Report from Northwest Power Costs Hearing

On July 7th Congressman Hastings brought the House Water and Power Subcommittee to Pasco to discuss "Electricity Costs and Salmon: Finding a Balance." 

The input gained from the hearing will be useful as Congress works to protect hydropower, improve energy policies and bring common sense to the Endangered Species Act.

At the hearing, panelists testified about dams, salmon and energy costs in the Northwest.  Individuals from a variety of perspectives discussed the impacts of electric rate increases driven by escalating fish costs.  The need for greater transparency and oversight over salmon spending and the ongoing litigation over federal dam operations was highlighted.  Additionally, several witnesses expressed support for legislation authored by Congresswoman Cathy McMorris and cosponsored by Hastings that would require the Bonneville Power Administration to detail fish-related costs on its utility customer bills.  

For a complete list of witnesses and to read their testimony, click here.

Excerpts from Congressman Hastings' remarks at the hearing follow: 

"I will restate for the record, unequivocally, that those dams are never going anywhere as long I have something to say about it...

We now have an unelected, and I believe unaccountable, federal judge in Portland who appears determined to run the river himself with little regard for the impacts of his decisions on this side of the mountains...As a result of his court orders, a steady drip of expensive fish measures of questionable value flows from his courtroom directly onto the backs of ratepayers and river users...

If we truly want to aid salmon, let's look at harvest policies, and utilizing hatcheries to supplement naturally-spawning salmon, and the ongoing unchecked predation of salmon by exploding populations of protected California sea lions and Caspian terns."

Click here to read Hastings ' complete opening statement. 

Congressman Hastings encourages those interested to share their thoughts on dams, salmon and Northwest energy costs with the House Water and Power Subcommittee by mail or by fax to:

Chairman George Radanovich
House Subcommittee on Water and Power
1522 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Fax: 202-226-6953