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 no...