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The river has always provided for the Tribe and now it provides the power. The creation of our electrical utility is just an extension of the mutual care between the Tribe and the River.
The Kalispel Tribe launched Kalispel Tribal Utilities (KTU), the Tribe’s newly formed electrical utility, in December 2017.
KTU works closely with KDev (Kalispel Development) to provide electric services to new businesses and residences on and near the NQRC campus.
KTU electric infrastructure includes underground distribution facilities and an advanced customer metering system.
KTU designed its electric system to provide a high level of reliability to support ongoing business operations and to restore service quickly in the event of an outage.
KTU and Itron, Inc. signed a contract to deploy Itron’s OpenWay Riva metering and data management solution. The Itron system uses RF “mesh network” communications to automate customer meter reading and facilitate transfer of usage data to KTU’s customer accounting system. Itron’s OpenWay Riva solution increases KTU efficiency and ensures safer conditions through remote disconnect and outage location capability.
Currently KTU provides service for the electrical loads in Airway Heights on the Tribe’s reservation. Customers include both Tribally-owned and non-Tribal entities. KTU’s mission is to provide safe, reliable, competitively-priced and friendly service to its customers. KTU will expand its operation and service offerings as the loads in the vicinity of NQRC grow.