Northwest Public Power Association Hires New Director of Learning & Workforce Development (Northwest Public Power Association)

(VANCOUVER, WA) -- The Northwest Public Power Association has hired Mike Hyatt-Evenson to be the association’s director of learning and workforce development effective February 18. Hyatt-Evenson fills the position left by Elaine Dixon, who retired earlier this year.

Hyatt-Evenson comes to NWPPA with nearly 20 years of leadership experience in the learning and development industry. For the past 15 years, he has served as the head of global sales learning and development for Verizon Media and worked for Yahoo! before it was purchased. In these positions, he developed learning strategies; managed a team of learning and development professionals; and partnered with business leaders and influencers to build learning programs that furthered organizational goals and strategy.

Public Power Council Responds to Oregon Governor’s Stance on Removal of Snake River Dams (Public Power Council)

(PORTLAND, OR) -- The Public Power Council acknowledges today’s letter from Oregon Governor Brown concerning the long-term future of the federal projects on the Lower Snake River. Because of the complexity of impacts, and the variety of stakeholder interests, PPC is eagerly anticipating the release of the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in the Columbia River System Operation (CRSO) process before evaluating specific alternatives.

It is particularly unfortunate timing that Oregon took a position for breaching federal multipurpose projects just ahead of the release of the draft CRSO EIS. All parties are free to weigh in, but the future of any federal project is squarely a federal decision.

The CRSO EIS process is the appropriate venue for consideration of the operation of the federal hydropower system and how to balance its benefits and impacts for the entire Pacific Northwest. With the release of the draft EIS just days away, Oregon’s position may hinder the potential for collaboration among the diverse stakeholders in the region.

Breaching of the Lower Snake River projects would have broad economic consequences for the region, including the 25 percent of Oregon ratepayers served by non-profit, public utilities that rely on the Bonneville Power Administration for reliable, economic, and low-carbon power. Moreover, Oregon’s position substantially undermines the state’s own environmental goals. We appreciate the acknowledgment of the key role of hydropower in our region. The federal hydro system, including the Lower Snake River projects, represents the nation’s largest source of flexible, reliable, and carbon-free electricity. Degradation of the hydro system exacerbates the challenges of climate change rather than moving towards solutions.

The parties that decide to abandon the search for collaborative solutions should not continue to reap the benefits of that collaboration, including the fish and wildlife mitigation funding those parties receive from Bonneville’s ratepayers.

It is our sincere hope that all parties realize the benefits of continued cooperation rather than division.

About the Public Power Council

The Public Power Council, established in 1966, is an association that represents over 100 consumer-owned electric utilities in the Pacific Northwest. PPC’s mission is to preserve and protect the benefits of the Federal Columbia River Power System for consumer-owned utilities. PPC is a key forum to identify, discuss and build consensus around energy and utility issues.

Response from Northwest RiverPartners to Letter From Governor Brown on the Lower Snake River Dams (Northwest RiverPartners)

By Kurt Miller, Executive Director, Northwest RiverPartners

(VANCOUVER, WA) -- Northwest RiverPartners and its members advocate for a clean energy future that embraces the preservation of fish & wildlife and doesn’t leave vulnerable communities behind.

Our organization supports the lower Snake River dams (LSRD) because of the large amount of carbon-free, affordable electricity they produce as well as the economic base these dams provide for Pacific Northwest agricultural workers.

While we appreciate the intention behind Governor Brown’s letter, and we support her near-term practical suggestions for increased fish hatchery production, we are disappointed by her advocacy for breaching the LSRD as a long-term solution.

We believe that the many billions of dollars it would take to breach the dams and replace their capabilities would be much more effectively spent on cleaning up the Puget Sound, where the Southern Resident orcas spend most of their lives.

It is well documented that the Puget Sound suffers from high levels of toxicity which affect both Pacific Salmon and orcas. Salmon in the Puget Sound have been found with measurable levels of antidepressants, nicotine, herbicides, and even cocaine in their systems. Because orcas eat large amounts of salmon, these toxins become concentrated in their fat. These substances may be passed along to orca calves through their mothers’ milk.

