Latest news with #BonnevillePowerAdministration
American Military News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- American Military News
Trump halts efforts to tear out lower Snake River dams in Washington and Idaho
President Trump signed a memo intended to save the lower Snake River dams in Eastern Washington on Thursday, reversing Biden administration actions that helped support efforts to remove the hydroelectric dams. Trump said in a memo that his administration was 'committed to protecting the American people from radical green agenda policies that make their lives more expensive, and to maximizing the beneficial uses of our existing energy infrastructure and natural resources to generate energy and lower the cost of living.' He revoked the Biden Administration's 'Restoring Healthy and Abundant Salmon, Steelhead and Other Native Fish Populations in the Columbia River Basin' memo, which Trump's administration said placed concerns about climate change above the nation's interests in reliable energy. Trump's memo called for a withdrawal from actions that grew out of that memo, including an agreement between the federal government, the states of Washington and Oregon, and Northwest tribes signed in February 2024. The agreement stopped short of a federal decision to remove the dams, but supporters of the dams called it a roadmap to breaching them. Removing the dams from Ice Harbor Dam near the Tri-Cities upriver to Lower Granite Dam near Lewiston, Idaho, 'would be devastating for the region,' Trump's memo said. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., who has fought to save the dams, thanked Trump for his 'decisive actions.' Removing the dams would have 'threatened the reliability of our power grid, raised energy prices and decimated our ability to export grain to foreign markets,' Newhouse said. But Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said, 'Donald Trump doesn't know the first thing about the Northwest and our way of life …. This decision is grievously wrong and couldn't be more short sighted.' She said the agreement put the region on the path to recovering endangered salmon populations, while preserving the benefits of the lower Snake River dams. The agreement led to a pause in a nearly 30-year-old court case over Columbia River system dams, with the stay now in jeopardy, Murray said. Under the agreement the federal government was required to spend more than $1 billion, including $300 million from the Bonneville Power Administration, over a decade to restore native fish and their habitats. The Department of Energy would help develop tribally sponsored clean energy infrastructure to help replace hydropower production should the four dams be torn down. Studies would be conducted by the federal government or with federal funding on how the services now provided by the dams could be replaced, including the barging of farm products and other goods, irrigation, recreation and electricity production. ___ © 2025 Idaho Statesman. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump halts efforts to tear out lower Snake River dams in WA and Idaho
President Trump signed a memo intended to save the lower Snake River dams in Eastern Washington on Thursday, reversing Biden administration actions that helped support efforts to remove the hydroelectric dams. Trump said in a memo that his administration was 'committed to protecting the American people from radical green agenda policies that make their lives more expensive, and to maximizing the beneficial uses of our existing energy infrastructure and natural resources to generate energy and lower the cost of living.' He revoked the Biden Administration's 'Restoring Healthy and Abundant Salmon, Steelhead and Other Native Fish Populations in the Columbia River Basin' memo, which Trump's administration said placed concerns about climate change above the nation's interests in reliable energy. Trump's memo called for a withdrawal from actions that grew out of Biden's memo, including an agreement between the federal government, the states of Washington and Oregon, and Northwest tribes signed in February 2024. The agreement stopped short of a federal decision to remove the dams, but supporters and opponents of the dams called it a roadmap to breaching them, according to the Northwest Public Power Association. Removing the dams from Ice Harbor Dam near the Tri-Cities upriver to Lower Granite Dam near Lewiston, Idaho, 'would be devastating for the region,' Trump's memo said. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., who has fought to save the dams throughout his decade in federal office, thanked Trump for his 'decisive actions.' Removing the dams would have 'threatened the reliability of our power grid, raised energy prices and decimated our ability to export grain to foreign markets,' Newhouse said. But Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said, 'Donald Trump doesn't know the first thing about the Northwest and our way of life .... This decision is grievously wrong and couldn't be more shortsighted.' She said the 'once-in-a-generation' agreement brokered by the Biden administration put the region on the path to recovering endangered salmon populations, while preserving the benefits of the lower Snake River dams. The agreement led to a pause in a nearly 30-year-old court case over Columbia River system dams, with the stay now in jeopardy, Murray said. Under the agreement the federal government was required to spend more than $1 billion, including $300 million from the Bonneville Power Administration, over a decade to restore native fish and their habitats. The Department of Energy would help develop tribal sponsored clean energy