Port of Whitman County may re-vamp WSU steam plant

PULLMAN — An old steam plant could see new life for the Port of Whitman and Washington State University.

The port is seeking $45 million from the federal government to develop the 1935 electricity plant. It features a tall smokestack at the southwest edge of campus.

The port filed an Infrastructure Priority Solicitation Form with Sen. Patty Murray’s office for the project.

The coal-fired plant once produced all the power and heat for the university. It was converted to natural gas allowing for extra space inside to be used for other purposes.

“It is being used for some energy production but not very much,” said Sarah Highfield, communications director for Port of Whitman. “It is considered under-utilized.”

The total development would include three facilities providing 35,703 gross area square-feet spanning 3.75 acres.

Developers think it could be something like the landmark steam plant revitalization in Spokane.

“I think it could be,” said Highfield, who toured the plant with other Port of Whitman representatives last October.

The project would first involve cleaning up of PCB and petroleum contamination.

Breakdown of full costs would include $14.8 million for environmental cleanup work and $30.1 million for construction and restoration.

Once done, the space would be developed to be used for laboratory and educational area for engineering, community business incubation, and entrepreneurial workplace development.

Some of the room would be available for a gathering location, a commercial enterprise or a WSU food service operation.