The Dam Breaching Subject Just Won't Go Away

For the fifth time, Representative McDermott (Seattle - D) has introduced a "study" bill that threatens the four Lower Snake River Dams.  Year after year, he has proposed a bill with disregard to the hundreds of millions of dollars already being spent on salmon recovery and the overall impact of dam removal to our environment, energy, irrigation and river navigation.  It is no coincidence that he introduced the bill just weeks prior to the Obama Administration's completed review of the Biological Opinion (BiOp). 

Proponents of dam breaching continue to ignore the facts.  The campaign for removing the four lower Snake River dams continues unabated, with public relations, a sympathetic judge, media coverage and the recently introduced legislation by Rep. McDermott.

Northwest RiverPartners and it's members are working diligently to keep the true facts about the many benefits of the hydrosystem in the forefront of the media.  Below are links to related articles. 

Tri-City Herald – Leave Our Dams Alone Letter to the Editor by Jim Sanders, General Manager, Benton PUD

Northwest RiverPartners – Renewable Hydropower and Salmon Can Thrive Together  Editorial by Scott Corwin, Executive Director of the Public Power Council and John Saven, Chairman of Northwest RiverPartners and CEO of the Northwest Requirements Utilities 

Tacoma News Tribune Editorial – Snake River Dams: Don’t Forget the Carbon

Northwest Team Seeks Stimulus Funds

Benton PUD has partnered with Battelle, the Bonneville Power Association (BPA) and other utilities on a proposal to create a Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project.  The group has sent a proposal for $178 million to the Department of Energy (DOE).  DOE has $615 million in federal economic stimulus funds to spend on smart grid demonstration projects to show how emerging technologies can be used.  This proposal will work well with the AMI project Benton PUD is currently implementing.  The proposed project will involve more than 60,000 metered customers in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.  Following the installation of equipment and technology, participants will gather energy use information over a two-year period from 15 test sites that represent the region's diverse terrain, weather and demographics.  

During the study researchers will gain insight into consumers' energy behavior while testing new technologies designed to bring the electric transmission systems into the information age.  A new combination of devices, software and advanced analytical tools will give homeowners more information about their energy uses and costs, and researchers want to know if this will modify their behavior in any way. 

The project, if selected, will last five years and cost about $178 million, half of which will be provided by the project's participants.  DOE is expected to announce which proposals will be funded by the end of the year. 

"BPA is excited to be part of the effort to bring a smart grid project to the Pacific Northwest," said the agency’s Energy Efficiency Vice President, Mike Weedall.  "This technology can help meet increasing power demands, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote energy independence and help improve national security.  If the proposal is funded, it would also create green, sustainable jobs in technology, energy efficiency and other industries in the region." 

"Plans to use data from "smart meters" currently being installed by Benton PUD have been included in this proposed project," said Rick Dunn, Manager of Engineering at Benton PUD.  "Funding from this proposal would enable us to expedite distribution system automation plans and be a part of regional research that will help make smart grid a reality."

Crucial Investments by Utilities Bring Opportunities and Costs

Population growth and new technologies that rely on electric power are expected to significantly increase the need for electricity in the Pacific Northwest.

"Despite increased demand, we will continue to reliably deliver increasingly clean energy, while rigorously managing cost," says Jim Sanders, General Manager at Benton PUD.  "There are many unknowns and challenges ahead, but we have always come through for our customers and will continue to do so."

In addition to upgrading and improving traditional resources, hydropower, coal and natural gas, utilities across the region have been intensifying conservation efforts and will do even more to develop additional renewable resources such as wind and solar power projects.

"Benton PUD has ramped up conservation services offered to residential and business customers for several reasons," says Sanders.   "Conservation programs are part of the requirements of the Energy Independence Act, but are also integral tools to help our customers save energy and lower their costs.  The less our customers use, the less we need to purchase."

Utilities will also make substantial investments in new power plants and transmission systems that deliver electricity, as well as energy efficiency to effectively meet growing needs.

These crucial investments will create the expanded infrastructure needed to integrate renewables, expand overtaxed transmission systems, provide funds to develop and test new technologies and help utilities and customers increase energy efficiency.

Major investments by utilities create new opportunities for increasing the supply of electricity while protecting the environment, but they do come at a cost.  Utilities will continue to work hard to control costs and partner with customers to improve energy efficiency to keep their power costs as low as possible.

 "These investments will enable us to serve our growing community, ensure reliability and address current and potential environmental regulations and issues," says Sanders.

Benton PUD participates in the "Plan Today. Power Tomorrow." regional energy communications project.  For more information visit www.pnucc.org.

Rebates For Businesses Available

Benton PUD offers many conservation rebates to our business customers.  Call now to upgrade your facility with new, energy efficient technology and save money.  Our program includes rebates for:

Fore more information about our program, visit our Commercial Rebate website or contact Kevin Fischer at 509-585-5395.