Grant County PUD Commissioners recently heard details related to the PUD researching natural gas power plants near the county’s major load centers -- areas of high energy demand, such as the wheeler corridor in Moses Lake and, potentially, Quincy.
The plants would supply electricity to these growing industrial areas, without requiring miles of new transmission lines to deliver the power.
PUD Commissioners received the update at their first workshop of the year.
PUD Staff is focusing on generation technologies that could eventually be converted from natural gas, which produces a relatively small amount of carbon, to a non-carbon-generating fuel, such as hydrogen, to comply with state’s 2045 deadline to remove carbon-producing fuels from the state’s energy supply.
Additional analysis is underway to determine if an investment in an out-of-state natural gas plant, in a state that doesn’t have emissions-free policies, could supply power at a lower cost to Grant PUD customers.
In addition to natural gas generation, staff continues to research investments in battery energy storage systems, geothermal and small modular nuclear reactors to supplement Grant PUD’s portfolio of hydropower, solar and wind energy.
Work also continues to integrate the utility into a new western energy market -- the Southwest Power Pool’s “Markets +” -– that would help Grant PUD get the most value from the surplus power it sells beyond the county’s needs.
Commissioners also reviewed public input received on the proposed 2026 rate package during their workshop on Jan. 13.
Commissioners asked the public for their comments on a proposed increase of 3.5% for residential, general service/small business, and ag customers (core customers). A 9.5% increase is proposed for Tier 1 and Tier 2 (noncore) customers.
The rate adjustment is intended to balance affordability for core customers while ensuring financial stability in a high-inflation environment.
Grant PUD gathered feedback through multiple channels including a Dec. 9 public hearing, Grant PUD's website and social media.
Key themes from public feedback include, among other things: data centers and new loads should pay more, concerns about impacts on seniors and fixed-income households and questions about the size of the 10-year rate trajectory.
The commissioners are expected to vote on the 2026 Rate Package during their business meeting on Jan. 27. Pending commission approval, the new rates would take effect on April 1.
