ROYAL CITY — Rich Callahan, of Royal City, announced he is running for Grant County PUD commissioner, position 2.

He said he wants to review power rates and see if there is something that can be done to stop increases. Callahan said spending must be controlled and rates should be leveled out, adding the PUD is $1 billion in debt. He said the PUD should be run like a business, not like a government entity.

He said agriculture is a large part of the local economy and the debt and interest accumulated by the PUD will result in a lack of low-cost power, affecting farmers with large utility bills.

“That’s what scares me,” he said.

He said he wants to work with commissioners to reduce debt.

Callahan said ratepayers are mostly concerned about getting reliable power and knowing how much it will cost. He said those two aspects should be the focus and PUD leaders must work together to make sure those concerns are being addressed.

He said he’s been involved with PUD issues for the past 12 years by attending meetings and working on a fiber advisory group and agriculture power users group.

Callahan said it’s important for various groups such as agriculture, industrial and residential ratepayers to come together and decide how the PUD can be changed for the better, rather than arguing about what group gets the better power rate deal.

He said his experience working on several boards and creating and implementing programs will allow him to be an effective leader in the position.

“I’m excited,” he said. “I think I bring passion to the table. I want to give back.”