It will take massive investments and the whole region pulling together to repair the Puget Sound and its tributaries so that the area is suitable for healthy salmon and orca populations.

NEPA Process

We respect the Governor’s ability to offer an opinion on the LSRD, but it is important to note that the federal National Environmental Policy Act governs the operations of the federal dams.

The NEPA process takes a holistic approach, examining fish and wildlife, socioeconomic aspects, power supply, and irrigation and barging. We are confident that this comprehensive examination will find that the best course for the Pacific Northwest is to keep the lower Snake River dams in place. The NEPA Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the LSRD is scheduled to be released to the Federal Register on 2/28/20.

Pacific Northwest Energy Shortage

As Gov. Brown has stated, it is imperative that we preserve our hydropower system to help achieve our long-term climate goals and safely add intermittent renewables, such as wind and solar power, to the grid.

However, what is conspicuously missing from the Governor’s comments is the dire situation the Pacific Northwest currently faces due to the very real possibility of a regional energy shortage.

Pacific Northwest utilities are shutting down thousands of megawatts of coal generation plants to help fight climate change. Most energy forecasters are now predicting the possibility of an energy shortage or even region-wide blackouts. Breaching the LSRD--which can generate enough carbon-free energy each year to power a city the size of Seattle--would greatly increase the risk to the Pacific Northwest.

Contrary to dated reports, the capabilities of these dams cannot be easily or inexpensively replaced. A recent analysis showed that the energy costs, alone, for LSRD replacement would be close to $1 billion annually, It would also require new long-distance transmission lines to be constructed and the installation of untested amounts of utility-scale batteries.

At a time when the region is very concerned about equitable energy solutions, this kind of cost increase would be particularly punishing to vulnerable communities across the Pacific Northwest.

Salmon

We collectively share the responsibility to preserve endangered salmon and look to decarbonize our economy in responsible ways. NWRP embraces science-based efforts to that end.

Recent science has questioned the potential benefit of breaching the LSRD for salmon recovery. The NOAA Fisheries Science Center recently published a peer-reviewed study[1] that brings into serious question the benefit that increased spill levels or dam breaching would mean for Snake River salmon.

Additionally, researchers have noted a near synchronous decline in worldwide salmon populations, likely related to climate change and its effect on the oceans. Our oceans are sick with excess heat and carbon, resulting in acidification and the loss of prey critical to salmon.

Given this trend, it seems very unlikely that we can restore healthy Snake River salmon populations until our oceans return to a healthy state. This is a key reason we believe it is wrong to remove the LSRD, which can displace as much carbon as two Boardman coal plants running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If we truly want to save salmon, we need to protect our oceans from excessive heat and carbon. If we genuinely want our clean energy future to include everyone, we need it to be affordable. To do both, the Pacific Northwest needs the lower Snake River dams.

[1] “Associations among Fish Length, Dam Passage History, and Survival to

Adulthood in Two At-Risk Species of Pacific Salmon”, Transactions of the American Fisheries Society

About Northwest RiverPartners

Northwest RiverPartners is a member-driven organization that serves not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. We also proudly represent partners that support clean energy, low-carbon transportation, and agricultural jobs.

x

Pacific Northwest Waterways Association Reacts to Oregon Governor's Snake River Dams Letter (Pacific Northwest Waterways Association)

(PORTLAND, OR) -- The Pacific Northwest Waterways Association reacted today to Oregon Governor Kate Brown's Feb. 11 letter to Washington Governor Jay Inslee, expressing Brown's support for breaching the four lower Snake River dams.

"We share Governor Brown's passion for the recovery of the three southern resident orca pods that frequent Puget Sound, and the Snake River salmon runs that make up a portion of those orcas' diet. But the timing of the governor's letter is surprising. The federal agencies that operate the lower Snake River dams and others in the Columbia Basin are currently conducting a comprehensive science-based evaluation of salmon and the river system, and will issue a draft report and recommendations at the end of February. That report is being developed in collaboration with and input from a variety of Oregon and Washington state agencies," said PNWA Executive Director Kristin Meira.

