Going with the Flow – The Clean Water Act & Hydropower Relicensing (Politico, Morning Edition)

(WASHINGTON, DC) -- Long before President Donald Trump targeted Section 401 of the Clean

Water Act to rein in states' ability to block pipeline and coal export projects, the hydropower industry was already working to do the same, Pro's Annie Snider reports this morning.

The hydropower angle is a key reason why the bipartisan Western Governors Association has raised concerns about the proposal. The Trump administration's proposal runs head-long into a long-running fight over who gets to decide how much water a dam operator must let spill over the top of a dam or divert around the electricity-generating turbines — an action usually taken to benefit fish and wildlife.

States began looking to the Clean Water Act provision after a 1990 Supreme Court decision rejected an argument by California that the Federal Power Act gave it the right to set "minimum flow rates" for dams. The Supreme Court has agreed that states have broad latitude to set requirements like minimum flows under the water law in an opinion that poses a major legal hurdle for the administration's legal defense of the new rule.

About 325 hydropower projects representing 16 gigawatts of renewable power over the next 13 years are due for relicensing, according to the National Hydropower Association — and states have used the process in the past to leverage to impose strict new requirements on decades' old dams. But legal experts say there are major questions about whether the be able to continue to do so if the proposed rule is finalized.

Two-Year Study of Water levels at Lake Mead, Lake Powell to be Released (Politico, Morning Energy)

(WASHINGTON, DC) -- The Bureau of Reclamation is expected to release today a 24-month study of water elevations at Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the key reservoirs on the Colorado River. The study will offer a glimpse into the Colorado River's health following long-running drought — the first such look since the president signed the seven-state Drought Contingency Plan, H.R. 2030 (116), into law.

A wet winter season this year and enacted conservation programs have made it unlikely there will be a shortage declaration predicted for 2020, but the projected levels will provide direction on water releases and deliveries under the drought plan. "The question will be projecting the elevations, [and] what level of conservation will be triggered pursuant to that Drought Contingency Plan agreement," said Kevin Moran, senior director of Environmental Defense Fund's Colorado River Program. He was also a member of the steering committee that helped craft the Arizona DCP.

But while the study will likely give a relative sigh of relief after prolonged drought, Moran said future shortages remain likely. "The work we need to do in the region remains clear," he told ME, adding "the projections of climate scientists are disconcerting and really call on everyone in the region to think ahead and plan for a drier future."

James Eklund, former Colorado River representative for Colorado and current of counsel at Squire Patton Boggs, echoed that concern to ME. Given the run-off, he said, "the worst thing that could happen ... would be if people take a look at that 24-month study and they see a zero percent chance of a shortage declaration for the coming year, they will take their foot off the accelerator."

Franklin PUD’s Senior Public Affairs Manager Announces Retirement (Franklin PUD, Pasco, WA)

(PASCO, WA) -- Debbie Bone-Harris, Franklin PUD’s Sr. Public Affairs Manager will be retiring at the end of November 2019. 

“Bone-Harris has been a uniquely qualified leader who brings deep industry experience and shares our commitment to customers, clean energy, and to being a key part of the community," said Scott Rhees, Franklin PUD General Manager. Stacey Azure, Communications Specialist stated, “Debbie has been a strong leader at Franklin PUD and is an amazing co-worker and manager. She brings fresh ideas and energy to our organization and inspires others to do their best work every day – and she has a little fun while doing it.”

Bone-Harris began her career at Franklin PUD in 2003 and has held various roles throughout the utility with responsibility for community events, communications, legislative affairs, and public involvement. She has dedicated endless hours to preserving and educating customers and the public about the value of the federal Columbia and Snake River dam system, and working with state and federal legislators in Olympia and Washington D.C.  Prior to joining Franklin PUD, she spent 20 years working at Hanford in various positions.

She holds a number of leadership roles including sitting on the Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Visit Tri-Cities and Tri-Cities Legislative Council Board of Directors as well as previously sitting on the Board of Directors for TRIDEC. In the electric industry she sits on boards for the Washington Public Utility District Association, Northwest Public Power Association, and the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association.  She has held community leadership positions throughout her career but was always well known for serving as Chair of the Small Business Awards Banquet which ran for 20 years.

What most of the community doesn’t know about Bone-Harris is that she is also a Clothing and Textile Advisor through WSU Extension and is an experienced instructor at national sewing and design conferences, holding both national and international awards for her work.

Bone-Harris received her Bachelor of Arts degree from WSU-Tri-Cities, as well as her Master’s Degree cum laude from Washington State University.

 

"I’m leaving the PUD just as change continues to inundate the electric industry. There are many great employees that will keep an eye out for Franklin PUD customers.  We have a great team to lead the efforts as our region continues to foster a clean energy future. I go into retirement with loads of activities ahead me and can’t wait to catch up with all my sewing buddies, go on some great hot rod adventures with my husband, play on the Oregon coast, and of course, play with my grandchildren much more”, stated Bone-Harris.

Downen to Represent Montana on NW Power & Conservation Council (Northwest Public Power Association)

(HELENA, MT) -- Longtime Public Power Council staffer Bo Downen has been tapped to represent Montana on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock named Downen to fill the vacancy left by Tim Baker’s departure in early June. Downen starts on August 26.

Downen joined PPC as a staff analyst in 2006 and presently serves as its director of environmental and regional affairs. During his tenure, he helped on a years-long effort to overhaul the energy efficiency program for BPA customers.

“While I know his talents will be missed at PPC, Bo will bring a great amount of knowledge and expertise that will serve him and the region very well on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council,” said NWPPA Executive Director Scott Corwin.

Prior to the Public Power Council, Downen worked as an attorney for the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and the Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

Cause of Widespread Power Outage In Lewis County Was Snagged Power Line (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

(CHEHALIS, WA) -- Bonneville Power Administration says the cause of the power outage that affected thousands of Lewis County PUD and Centralia City Light customers Friday was a snagged power line at the site of a new grocery warehouse under construction at the Port of Centralia.

According to the agency, when the incident happened it tripped a circuit on the 69-kilovolt line at their Chehalis substation as a safety precaution, creating the widespread outage. The outage began about 9:50 AM.

Lewis County PUD says they had power restored to their customers by just before 11 AM. According to Centralia City Light, power was restored to all of their customers by 12:30 PM.

Investigation Underway, Incident Injures Workers

The state Department of Labor and Industries is investigating the industrial accident that happened Friday morning at the site of the new grocery warehouse at the Port of Centralia.

Riverside Fire Authority says crews were dispatched to the scene just before 10 AM. Two men were working near a personnel lift at the rear of the building. The lift was raised and either came in contact with overhead BPA power lines or was close enough to the lines that it caused the electricity to arc across to the lift.

Authorities say the electricity traveled through the lift and to the two men who were on the ground. They were injured but were conscious when medics arrived. The two men were transported to Providence Centralia Hospital. The extent of their injuries had not been released.

Lewis County Commissioners Set to Vote on Moratorium Against Crystal Geyser (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

(CHEHALIS, WA) -- Lewis County Commissioners are set to vote on a proposed moratorium on certain types of permits in the rural areas of the county. The move is designed to put a hold on Crystal Geyser’s proposal to build a water bottling plant in the Randle area and give the county more time to study the issue.

Commissioner Gary Stamper says as proposed by the Prosecutor’s Office, the moratorium would be on permits for proposals that extract “water for sale as a principal goal,” as well as any standalone food or beverage proposals that would use more than 5,000 gallons of water a day. Crystal Geyser has submitted a water permit application with the state Department of Ecology for 400 gallons per minute. If approved by the commissioners on Monday, the moratorium would be for six months.