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Cowlitz PUD asks county for $400,000 to design 4‑mile transmission upgrade to spur North County growth
Summary
Cowlitz PUD told commissioners it needs $400,000 from the county to complete design and engineering for a roughly $4.5 million priority phase that would replace aging lines between Castle Rock and Exit 52, improve reliability and enable future commercial growth and EV chargers along I‑5.
Cowlitz PUD representatives on Monday asked the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners for $400,000 to fund design and engineering for a multi‑phase transmission and distribution upgrade between Castle Rock and Exit 52.
Steve Taylor, director of regulatory and regional affairs for Cowlitz PUD, said the priority phase would replace just over four miles of undersized, vintage conductors with modern double‑circuit 115 kV transmission and a ~12.5 kV distribution underbuild. The overall priority‑phase estimate is $4.5 million, he said, with full buildout about $5.3 million.
“This project would replace a little over 4 miles of vintage, undersized power lines,” Taylor said, and the $400,000 request to the county would cover design and engineering costs needed to seek additional federal and utility funding.
In technical Q&A, Mike Larson, a senior engineer with the PUD, told commissioners the existing feeder is constrained under contingency conditions and that, depending on how load lands, the current system can safely support only a few additional homes before upgrades are required. “The line is at capacity,” Larson said, explaining the PUD models an n‑minus‑2 contingency to ensure reliability during storms or maintenance.
Taylor said the upgrades would expand the PUD’s capacity to serve commercial and residential load in North County, improve service reliability during severe weather and create the backbone needed for economic development, including public fast‑charging for interstate motorists. He explained the PUD is seeking $2.75 million from federal appropriations, would contribute $1.35 million from reserves and is asking the county for the $400,000 design match through the rural public facilities program.
Presenters said most construction would follow the roadway and require standard road permits, an I‑5 crossing permit and a Department of Natural Resources permit for a river crossing; they do not expect unusual permitting obstacles because much of the route follows existing rights‑of‑way.
Taylor said, if funded, design would begin in June and the PUD would bid the project in January 2028 with a proposed construction window from May 2028 to May 2029 for the priority phase.
The board did not take a vote on the request during the session; presenters asked commissioners to consider the project as part of the county’s economic development and resilience priorities.
