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Board hears data center, budget and other updates
NEWPORT — The Board of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Pend Oreille County held its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, Oct. 30 in Newport.
Here are key updates and actions from the meeting:
• BPA Interconnection and Large Loads: Staff provided commissioners with an overview of ongoing Bonneville Power Administration interconnection studies and large-load activity.
There are active interconnection requests from two data centers: Merkle Standard in Usk and Krambu in Newport.
Merkle requested an increase in interconnection capacity from 100 megawatts to 225 in February 2025. Following the first BPA feasibility study phase, Merkle funded the second study phase in April 2026, which remains a work in progress.
Krambu requested an increase to 9.9 megawatts in October 2025. A phased approach allowed Krambu to increase service to 2.5 megawatts through minor metering upgrades. The board approved the associated Electric Service Agreement in August 2026, and work continues on evaluating the remainder of the request.
• Budget: As part of the ongoing 2027 budget process, staff updated commissioners on several major areas of the budget. These included costs for electricity purchases and day-to-day operation and maintenance; federally required environmental work for Box Canyon Dam; and major construction and equipment purchases planned for 2027. Overall, the PUD is currently projecting $95 million in total approximate costs for 2027.
• Paperless Billing Campaign: The PUD’s Paperless Billing Promo- tion campaign resulted in 358 customers enrolling in paperless billing, each one receiving a one-time $5 bill credit. Along with giving customers another convenient billing option, the new enrollments will help the PUD save on printing and mailing costs.
• Energy Efficiency Program Update: The PUD’s Energy Efficiency Program has completed 121 projects over the past year, saving more than 725,000 kilowatt- hours of electricity. These projects help residential, commercial and industrial customers lower their energy use and bills. One of the successes staff shared with Commissioners was the PUD’s HOPE Program, which provides energy efficiency improvements for income-qualified households.
Commissioners also addressed a few action items:
• Resolution No. 1517 – Meter Relocation Safety Assistance Program: Commissioners approved a new program to help customers with the cost of relocating electric meters currently installed inside living spaces. Indoor meters can create electrical and fire hazards and make it difficult for PUD crews and emergency responders to safely access equipment.
• Fiber Broadband Service Contracts for NoaNet: Commissioners approved two contracts for new premium class fiber service.
