Grant PUD eyes state talks on wildfire-risk mitigation
District also considering complex solar-power purchasing proposal.
Updated
File photo
EPHRATA — Grant PUD staff last week outlined measures taken by the utility district to mitigate potential wildfire risks which could threaten infrastructure, property, and public safety.
During their Sept. 8 workshop, PUD commissioners heard information regarding proposed state legislation that called for creation of a new “wildfire prevention and protection fund” and an advisory committee to address risks involving electrical transmission and distribution networks, infrastructure protection, and fire suppression.
As proposed, participation in the fund would be mandatory for investor-owned utilities and optional for consumer-owned utilities such as Grant County PUD. The measure, House Bill 2275, was introduced in January during the 2026 legislative session, but died in committee.
However, local officials say the stalled bill reflects growing statewide discussions regarding utilities’ wildfire liability, recovery funding, and future governance, financial, and reporting considerations. They say state lawmakers are expected to revisit the legislation next year.
Similar legislation is in effect in the state of California, where private utilities are required to pay into a fund for damages caused by their electric systems. California has experienced catastrophic fires in the past which resulted in widespread power outages and extensive damages.
According to the PUD, Washington lawmakers are also considering other measures. Those include ensuring adequate insurance coverage for all utilities in this state or proof that utilities’ existing insurance policies would cover wildfire-related damage caused by their infrastructure.
In both urban and rural settings, there have been instances where fires have been sparked by severe weather including windstorms, exploding transformers, ionized dust on power poles arcing during rainstorms, even rodents intruding into substations.
Grant PUD already has a comprehensive wildfire-mitigation plan that takes into account risk reduction through vegetation management, staff training and close collaboration with fire districts in the county, commissioners were told.
"We are very engaged in this conversation," said Matt Harris, Grant PUD senior policy analyst, during the presentation.
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In other discussions during their Sept. 8 workshop, commissioners are considering approval of a “tax-exempt power financing agreement” involving the Royal Slope Solar project that is currently under development.
Last October, the utility district entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with San Francisco-based Clearway Energy Group, which is developing the Royal Slope Energy Center for a 260-megawatt solar and 260-megawatt battery energy storage facility on private property near Vantage. That project is expected to be generating power by 2028.
The complex financial proposal calls for the district to enter into an agreement with investment banker Goldman Sachs, and an intermediary, Energy Southeast, which would buy the power directly from the Royal Slope Solar project and resell it to Grant PUD. As part of the transaction, Energy Southeast would issue tax-exempt bonds in its own name, which would not add to the district’s existing bond debt.
PUD officials say the overall economics will result in estimated savings of $4 million annually through lower purchase costs of solar power, or approximately $43 million in savings over the next decade.
The agreement could be extended an additional 20 years, and the PUD has the option of adjusting or withdrawing from the agreement if the savings – a minimum of 6% – are not achieved. The district would then go back to buying power directly from Royal Slope Solar, commissioners were told.
Bonnie Overfield, the PUD’s chief financial officer, recommended moving forward on the proposal. Commissioners will consider approving a resolution during their Sept. 28 meeting. Bond pricing and closing are scheduled in early November, at which time the district will decide whether to proceed with the transaction. If so, an “effective date (for) savings” is expected to start in the spring of 2027.
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Grant PUD eyes state talks on wildfire-risk mitigation
District also considering complex solar-power purchasing proposal.
EPHRATA — Grant PUD staff last week outlined measures taken by the utility district to mitigate potential wildfire risks which could threaten infrastructure, property, and public safety.
During their Sept. 8 workshop, PUD commissioners heard information regarding proposed state legislation that called for creation of a new “wildfire prevention and protection fund” and an advisory committee to address risks involving electrical transmission and distribution networks, infrastructure protection, and fire suppression.
As proposed, participation in the fund would be mandatory for investor-owned utilities and optional for consumer-owned utilities such as Grant County PUD. The measure, House Bill 2275, was introduced in January during the 2026 legislative session, but died in committee.
However, local officials say the stalled bill reflects growing statewide discussions regarding utilities’ wildfire liability, recovery funding, and future governance, financial, and reporting considerations. They say state lawmakers are expected to revisit the legislation next year.
Similar legislation is in effect in the state of California, where private utilities are required to pay into a fund for damages caused by their electric systems. California has experienced catastrophic fires in the past which resulted in widespread power outages and extensive damages.
According to the PUD, Washington lawmakers are also considering other measures. Those include ensuring adequate insurance coverage for all utilities in this state or proof that utilities’ existing insurance policies would cover wildfire-related damage caused by their infrastructure.
In both urban and rural settings, there have been instances where fires have been sparked by severe weather including windstorms, exploding transformers, ionized dust on power poles arcing during rainstorms, even rodents intruding into substations.
Grant PUD already has a comprehensive wildfire-mitigation plan that takes into account risk reduction through vegetation management, staff training and close collaboration with fire districts in the county, commissioners were told.
"We are very engaged in this conversation," said Matt Harris, Grant PUD senior policy analyst, during the presentation.
— — —
In other discussions during their Sept. 8 workshop, commissioners are considering approval of a “tax-exempt power financing agreement” involving the Royal Slope Solar project that is currently under development.
Last October, the utility district entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with San Francisco-based Clearway Energy Group, which is developing the Royal Slope Energy Center for a 260-megawatt solar and 260-megawatt battery energy storage facility on private property near Vantage. That project is expected to be generating power by 2028.
The complex financial proposal calls for the district to enter into an agreement with investment banker Goldman Sachs, and an intermediary, Energy Southeast, which would buy the power directly from the Royal Slope Solar project and resell it to Grant PUD. As part of the transaction, Energy Southeast would issue tax-exempt bonds in its own name, which would not add to the district’s existing bond debt.
PUD officials say the overall economics will result in estimated savings of $4 million annually through lower purchase costs of solar power, or approximately $43 million in savings over the next decade.
The agreement could be extended an additional 20 years, and the PUD has the option of adjusting or withdrawing from the agreement if the savings – a minimum of 6% – are not achieved. The district would then go back to buying power directly from Royal Slope Solar, commissioners were told.
Bonnie Overfield, the PUD’s chief financial officer, recommended moving forward on the proposal. Commissioners will consider approving a resolution during their Sept. 28 meeting. Bond pricing and closing are scheduled in early November, at which time the district will decide whether to proceed with the transaction. If so, an “effective date (for) savings” is expected to start in the spring of 2027.