Energy Northwest paid $2.31 million in "privilege taxes" to the state of Washington last Friday.

The annual tax is levied on public power electricity producers for the privilege of generating electricity in the state.

Energy Northwest produces electricity at the Columbia Generating Station nuclear power plant, the Nine Canyon Wind Project, Packwood Lake Hydroelectric Project and White Bluffs Solar Station.

Together they generated 5.16 billion kilowatt hours of electricity last year, with the nuclear plant producing 93 percent of that. The power was provided to the Bonneville Power Administration for resale to customers in the Western states.

The privilege taxes collected by the state for the nuclear power plant include about $1 million for the state school fund and $229,000 for the state general fund.

In addition, $439,504 is divided among Benton, Franklin, Grant, Walla Walla and Yakima counties; $459,482 is divided among Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, Benton City, Prosser, West Richland, Connell, Mesa, Grandview and Sunnyside; $59,932 goes to fire districts within about 35 miles of the plant, and $39,555 also goes to library districts within 35 miles.