Hydropower

Northwest RiverPartners' poll shows support:

Northwest citizens support clean renewable hydropower; staunchly oppose destroying lower Snake River dams

Northwest voters understand hydroelectric power is the region's premier source of clean, renewable energy and staunchly support keeping the lower Snake River dams.

Flores noted that more than 67 percent of the region's voters – including a striking 79 percent in Idaho – support the importance of the Snake River dams to the region's power system – a view unchanged since polling began in 2005.

"Despite an ongoing campaign by a small group of anti-dam activists, public opposition to destroying the dams is unwavering," said Terry Flores, executive director of Northwest RiverPartners.  "Voters in the Northwest clearly value dams and their contribution to our clean, renewable power system and realize the lower Snake River dams are vital.

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, a Portland polling firm, conducted a public opinion poll in March for Northwest RiverPartners, which promotes policies to protect and restore healthy runs of salmon and the many benefits provided by the Columbia and Snake Rivers and hydro system.

In the poll of 700 registered voters in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, hydro power is viewed as clean, renewable and climate friendly with 70 percent of respondents recognizing it does not contribute to global warming.

"Many are aware that the hydropower system is a vital link to bringing even more renewable energy sources on line in the Northwest," Flores said.  "Voters continue to see hydro, wind and solar as part of a renewable team to provide energy to the Northwest and hydro continues to be seen as the most practical source of energy," said pollster Tim Hibbitts, citing a response in which 42 percent identified hydroelectric power as the most practical energy source for the region with wind power a distant second at 26 percent.  "Voters continue to care about salmon as they always have, but in these tough economic times, they are also very sensitive to increased energy costs," Hibbitts said.

Nearly 70 percent of respondents say they would be concerned – 34 percent would be very concerned – if their electricity rates increased five percent every couple of years solely to improve salmon runs.  More than half were concerned or very concerned with even a 2 ½ percent increase in their power bills.

Flores also said the public's endorsement of the region's clean, renewable hydropower emphasizes need to move ahead with the plan to help the Northwest's protected salmon and steelhead which has been stuck in court for two years.

"The plan has been developed collaboratively by federal agencies, three states, Native American tribes and other stakeholders and includes the best science for protecting fish runs," Flores said.  "Under the 2008 plan, hydro and fish can co-exist and prosper which aligns with the public's goals."

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

Click here for more information about the poll.