infrastructure to help replace hydropower production should the four dams be torn down. Studies would be conducted by the federal government or with federal funding on how the services now provided by the dams could be replaced, including the barging of farm products and other goods, irrigation, recreation and electricity production. Reaction to Trump's announcement was mixed, with those who rely on the dams supportive of Trump's decision and environmental interests unhappy. Here's what those supporting Trump's decision had to say: ▪ Biden administration policies put the Snake River dams on a path to being destroyed, which would have cost tens of billions of dollars and eliminated a reliable source of electricity the state will need to meet rapidly increasing demand, said Todd Myers, vice president for research of the Washington Policy Center. He pointed out that the Trump administration estimated that the destruction of the dams would have eliminated more than 3,000 megawatts of secure and reliable hydroelectric generating capacity. That is enough electricity for 2.5 million homes. Much work remains to recover salmon on the Snake River, but fixating on the Snake River dams and hoping that their removal will be a silver bullet is not the answer, he said. ▪ The agreement brokered by the Biden administration that Trump is now rolling back was negotiated in secret, with participation from public power utilities deliberately excluded from discussions, said Kurt Miller, executive director of the Northwest Public Power Association. '(It) was never authorized or endorsed by the people or communities most affected by increasing energy costs,' he said. Losing the hydropower from the four lower Snake River dams could increase electricity rates by 40% or more for many communities and increase the risk of regional blackouts, he said. The next steps don't need to involve the courtroom, he said. 'Across the region, public power utilities are working side by side with tribes and conservationists to improve fish passage, restore habitats and innovate hatchery practices — all while maintaining the clean energy backbone of the Northwest,' he said. ▪ 'Hydroelectric power is the reason the lights stay on in the region,' said Jim Matheson, chief executive officer of the National Rural Electric cooperative Association. The association said that the dams are a critical source of reliable, always-available electricity for the Pacific Northwest and were jeopardized by the Biden administration. ▪ The Washington Association of Wheat Growers said the actions resulting from Trump's announcement reflect an understanding of not only family farmers and ranchers, but the regional economy. More than 60% of Washington wheat exports are transported by river barges, it said. Here is what opponents of the dams had to say: ▪ Margaret Townsend, attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, predicted a return to more costly litigation over management of the hydroelectric system in federal court. 'Trump's reckless move to scrap this settlement puts imperiled salmon, southern resident orcas and tribal treaty rights at even greater risk,' she said. 'The deal marked real progress toward removing the four lower Snake River dams, which is critical to restoring the Columbia Basin and saving rare wildlife from extinction.' The endangered southern resident orca whale population feeds primarily on chinook salmon along the Washington coast. 'Tearing up the agreement ignores science and tribal sovereignty, and one big result will be more costly litigation,' Townsend said. ▪ Trump's announcement echoed the federal government's historic pattern of broken promises to tribes, said Gerald Lewis, Yakama Tribal Council chairman. 'The federal government's historic river management approach is unsustainable and will lead to salmon extinction,' he said. 'Courtroom battles cannot provide the innovative, holistic solutions we need.' Terminating the agreement brokered by the Biden administration 'will severely disrupt vital fisheries restoration efforts, eliminate certainty for hydro operations, and likely result in increased energy costs and regional instability,' Lewis said. ▪ Earthjustice said the Biden administration agreement among federal, tribal and state governments was an unprecedented opportunity and the Northwest's best path forward to solve complex regional issues. It offered a way to restore imperiled salmon populations while planning ahead to modernize infrastructure and replace the benefits provided by the lower Snake River dams. 'This administration may be giving up on our salmon, but we will keep fighting to prevent extinction and realize win-win solutions for the region,' said Earthjustice Senior Attorney Amanda Goodin. ▪ The Biden administration agreement set the Northwest on a path to restore a strong fishing economy and honor tribal treaty rights,' said Liz Hamilton, policy director of the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association. 'It's a big loss for the Northwest's economy, and a dagger to the heart of our industry,' she said. 'The sportfishing industry is a cultural and economic engine generating over $5 billion in economic output for the region, creating jobs for nearly 37,000.' ▪ Wild Columbia and Snake river salmon exist on borrowed time, said Greg McReynolds, Idaho Rivers United's executive director. 'The administration's decision to abandon these commitments is exceptionally shortsighted and deeply troubling,' he said. ▪ Miles Johnson, legal director of Columbia Riverkeeper, agreed that Trump's decision was shortsighted, but said it would interrupt, but not derail, 'strong partnerships for salmon recovery and lower Snake River dam removal.'
