The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON - The Columbia County Commissioners last week opened the door to a possible change in power suppliers at county-owned facilities. At their Wednesday meeting, the board authorized County Engineer Drew Woods to develop a request for information (RFI) document to be submitted to Pacific Power, the county's current provider, and Columbia REA.

A draft prepared by Woods says, "Because the county is exploring its options for electrical service, standard bid laws do not apply. However, to aid in its decision, the Board of Columbia County Commissioners is seeking information from [the two providers] to help better understand the services, costs and community benefit associated with the two companies."

The potential change would affect the county's two largest facilities: The Columbia County Courthouse and the Columbia County Public Works facility at Dayton's east end.

The commissioners are expected to review the final RFI draft at next week's meeting on September 3, and will set a deadline at that time.

According to Columbia REA officials, an underground power line the co-op installed recently to serve their Dayton office, passes near both the public works building and the courthouse. Conduits were stubbed off at both locations, to allow for potential future service there.