"The States of Oregon and Washington, like all other partners and stakeholders of these federal projects, will have an opportunity to review and provide feedback on the draft environmental impact statement in just a few weeks. Indeed, Governor Inslee's office commissioned a $750,000 stakeholder engagement process to inform his review and feedback. It is surprising to see a letter of this nature, expressing a position for the State of Oregon for an extreme approach on the river system, prior to the release of the federal agencies' proposed operations," Meira said.

"PNWA is also concerned about the scientifically inaccurate information in the letter. Its portrayal of the role and importance of the lower Snake River dams in the survival of the southern resident orcas is at odds with information available from NOAA Fisheries, the federal agency responsible fro the recovery of both orcas and Chinook salmon," Meira said.

"The lower Snake River dams are federal projects. Since their construction in the 1960s and 1970s, every presidential administration and every Congress has recognized the immense benefits to the region those projects provide, and funded their continued operation accordingly and without interruption," Meira said.

As conversations continue in the region and the federal study process moves forward, PNWA will continue to support clean renewable hydropower, efficient barge transportation, and science-based salmon recovery.

About the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association

The Pacific Northwest Waterways Association is a non-profit trade association of ports, businesses, public agencies and individuals who support navigation, energy, trade and economic development throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The Federal Ban on Marijuana Is Making It Harder for the Cannabis Industry to Go Green (Politico Morning Energy)

(WASHINGTON, DC) -- Marijuana is the nation's most energy-intensive crop and federal prohibition makes it difficult for the industry to clean up its act, Politico's Natalie Fertig and Gavin Bade report.

Roughly two-thirds of Americans now live in states with some form of legal sales. But as the market expands, regulators and activists are pushing the industry to become more efficient — and that might require federal legalization. Because marijuana is banned under federal law, cannabis cannot be regulated, nor can its environmental effects be researched by EPA. It also means it cannot be traded across state lines, leading to inefficient, indoor growing operations in states that would simply source their raw product from elsewhere were it legal, the pair reports. And in most cases, banks are banned from providing loans that would allow growers to make sustainability upgrades.

"You have this crazy supply-demand imbalance in the cannabis industry," said Allyson Browne, an independent cannabis policy consultant with a background in renewable energy. "You have markets that are being forced to produce all of their demands within their market, and that may not be the most efficient way to operate."

Chad Bartram Benton PUD General Manager to Retire - New Manager to Be Appointed (Washington PUD Association)

(KENNEWICK, WA) -- Chad Bartram, Benton PUD General Manager since January 2013, has provided notice to Benton PUD Commissioners of his intention to retire effective February 29, 2020.

At its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 28, the Benton PUD Board of Commissioners plan to introduce a resolution that will lead to the appointment of Rick Dunn as the General Manager effective March 1, 2020. The board anticipates final approval of the appointment at its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 11.

Bartram has been with the District for 19 years holding positions of Director of Finance & Business Services and General Manager. Previously, Bartram worked at Energy Northwest for 15 years and served on active duty as a U.S. Army officer for over 5 years.

Dunn, a native of the Tri-Cities area and graduate of Kiona-Benton High School in Benton City, is currently serving as the Senior Director of Engineering and Power Management and has been with Benton PUD since 2007. In his current role, Dunn is responsible for system engineering, distribution design, conservation and renewable energy programs, and power contracts and analytics. Dunn's previous utility experience includes working at Umatilla Electric Cooperative in Oregon and Salt River Project in Arizona. A graduate of Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Professional Engineer license, Dunn has more than 33 years of electrical power and utility systems engineering and operations experience in both the public and private sectors.

"The Commission is pleased with the strategic direction that has been underway for several years relative to maintaining low retail rates, improving customer service offerings, modernizing our electric system, and implementing advanced technologies" said Jeff Hall, President of the Benton PUD Commission. "We are fortunate to have Rick Dunn who is extremely well-qualified to build on these successes as well as address our next set of strategic challenges including acquisition of capacity resources to meet customer loads, securing power contracts and addressing uncertainty in west coast power markets."

