Threats to Regional Hydropower
For more than 20 years, there have been efforts to change the way the 4 lower Snake River dams operate which would diminish their hydropower generating capabilities and take us down a path to breaching. In December, the United States government, led by the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality, entered into an agreement with Oregon, Washington, and 4 sovereign tribes that is detrimental to the operation of these dams and our local economies that rely on safe, clean, and affordable power.
The Presidential Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Columbia River Basin Initiative, signed in December, was an inflection point in the decades-long debate on the multipurpose hydropower resources that are the backbone of the Northwest economy. This MOU mentions dam breaching 24 times and replacement power 27 times—the first time any administration has embraced breaching federal dams and detailed a path to make it happen without Congressional authorization.
Our concerns were amplified just weeks ago when the administration took steps to implement the MOU by publishing a report from the Department of Interior and establishing a task force to implement its findings. The task force lacks any representation from the region’s energy stakeholders, and the report recommends overhauling the government’s approach to NEPA reviews in the region. It also announces a desire to reopen the 2020 Columbia River System Operations NEPA Record of Decision, which outright rejected dam breaching.
The 4 lower Snake River dams represent a significant portion of the total generation portfolio of the Bonneville Power Administration. They provide an unmatched role of reliable generation during extreme weather conditions. From January 13-16, the Northwest region experienced a major cold snap and record-breaking energy demand. The 4 lower Snake River dams together produced more than 1,000 aMW each day. Energy output from variable energy resources plummeted in the same week. Replacement resources that can provide equivalent, cost-effective, and reliable power for our communities simply do not exist.
Additionally, the DOI report signals a desire to exceed the statutory boundaries of the Endangered Species Act and other environmental laws by recommending the government should aim for “more than compliance” with these statutes. This unlawful interpretation of the ESA could be leveraged by proponents of dam breaching to influence legal outcomes and further undermine hydropower resources.
These agreements and reports do little or nothing to recognize the efforts and billions of dollars utility customers have spent on fish and wildlife mitigation efforts. These investments have led to positive results for salmon recovery. As of last month, the Columbia Basin sockeye run was more than 230% higher than the 10-year average.
United Electric is diligently working with its trade organizations and elected officials to preserve the value of hydropower. We appreciate the support of the United Electric Board of Directors, our elected officials who advocate for hydropower, and our members as we continue these efforts. We invite you to stay engaged on this issue as it escalates. To learn more, visit the UEC website or the Northwest River Partners website.
Thank you,
Michael Darrington
General Manager