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tri-Cities at rising risk for blackouts. But $100M Badger Canyon project draws concerns
The Bonneville Power Administration is proposing a $107 million transmission project for the Tri-Cities area that would help solve two problems — the Tri-Cities growing risk of blackouts and the lack of electricity available to attract new industry. Construction could start as soon as spring 2026 on the project just south of the Tri-Cities. It would increase BPA's transmission capacity in the greater Tri-Cities area by 66%. The 18-mile long, 115-kilovolt transmission line would start at the Badger Canyon Substation on West Clearwater Avenue, and be built through Badger Canyon south of Richland, Then it would go through Webber Canyon in the Horse Heaven Hills and west to a proposed Webber Canyon Substation near County Well Road. The only part of its route not yet decided is a stretch just south of Richland where some farmers and homeowners are concerned it would be built too close to their homes or require some of their land. 'This line is all about making sure there's sufficient transmission capacity to keep the lights on in the Tri-Cities area,' said Jeff Cook, an acting BPA vice president, in a statement. 'It also would help local utilities keep pace with growth and provide electric service to new and existing end-use customers.' Now the transmission lines that bring power into the Tri-Cities are at risk of becoming overloaded during periods of high electricity use, leading to potential black outs in the area, according to BPA. When loads surpass 1,100 megawatts in BPA's Tri-Cities service area — which includes Benton, Franklin, Walla Walla and Grant counties — a single transmission line outage can cause system operating limits to be exceeded, which can lead to a loss of power. Loads in the Tri-Cities area have surpassed 1,100 megawatt on hot days every summer for the past 10 years, according to BPA. During a July 2017 heatwave, a combination of high electricity use and equipment failures came close to triggering load shedding — interrupting the flow of electricity to prevent overloading the grid. BPA has developed procedures since then to reduce that risk, but 'the situation remains tenuous,' according to the BPA's draft environmental assessment determination for the South of Tri-Cities Reinforcement Project. BPA expects the greater Tri-Cities area to reach the 1,100 megawatts threshold with increasing frequency as the demand for electricity continues to grow over the next decade, putting long-term reliability of the grid at risk, the draft assessment said. Taking one BPA line serving the Tri-Cities area out of service for regular maintenance also increases chances that other lines become overloaded. As a result, maintenance of BPA systems has been put off, increasing the risk of equipment failure, the draft assessment said. Now maintenance must be avoided during high demand times — both the heat of summer and cold of winter — and also when there are seasonal restrictions on producing hydropower to help endangered salmon. Clean energy development and data centers in the area also would be addressed by the proposed new transmission project. Requests to integrate new power generation sources, such as wind and solar projects like the Horse Heaven Clean Energy Center, into BPA's transmission system are contributing to anticipated capacity issues in the greater Tri-Cities area, the draft assessment said. And data center demands from the Boardman and Umatilla, Ore., areas are increasing the strain on the transmission lines through the greater Tri-Cities area, according to the draft assessment. The 66% increase in BPA's transmission capacity to the Tri-Cities area would be welcomed by business interests. The Tri-Cities needs significantly more transmission capacity if it is going to attract large industrial projects that offer family wage jobs, said David Reeploeg, a Tri-City Development Council vice president. TRIDEC supports the proposed transmission project. The project also is important to support the future growth of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory based in Richland, Reeploeg said. The Department of Energy lab has a $1.6 billion annual research budget and about 6,400 employees. It also could help Atlas Agro, which is considering the Tri-Cities for its $1.1 billion green fertilizer plant, and needs the transmission project completed before it moves forward, he said. 