Today PNGC Power signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a smart grid investment grant award.  PNGC and 12 of its electric utility cooperative members have agreed to implement a smart grid project valued at $39.1 million.  The project includes the installation of more than 97,000 smart meters and other equipment.  The project will benefit customers of the cooperatives located in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Nevada and Wyoming.

“On behalf of participating member cooperatives, we look forward to embarking on this project, a partnership between PNGC Power, our member cooperatives and the U.S. DOE” said John Prescott, PNGC Power President and CEO.  “By making a real investment in local infrastructure, our members anticipate the result to be more efficient and integrated operations which will help position them for future success.  Participating PNGC cooperatives will be matching the grant with their own funds, fifty-fifty.

“This project represents a unique opportunity for PNGC and its member cooperatives to enhance operations and reduce costs,” said Prescott.  This is a five-year project, with the first phase characterized by equipment installation and the second phase focused on data collection and reporting.

The PNGC Power – U.S. DOE grant is a part of $3.4 billion in grant awards that are made available by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, or “Stimulus Package,” that became law in 2009.   PNGC Power’s selection for the process puts us among 100 private companies, utilities, manufacturers, cities and other partners nation-wide who are implementing similar smart grid investment grant programs. 

PNGC Power is a Portland-based electric generation and transmission (G & T) cooperative owned by 16 Northwest electric distribution cooperative utilities with service territory in seven western states (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Nevada and Wyoming).  The company creates value for its member systems by providing power supply, transmission and other management services.  PNGC Power is an aggregator of geographically diverse loads in the region and became the first electric cooperative in the country to receive a power marketing license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Members participating in the smart grid project include:  Central Electric Cooperative, Clearwater Power Company, Consumers Power, Inc., Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative, Inc., Douglas Electric Cooperative, Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., Lane Electric Cooperative, Lincoln Electric Cooperative, Northern Lights, Inc., Okanogan County Electric Cooperative, Raft River Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Salmon River Electric Cooperative, Inc.  More information about PNGC Power can be found at www.pngcpower.com.