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Settlement offers power benefits for all Basin irrigators
By
MATT WALTER
Guest writer
There is much talk these days about the pros
and cons of a “settlement” that works to allocate water in
the Klamath Basin, create certainty about irrigation, and
help with big power bill increases. Upper Klamath Water
Users Association has been working to assure that
off-Project ranches can choose (or decline) to qualify for
the same benefits that go to Klamath Project irrigators.
What hasn’t been talked about much is a very important part of the settlement package called “local community power” (found in Section 5 of the proposed final hydroelectric settlement agreement).
It benefits anyone who pumps water because it guarantees Pacific Power’s commitment to help with bill credits and distribution of future benefits contained in the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement.
Agencies work on affordable power
There are a number of benefits – all which serve all irrigators in the Basin, on and off the Project.
Probably the most important is that the Department of Interior will work with the Bonneville Power Administration to deliver affordable federal power to loads in the Basin. And PacifiCorp, Pacific Power’s parent company, has agreed to deliver energy obtained from other sources to all eligible irrigator loads.
In addition, the section outlines that PacifiCorp will agree to cooperate in developing – or purchasing – any future renewable energy that might be developed by the Klamath Water and Power Authority (which Upper Klamath Water Users Association will cooperate with for off-Project settling parties).
Significant funds for developing renewable energy are provided for in the restoration agreement and are intended to offset the higher costs of power.
Finally, Section 5 develops a “bill crediting system” by which the revenues from renewable energy generation or any other offsets that may be developed are distributed out to eligible irrigators to decrease power bills.
Anything that helps the viability of agriculture helps the whole Basin. Affordable power bills help us keep viable operations, protect big tracts of land, and prevent subdivision that is harmful to the resource. Every dollar that stays in Klamath Basin is value added to the community.
Getting benefits for the off-Project would not have happened without the diligent efforts of a few dedicated individuals.
Upper Klamath Water Users, Klamath Water Users Association, and Klamath Water and Power Authority are working together with other stakeholders in the settlement to include on and off-Project irrigators in all power programs.
Building rapport and having mutual respect for other parties in the settlement negotiations accomplishes much more than an adversarial approach. We are making Klamath Basin agriculture as strong as possible within the tough realities of the world we face today.
Unity, patience will be needed
The groundwork is emerging for on- and off-Project irrigators to achieve viable irrigation power assistance. Like all else, working through the power issue is very complex, will take a unified effort to achieve — and also some patience.
The work the Upper Klamath Water Users Association is doing to ensure reliable water supplies and regulatory assurances will also require patience, but contribute to the long-term success of agriculture in the Basin. Our goal is to give our children and grandchildren the same opportunities that many families have enjoyed for decades.
o o o
On a more somber note, our condolences go out to the family of Vern Church who recently passed away. He was a colleague in the water issues of the Klamath Basin, and will be missed.
About the author:
Matt Walter is vice president of the Upper Klamath Water Users Association. He has been a rancher and irrigator in the Sprague River Valley for 10 years. He says his biggest concerns for the ranching community are power rates and junior water rights.
What hasn’t been talked about much is a very important part of the settlement package called “local community power” (found in Section 5 of the proposed final hydroelectric settlement agreement).
It benefits anyone who pumps water because it guarantees Pacific Power’s commitment to help with bill credits and distribution of future benefits contained in the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement.
Agencies work on affordable power
There are a number of benefits – all which serve all irrigators in the Basin, on and off the Project.
Probably the most important is that the Department of Interior will work with the Bonneville Power Administration to deliver affordable federal power to loads in the Basin. And PacifiCorp, Pacific Power’s parent company, has agreed to deliver energy obtained from other sources to all eligible irrigator loads.
In addition, the section outlines that PacifiCorp will agree to cooperate in developing – or purchasing – any future renewable energy that might be developed by the Klamath Water and Power Authority (which Upper Klamath Water Users Association will cooperate with for off-Project settling parties).
Significant funds for developing renewable energy are provided for in the restoration agreement and are intended to offset the higher costs of power.
Finally, Section 5 develops a “bill crediting system” by which the revenues from renewable energy generation or any other offsets that may be developed are distributed out to eligible irrigators to decrease power bills.
Anything that helps the viability of agriculture helps the whole Basin. Affordable power bills help us keep viable operations, protect big tracts of land, and prevent subdivision that is harmful to the resource. Every dollar that stays in Klamath Basin is value added to the community.
Getting benefits for the off-Project would not have happened without the diligent efforts of a few dedicated individuals.
Upper Klamath Water Users, Klamath Water Users Association, and Klamath Water and Power Authority are working together with other stakeholders in the settlement to include on and off-Project irrigators in all power programs.
Building rapport and having mutual respect for other parties in the settlement negotiations accomplishes much more than an adversarial approach. We are making Klamath Basin agriculture as strong as possible within the tough realities of the world we face today.
Unity, patience will be needed
The groundwork is emerging for on- and off-Project irrigators to achieve viable irrigation power assistance. Like all else, working through the power issue is very complex, will take a unified effort to achieve — and also some patience.
The work the Upper Klamath Water Users Association is doing to ensure reliable water supplies and regulatory assurances will also require patience, but contribute to the long-term success of agriculture in the Basin. Our goal is to give our children and grandchildren the same opportunities that many families have enjoyed for decades.
o o o
On a more somber note, our condolences go out to the family of Vern Church who recently passed away. He was a colleague in the water issues of the Klamath Basin, and will be missed.
About the author:
Matt Walter is vice president of the Upper Klamath Water Users Association. He has been a rancher and irrigator in the Sprague River Valley for 10 years. He says his biggest concerns for the ranching community are power rates and junior water rights.
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