The Walnut Energy Center Authority is a joint powers agency formed in 2003 by Turlock Irrigation District and the Merced Irrigation District for the purpose of developing, financing, and operating the Walnut Energy Center, which a 250 MW natural gas-fired, combustion-turbine based, combined-cycle generating plant. The plant went into commercial operation in February 2006. In 2013, the plant generated 1,409 GWh. The plant is operated by the Turlock Irrigation District. The firm is WECA's General Counsel.