"I am very thankful for having had the opportunity to work with such a great group of dedicated and skilled employees, and a supportive Board of Commissioners," said Bartram. "It is absolutely amazing what our employees have accomplished over the last several years. Under Rick's leadership, I see more great things ahead."

Thirty Utilities Across the State Support Snake River Dams (Franklin PUD, Pasco, WA – Benton PUD, Kennewick, WA)

(PASCO, WA) -- In resolutions highlighting their value to the environment and economy of the Pacific Northwest, thirty utilities across the state of Washington continue to support the four hydroelectric dams on eastern Washington’s Lower Snake River. In recent years, environmental groups have targeted the dams for removal.

Boards of Commissioners for public utility districts, and Boards of Trustees for Cooperatives, as well as cities and Energy Northwest continue to pass resolutions firmly stating that the “removal of elements of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS), including the Lower Snake River Dams would negatively impact our utility/city’s responsibility to provide reliable, efficient, clean and affordable power to its customers.”

“Removing the Lower Snake Dams is bad for the state of Washington and the region. Locally they mean efficient energy at an affordable cost and greater energy reliability for Franklin PUD customers,” said Franklin PUD Board President Roger Wright. “But to the region, especially Eastern Washington and the Columbia River Gorge, the impacts are even greater. They impact the lives of thousands of families through irrigation, navigable waterways, and outdoor recreation.”

Without the energy generated by the dams, the reliable flow of energy from the FCRPS would be threatened, a fact illustrated by a 2017 report from the Bonneville Power Administration.

“In January of 2017, when thousands of households across the Northwest needed power to stay warm, the output from wind generators varied from 3000 to 74 megawatts. Those are not numbers you can plan on to reliably power homes and businesses. At that same time, the Lower Snake Dams were generating nearly 1300 megawatts,” stated Dave Ward, General Manager, Grays Harbor PUD in Aberdeen, WA.

As the state moves closer to its new clean energy era there is increasing uncertainty in how utilities will provide reliable electric service. The biggest change is the rapid retirement and planned shutdown of coal‐fired power plants from the northwest power grid. The Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NWPCC) Power Supply Adequacy Assessment for 2024 identified the possibility that as much as 4,800 megawatts of coal‐fired generating capacity (equivalent to four Columbia Generating Station nuclear plants) could be retired in the region between now and 2028 and that without utility actions to build new plants with the ability to run during peak electricity demand scenarios, there could be a 26% probability by 2026 that grid operators may have to resort to some level of blackouts to maintain power grid stability. “Removal of the Snake River dams will erode the clean power supply portfolio that 135 BPA customers rely upon,” said Benton PUD Commissioner Jeff Hall. “Where will BPA customers turn to make up for the loss of this low‐cost baseload power supply?”

Proponents of dam removal often cite the impact the dams have on the salmon runs that Southern Resident Killer Whales rely on for survival. Numerous studies dispute that claim including fact sheets from NOAA Fisheries, the federal agency responsible for the recovery and livelihood of salmon.

Operators of hydroelectric facilities spend billions of dollars on programs to allow dams to coexist with the environment. Those programs have made a real difference, and dams and salmon can and do coexist. NOAA Fisheries reports show strong numbers of salmon making it downriver to the ocean and increasing numbers making it back upriver to spawn. To remove those dams would be a shortsighted error, driven by emotion rather than the facts.

Studies carried out by several groups including NOAA and the Environmental Protection Agency have shown that predation, ocean conditions, pollution and other factors have greater, far-reaching effects on salmon over their lifespan than the relatively brief period they spend around hydroelectric dams.

Many of the resolutions also highlight the irony that comes from the State Legislature passing a bill calling for a 100% emissions-free power system by 2045 called the Clean Energy Transformation Act, or CETA, while at the same time, environmental groups are seeking to dismantle parts of the infrastructure that make that clean, carbon‐free energy possible.

“Washington is leading the way in clean energy because of hydropower and yet there are those who would seek to cut the knees out of that system,” said Skolrood, Grays Harbor PUD Commissioner. We have made huge strides toward a 100% clean energy industry. Why in the world would we want to start moving backwards?”

x