as well as the issuance of revenue bonds with a $300,000 limit.
On January 20, 1942, Grant County PUD purchased the Coulee City
Coulee City, Washington
Coulee City is a town in Grant County, Washington, United States. The population was 600 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Coulee City is located at ....
Grant County Power Company for $19,753.73. That same year on January 30, 1942 Grant PUD purchased Soap Lake Utilities for $25,046.50, and in May moved the main office to Soap Lake
Soap Lake, Washington
Soap Lake is a city in Grant County, Washington, on the shores of Soap Lake. The population was 1,733 at the 2000 census. In 2002, the city announced preliminary plans to construct the world's largest lava lamp as a tourist attraction....
.
On June 14, 1945 Grant County PUD took over operation of Washington Water Power (WWP) Company facilities in Grant County. In the process, Grant County PUD retained several WWP employees and jumped the number of employees from 4 to 17. That same month, Grant County PUD headquarters moved again to Ephrata
Ephrata, Washington
Ephrata is a city in Grant County, Washington, United States. The population was 6,808 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Grant County.-History:...
.