The Northwest benefits tremendously from the federal dams on the Columbia River system. In addition to the generation of clean, renewable and economical power, the dams provide irrigation, transportation, flood control and recreation.  While we recognize the federal hydro system has a responsibility to mitigate for the effects of the system on fish and wildlife, this must be done effectively and efficiently as possible.  Funding for fish and wildlife mitigation is paid for through BPA rates and is passed on to the consumers.  Over 20% of your power bill pays for fish and wildlife programs through BPA.  Investments now total almost $7 billion.

As investments continue in the future there must be responsible and balanced management of the river resource.  Benton PUD, other public power utilities and entities have joined together to form the Coalition for Smart Salmon Recovery.  The Coalition represents a diverse group of utility and river interests and works to promote responsible and balanced management of the river resources.  Benton PUD is actively involved with this group and Benton PUD Manager Jim Sanders serves on the steering committee.  As a unified voice, the Coalition will push formore smart salmon recovery policies and work at educating our customers and our delegation in Washington D.C.  For more information about the Coalition, check out www.smartsalmonrecovery.org.

The Latest News on Summer Spill

U.S. District Court Judge Redden granted a request by the National Wildlife Federation and other environmental interests to require an aggressive summer spill program this summer at five dams on the Snake and Columbia Rivers.  This excessive spill requirement will be in addition to spill that already takes place at dams as part of the ongoing efforts to protest salmon in the hydropower system.

This decision will cost ratepayers in excess of $67 million and could result in a rate increase from the Bonneville Power Administration to recoup costs from lost power sales. The U.S. District Court’s ruling invalidated the BiOp, the federal government’s plan to operate the dams for fish survival over the next 10 years. Recently the federal government was sued by tribal entities, environmental organizations, and outdoor groups to prevent the BiOp from taking effect.

Fish and wildlife costs account for 20 percent of Benton PUD’s customers’ electric bill.  The U.S. District Court’s decision ignores science and exposes salmon to dangerous conditions. The National Marine Fisheries Service developed a plan for fish survival using decades of research and analysis. This plan calls for transport of young salmon as far downstream as possible in order to avoid the predators that warm water attracts. Increased spill makes this much less effective because fewer fish can be collected and moved downstream.