NW RiverPartners' poll shows support for Dams

Northwest RiverPartners, an organization that supports the region’s working rivers and science-based fish recovery, surveyed 700 registered voters in Washington, Oregon and Idaho to find out their attitudes about the hydro system.  In the February poll, two-thirds opposed breaching dams on the lower Snake River, viewing it as an extreme measure to improve salmon runs on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.

“Dam removal would be economically devastating to the Northwest and dramatically affect the use of the river as an economic highway.  The most dramatic impact would be eliminating the 1,100 megawatts of clean hydroelectric power from the region, “said Terry Flores, executive director of Northwest RiverPartners. 

Other results of the poll include:

• Citizens value hydropower as clean energy with 79% percent supporting the designation of hydro power as a renewable resource by the U.S. Congress and state legislatures.
• Two-thirds of citizens surveyed recognized that fossil fuels contributing to climate change would replace the energy if the clean and renewable dams were removed. 
• An overwhelming majority – 88% – identified hydro as renewable – similar to wind and solar resources.  And 69% acknowledged that hydro is more reliable than wind because no electricity is generated when the wind doesn’t blow.
• More than two-thirds recognize that hydro does not contribute to global warming.

Click here to view the entire poll results

For more information about Northwest RiverPartners visit www.nwriverpartners.org.

Olympia Update - Hydro in, hydro out

One of the many bills proposed this year was to amend the Energy Independence Act (Initiative 937), the 2-year-old voter-approved renewable energy initiative.  The measure has some good intentions but some flaws - among them a very narrow definition of renewable energy, the lack of recognition for clean hydro power, and a disincentive to seek all conservation.  In an attempt to fix the Act, Senator Chris Marr (D-Spokane) introduced a bill in February to broaden ways utilities could meet the Act's requirements for 15 percent renewable by 2020.  Leading issues included what type, if any, of hydro power should count as an eligible renewable, expansion of allowable renewables, both in type and location, and easing the burden for low-load growth utilities to meet the renewable requirements.  By the time it reached the House floor for a vote, the targets had increased slightly but it provided a load-growth exception, broadened where renewables could be purchased and expanded the definition of eligible renewables.  Some felt there were too many changes and that it gutted the intention of the Initiative. Most utilities felt it was a good compromise but still had some concerns about it.   

After much debate on the House floor, an amendment was added declaring that all hydropower is a renewable and should be counted as a qualifying resource under the Initiative.  Many voted for the amendment in hopes of making the bill unacceptable to the Senate and potentially killing the legislation. This tactic worked – the Senate rejected the House changes and requested a conference committee to work out a compromise during the last few days left in the legislative session. After all of the negotiations between environmentalists, utilities and other stakeholders, no vote was taken in the House before the legislative session ended April 26.  Benton PUD, the Washington PUD Association and other utilities worked hard to try to get improvements made on the Initiative. 

The 2008 Biological Opinion:  A New Era for Salmon Recovery

The 2008 biological opinion for the Federal Columbia River Power System is a science-based plan to protect Pacific salmon and steelhead listed under the Endangered Species Act.  It bears the stamp of approval from federal agencies, three of four Northwest states, six Indian tribes, and legions of groups and individuals.  Court approval of the BiOp would end a decades- long legal battle and shift the focus to restoring threatened and endangered runs of Pacific salmon.

The BiOp was developed with the best available science from state, federal and tribal biologists.  All factors limiting survival of ESA-listed species were analyzed.  The actions goes beyond ESA requirements and put listed salmon on a path toward recovery.

Yet, opponents of the plan are pressing for measures such as more spill at dams, reservoir drawdown, and dam removal, that would cripple the region’s clean, renewable hydro system in exchange for unproven biological benefits.

Northwest businesses and families are investing heavily in salmon recovery.  The nearly $10 billion cost represents an unprecedented investment in listed species not seen anywhere else in the United States.  Families and businesses will shoulder the costs of an annual billion-dollar program through their electricity rates.  The BiOp has a built-in process to ensure progress is made and there is accountability that the money is spent on cost-effective measures.  River users, including agriculture, ports, utilities and businesses, are at the end of their ability to pay.

Meanwhile we wait for Judge Redden's final decision on the BiOp.  The plaintiffs and allied litigants are clearly unhappy with the prospect of the lawsuit ending.  They are looking for ways to reopen the BioOp and keep the litigation balls in the air while they work the new Administration and Congress on their ulitmate goal:  removal of the Snake River dams.

The tremendous efforts and investments of the past three decades in addition to the process that resulted in the 2008 BiOp, are enough.  It's time to move on and help salmon.  For more information on the BiOp and the hydrosystem, visit Northwest RiverPartners' website - nwriverpartners.org.

Northwest RiverPartners is an alliance of farmers, utilities, ports and businesses that promote the economic and environmental benefits of the Columbia and Snake Rivers and Salmon recovery policies based on sound science.

Call Before You Dig

Spring often brings on projects that require digging – at home, on the farm and around businesses. If you are planning to do any digging, the first thing you want to do is to call the Utilities Underground Location Center at 1- 800-424-5555. They will send someone to mark where electric, gas, water, sewer and cable lines are buried. Accidental damage to utility lines can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, cause significant property damage and lead to serious injury or even death. The last thing you want to do is to hit one of these lines, causing a dangerous and expensive problem.

Just call before you dig - 1-800-424-5555.