Moses Lake gets new substation
EPHRATA — The Grant County Public Utility District completed its first substation for urban energy needs in almost 10 years, responding to increased development in Moses Lake.
The $1.5 million project, initiated in April 2006, distributes power exclusively to residents and businesses on the west side of Moses Lake, according to a release from the PUD Friday.
Other substations were energized in recent years to meet agricultural and industry-specific electrical demands, said PUD spokesperson Dorothy Harris. The new Paxson Drive Substation is committed to residential growth, she said.
The primary purpose of the new substation, located near the corner of Central Drive and Paxson Drive, is transforming power from the high-voltage transmission system to the lower-voltage needs of lines serving homes and businesses.
The substation also provides an alternative electrical source for customers currently served by other substations in the city and area surrounding Moses Lake. During emergencies, such as the recent windstorms, the new substation gives the PUD additional capabilities to deliver electricity to customers.
Harris said local citizens and businesses should experience less down time and a highly-reliable power source.
"Moses Lake residents and businesses served by the new substation will be the first in Grant County to benefit from state-of-the-art technologies incorporated into the original facility to control and monitor electrical load and status of equipment," she said.
Several existing substations were modified to include the same advanced controls, she said.
The PUD is continuing to monitor projected growth throughout the county and developing plans to meet future energy needs, she said.
During routine business at Monday's regular commission meeting the following employee travel was approved:
? Two commissioners to the 2007 American Public Power Association (APPA) Legislative rally in Washington D.C. from March 11 to March 14.
? A commissioner to the 2007 APPA winter education institute conference in San Francisco from Feb. 19 to Feb. 23.
? An employee to the APPA information technology officer's planning meeting in Washington, D.C. from March 25 to March 28.
? An employee to the Novell Brainshare Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, from March 18 to March 23.
? Two employees for factory acceptance testing of the Mauell Contract — Ephrata control center remodel, in Harrisburg, Pa., from Jan. 29 to Jan. 31.
? Various power management employees to multiple North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) committee, work group and task force meetings during the first quarter of 2007.
? An employee to the Emerson Power and Water Solutions User's Group executive board meetings in Long Beach, Calif., in February 2007, in Phoenix, Ariz., in April 2007, in Pittsburgh in May 2007 and to the user's group meeting in Pittsburgh in August 2007.
? Two employees to the Canadian Okanagan Basin Technical Working Group (COBTWG) meeting and the Bilateral Okanagan Basin Technical Working Group (BOBTWG) meeting in Penticton, British Columbia, from Feb. 18 to Feb. 20.
? An employee to the power system analysis skills for engineers and technicians course in Orlando, Fla., from Feb. 14 to Feb. 16.
? Two employees to witness factory acceptance testing of the 230 kV breaker in Cannonsburg, Pa., from Feb. 11 to Feb. 17. No district funds will be required as manufacturer is obligated under contract award to fund travel expenses.
? An employee to the CEA Technologies, Inc. hydraulic plant life Interest group meeting in Jacksonville, Fla., from Feb. 13 to Feb. 16.