(PASCO, WA) – The Pacific Northwest’s hydropower legacy
received a boost with the declaration of December 15 as “Hydropower
Appreciation Day” in Benton and Franklin Counties.
The two public utility district commissions approved
resolutions celebrating the Columbia and Snake River’s hydro system.
“Benton PUDs customers receive about 78 percent of their
electricity from hydroelectric dams,” said Lori Sanders, commission president.
“The Northwest today is an oasis of clean, carbon free, renewable energy - the result of its hydro heritage. The dams on the Columbia River and its
tributaries produce more electricity than any other North American river and
account for 40 percent of all U.S. hydropower. The four lower Snake River dams
include some of the most advanced and successful fish passage systems in the
world.”
“Along with carbon-free energy, the Columbia and Snake River
hydro system provides low-carbon transport of tens of millions of dollars of
farm goods and manufactured products through an efficient barging system,” said
Roger Wright, Franklin PUD commission president. “Irrigation has made eastern
Washington State boom with an amazing array of agricultural bounty. The system
of dams and locks also provides flood control, keeping our homes and cities
safe from high waters.”
Hydroelectricity is the crown jewel that makes renewable
power sources like wind and solar work in the Pacific Northwest. Hydropower can
be called on at a moment’s notice to fill in the gaps when there isn’t enough
wind or sun to generate electricity. Clean, reliable and renewable energy is
the reason big companies like Google, BMW, REC Silicon and others have located
operations in our region. This helps reduce their carbon footprint, save money
on operations, and raise their status among their competitors.
The two PUDs also reaffirmed their support for continuing
efforts to balance the benefit of hydropower with the responsibility of
protecting, improving, and sustaining fish and wildlife that are dependent on
the Columbia and Snake River’s ecosystem.
Benton PUD and Franklin PUD are members of Northwest River
Partners, an alliance of farmers, utilities, ports and businesses that promote
the economic and environmental benefits of the Columbia and Snake rivers; fish
and wildlife policies and programs based on sound science; and clean,
renewable, reliable hydropower. Fast
facts on why hydropower should be celebrated can be found at: http://nwriverpartners.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/NWRP_pocket_guide_2015_FINAL.pdf.