'In the short term, it provides a significant addition to the regional capacity,' Reeploeg said. It would support industrial projects underway or planned now and provide some additional margin to attract new industrial projects, he said. But long term TRIDEC wants the additional generation that would be provided by advanced nuclear projects to meet power production demand created by Washington state's decarbonization goals, companies looking for large electric loads for data centers and new large industries, he said. Public comments submitted to BPA on the proposed project have focused on support for the project and concerns about the location of the project from the Leslie Road Substation in Richland to several miles to the west. BPA is considering one route for that section of the project that would follow railroad tracks from near Kennewick's Cottonwood Elementary along East Badger Road. A second alternative to the north of East Badger Road would parallel the north side of a Kennewick Irrigation District canal. The draft environmental assessment of the project found the railroad route to be the best option, but BPA is not bound to that recommendation. The railroad option would disturb less vegetation and wildlife than the canal option's route through 680 acres of high quality shrub steppe habitat, the draft assessment found. Landowners along the canal option route have opposed that option, saying some of their land would be needed for the project. It includes part of the six acres where Linda Utley has a greenhouse and other farming operations to grow plants, berries and florals for her shop, the Badger Canyon Tea Co. in Kennewick. The Utleys have lived in Badger Canyon for more than 50 years, the last 30 years at their current location. The Utley home would be 250 feet from transmission lines, which would run along two sides of her property because the route turns there, she said. Humming from the lines could create a sound problem, she said, Arleen Fetrow said her house would be even closer at 150 feet from transmission lines. Utley is also concerned about preserving 250 30-year-old Austrian pines that line the private gravel road that provides access to homes along that section of the canal. The public can comment on the transmission line project's draft environmental assessment, including whether it should use the railroad or canal route, until June 21. Call 800-622-4519 or post online at Written comments may be sent to Bonneville Power Administration; Communications – DKS-7; P.O. Box 14428; Portland, OR 97291-4428.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lane County at a glance: News from in and around Eugene
The Eugene Water & Electric Board is preparing to make a long-term energy supply decision that could cost nearly $2 billion over the next 20 years, according to a press release issued by the utility. The decision centers on a new contract with the Bonneville Power Administration, which supplies about 80% of EWEB's current electricity. BPA, a federal agency, sells hydropower from Columbia River basin dams to public utilities throughout the Pacific Northwest. EWEB's current contract with BPA expires in 2028, but the utility must choose a new product by July and sign a contract by the end of the year. The new agreement will span 16 years. BPA offers multiple energy products that vary in price, timing, and delivery methods. After a year of analysis, EWEB has narrowed its options to two: "load following" and "block with shaping." The utility is leaning toward the load following product, which offers greater access to flexible hydropower during periods of high demand, such as the coldest winter days and hottest summer days. "This is a choice between good choices," EWEB General Manager Frank Lawson said in the press release. "No matter what product we choose, we're still getting at-cost BPA and federal system power. That system — dominated by hydroelectricity from the Columbia basin — was built by visionary people in earlier generations and it continues to serve us well today." EWEB reported that February 2024 saw the highest winter energy demand in nearly a decade due to subfreezing temperatures. Summer demand is also rising, nearly breaking a record in July 2023. EWEB's analysis projects that the load following product would cost about $1.6 million less per year than block with shaping, largely due to reduced uncertainty around peak energy costs. PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend has named James Roundtree as its new chief operating officer, effective June 2. Roundtree brings more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, including roles in surgical services, physician relations, and major hospital renovations. Most recently, he served as vice president of Surgical and Cardiovascular Services at Washington Regional Medical Center in Arkansas, where he oversaw more than 400 employees and led a $75 million renovation. "We are excited to add James to our leadership team at RiverBend," Dr. Jim McGovern, PeaceHealth Oregon's chief hospital executive, said in a press release. A former U.S. Army perioperative nurse, Roundtree holds a nursing degree and an MBA from Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He has also held leadership positions in hospitals in Texas and Oklahoma. The Bureau of Land Management will enact seasonal fire restrictions beginning May 15 on all BLM-managed public lands in Oregon and Washington, officials said. The restrictions are intended to reduce the risk