EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District commissioners met with U.S. Congressman Dan Newhouse on Thursday to discuss the permitting process for a small modular nuclear reactor and some of the challenges and concerns that come along with the project. Newhouse also toured the Port of Moses Lake to discuss the need for energy and how to produce it.  

The discussion with PUD commissioners was in executive session, and no details were released. The tour of the port with Executive Director Dan Roach was private. 

Newhouse said the tours were part of his effort to address energy needs in the Fourth District he represents and to protect existing energy assets. 

“Thursday afternoon I met with the Grant County PUD to offer my full support in their work to bring cutting-edge nuclear technology to Central Washington. Small Modular Reactors provide safe, reliable, and carbon-free energy. By harnessing nuclear power, we have the chance to be true leaders in making our clean-energy future a reality. I’m determined to continue bringing local leaders and federal stakeholders together to advocate on their behalf in Congress,” Newhouse said in a statement following the meeting. 

Utility district commissioners have been discussing the construction of a small modular reactor for about three years. At an earlier commission meeting, Commissioner Tom Flint said the PUD has to look at other sources of electrical generation, whatever they are. 

Washington law requires utilities, the PUD included, to generate some of their production from renewable sources like wind and solar power. However, those don’t produce power year-round, Flint said. 

“We’re going to have to have other (sources of) generation to make that all work,” he said.   

Newhouse said the demands for energy throughout the region, including Grant County, highlight the need to not only to find new sources of energy but keep what’s already here. 

 “On Thursday, I also met with Dan Roach, the new executive director of the Port of Moses Lake to discuss the urgent need for more power and infrastructure throughout the entire region. They shared with me how critical it is for us to protect the dams,” Newhouse said. “Without the baseload, clean energy provided by hydropower, it will be impossible to keep pace with the expansion of the area. Without the dams, the Port of Moses Lake will be forced to start turning away companies that bring hundreds of new jobs into the region.” 

    Dan Newhouse, second from left, with Grant County PUD commissioners, from left, Terry Pyle, Tom Flint, Judy Wilson and Larry Schaapman.
  

Reelection bid:  

Newhouse is running for reelection to Congress this year and has seven challengers in the August primary. Contact information for the candidates is below. 

Mary Baechler
www.maryforcongress.org. 

Jerrod Sessler
www.jerrodforcongress.com 

John Malan
www.restore-america.info 

Dan Newhouse  
www.Dannewhouse.com 

Benny “B3” Garcia
Vote4bennyWA04@zohomail.com 

Barry Knowles
4thdistrictelectbarryk@gmail.com 

Tiffany Smiley
www.tiffanysmileyforcongress.com 

“Birdie” Jane Muchlinski
birdie4uscongress@gmail.com