PUD manager given new authority

Culbertson can purchase and sell short-term power transmissions

EPHRATA — The Grant County Public Utility District's General Manager Tim Culbertson was given authorization by the board of commissioners at its regular Monday meeting to enter into short-term transactions for the purchase and sale of power transmission capacity.

The PUD could realize significant cost savings through the purchase and use of short-term blocks of power line transmission access as needed for power purchases and sales.

Either Culbertson, or his designee, have been given approved authorization to enter into these short-term transactions.

In other district business at Monday's commission meeting:

? A resolution was approved by the commissioners to award a contract for roadway maintenance and repair to the access road at Priest Rapids Dam. The paved road will be widened and repaired. The pavement into the Priest Rapids Hatchery will be replaced. Basin Paving Co., of Moses Lake, was the successful bidder on this project at a price of $147,200 for the roadway maintenance and repair.

? The commissioners approved a bid and the PUD will award a contract for supply of a new lowboy tractor. Husky Truck Center of Spokane was awarded the contract for the new tractor at a price of $107,929.

? A resolution was introduced that requires a 10-day waiting period prior to adoption consideration. The resolution involves an exchange agreement related to the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project power product sales agreements between the PUD and regional power purchasing utilities. Cowlitz County Public Utility District agrees with the actions taken by all the other power purchasers to simplify their contract by replacing variable amounts of power with a fixed percentage. This agreement benefits both Cowlitz County PUD and Grant County PUD. The Grant County PUD board of commissioners will vote on this resolution in two weeks.

? The PUD will add $500,000 to an existing contract for professional dam safety engineering services with Acres International of Seattle. The firm will provide services including Federal Energy Regulatory Commission mandated dam safety inspection reports and any additional required investigations.