of wildfires as warmer, drier weather settles over the Pacific Northwest. They include a ban on fireworks, exploding or metallic targets, steel component ammunition (core or jacket), tracer or incendiary devices, and sky lanterns. "The number of human-caused fires has only increased over the years," said Jeff Fedrizzi, BLM Oregon and Washington State Fire Management Officer, in a press release issued by the agency. Grasses and other vegetation dry quickly in summer and are highly flammable, increasing the chance of wildfire sparked by human activity. According to BLM, even a single spark can ignite a large blaze. "Our first responders, local communities, and public lands will be safer if everyone follows fire restrictions and practices fire safety while out on public lands," Fedrizzi said. Violating the fire restrictions can result in a fine of up to $100,000 and/or up to 12 months in prison. Anyone found responsible for starting a wildfire may also be held liable for the full cost of suppression. The agency urges all public lands visitors to review current fire restrictions and closures before traveling. Details are available at May is also Wildfire Awareness Month. Wildfire prevention tips are available through the National Interagency Fire Center at The Regional Forest Practice Committee for southwest Oregon will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the Oregon Department of Forestry office, 87950 Territorial Highway in Veneta. The public may attend in person or join online via Microsoft Teams. The committee is scheduled to hear division and agency updates, a status report on the Habitat Conservation Plan, revisions to the Operator of the Year Program, an update on the Compliance Monitoring Project, and a review of technical guidance related to stream crossings. Public comments will be accepted during the meeting. Requests for disability accommodations or special materials and services must be made at least 48 hours in advance by calling 503-945-7200 or emailing forestryinformation@ The Walterville Grange will host its annual Play Festival on Friday, May 30, at the Walterville Grange Community Hall, 39259 Camp Creek Road. The event is free and open to the public. The festival begins at 7 p.m. and will feature two performances, one by the Walterville Grange and another by guest performers from the Crow Grange. Doors open early to allow time for attendees to find seating and socialize. Refreshments will be served following the performances. Nonperishable food donations will be collected for the Up River Pantry food bank. Contributions to support the Grange Hall will also be accepted. For more information, call 541-521-4760 and leave a message. Calls will be returned. Lane County Emergency Management will conduct its annual test of the Lane Alerts emergency notification system at 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21. Depending on each subscriber's contact preferences, the test will include emails, voice calls and text messages. Lane Alerts is a free, opt-in system that notifies residents of emergencies based on specific locations they choose. "We do this test each year for two reasons," said Lane County Emergency Manager Tiffany Brown. "First, it's a great reminder to double-check our Lane Alerts registrations to make sure the location and contact information is up to date. It's also a good opportunity to review the wildfire preparedness information we include in the test message and ready ourselves ahead of the summer season." Residents can sign up or update their information at Users can choose to receive alerts about multiple addresses, including home, work, or a child's school. Lane Alerts notifications may include information about evacuations, severe weather, flooding, police activity, and other emergencies. This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: In brief: Lane County news and events
E&E News
12-05-2025
- Business
- E&E News
Bonneville Power finalizes decision to join Western market
The largest electricity supplier in the Pacific Northwest on Friday finalized its decision to join a market being formed by Arkansas-based Southwest Power Pool, rather than one out of California. The choice by the Bonneville Power Administration — a federal agency that distributes hydropower from the Columbia River Basin — sets the stage for the West to be bifurcated between two day-ahead markets after decades of trying to organize the region. Joining SPP's Markets+ operation will allow BPA to buy and sell power on a day-ahead market with a wider footprint of trading partners. In a letter Friday announcing the decision, BPA Administrator and CEO John Hairston said the decision 'offers an opportunity to ensure a reliable, abundant and affordable energy supply for consumers in the Northwest.' Advertisement A broader day-ahead market is expected to lower costs and increase reliability by offering participants a larger pool of resources to buy from. It is also likely to boost low-cost renewable power.
