PUD adopts $469.8 million budget

EPHRATA — The Grant County Public Utility District commission approved a $469.8 million 2007 budget, during Tuesday's weekly meeting.

No planned rate increases are part of the budget, said PUD spokeswoman Rita Bjork.

The adopted 2007 budget, for the electric system, Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams, increased 14 percent beyond the 2006 budget.

A significant portion of the 2007 budget is dedicated to the following:

? Turbine replacement at Wanapum Dam is ongoing, with the PUD completing replacement of two of the dam's 10 turbines. District engineers are currently replacing the third turbine. Bjork said they expect to be working on the fourth by the end of 2007, with the process continuing until 2014.

Installation of new turbines at the dam is part of an upgrade process at the 43-year-old hydropower plant, involving a complete turbine redesign.

? The district has to respond to increasing growth and customer demand, including expansion of the electric system for businesses locating to Grant County like Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo!, Bjork said.

? The PUD anticipates receiving its new operating license in 2007 for the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The PUD expects to meet additional undetermined FERC requirements accompanying the license. The budget reflects projected costs to meet those requirements, Bjork said.

The utility district is seeking a second 50-year license, filing in October 2003, to operate the Priest Rapids Project. The original project license expired in 2005. The PUD now operates with an annual license issued by FERC until a final decision is made on the next long-term license.