Grant PUD revenues less than projected

EPHRATA — Several factors combined to cut into Grant County PUD revenue in the first quarter of 2020, including the COVID-19 outbreak, warm weather and customers deferring expansion.

Senior data analyst Shaun Harrington presented a first-quarter report to commissioners at their April 28 meeting. He said retail revenue of about $50.7 million for the first quarter was about 7.2 percent below the budget projection.

Harrington said budget projections included projects planned by three customers in the industrial class (Class 14). Two of those projects were pushed to 2021, and one was canceled.

Residential demand was lower than projected in January and higher in February, which PUD economist Bob Brill attributed to weather conditions.

Commercial demand dropped dramatically in March and was about 17 percent below the budget target for the month. That was due to the order issued March 23 by Gov. Jay Inslee, closing what state officials deemed non-essential businesses to combat the virus outbreak.

Harrington said it’s too early to know how the restrictions on movement and business will affect commercial electricity use and impact PUD revenue.

Electricity not used by PUD customers is sold on the wholesale market, and wholesale prices were lower than anticipated also, he said.

— Cheryl Schweizer