Columbia Generating Station
Columbia Generating Station is the northwest's only commercial nuclear energy facility and is the third largest electricity generator in Washington state, behind Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph dams.
All of Columbia's output is provided to the Bonneville Power Administration at the cost of production under a formal net billing agreement in which BPA pays the costs of maintaining and operating the facility.
Columbia is a reliable, baseload, or full-time, energy source. Operation is not dependent on weather conditions.
Refueling occurs every other year and is scheduled when springtime water conditions in the Columbia River Basin are typically high, allowing the federal hydropower dams to produce ample power.
Columbia operates at 100% power, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but has the ability to load follow, or reduce power, when requested by Bonneville Power Administration for grid stability, hydroelectric system management, periods of high wind or economic considerations.
During hot and cold months, when the wind is typically not blowing, BPA may also request a "no touch" because of the increased demand for electricity or availability of other resources.