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.
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.
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