Manager's Message
Northwest Voters Still Support Hydropower and Are Concerned about Rate Increases, Dam Breaching
As the region waits for a final decision from the Federal courts on the future operations of the Columbia and Snake River and the potential for a call to remove the four Snake River dams, I want to share with you the recent survey conducted by Northwest RiverPartners. It is clear from the results of this survey that the rate payers of the region are concerned about future energy prices and the impact the removal of these dams would have on future energy prices.
Northwest RiverPartners - an alliance of farmers, utilities, ports and business that promote the economic and environmental benefits of the Columbia and Snake Rivers – recently released the results of their 2010 poll. RiverPartners has polled northwest voters annually since 2005 on their opinions and perceptions surrounding hydropower.
In a March poll of 700 registered voters in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, hydropower is viewed as clean, renewable and climate friendly with 70 percent of respondents recognizing it does not contribute to global warming.
According to the poll, more than 67 percent of the region’s voters oppose the destroying of the lower Snake River dams as a means of improving salmon runs, a view unchanged since 2005.
“Voters in the Northwest clearly value dams and their contribution to our clean renewable power system and realize the Lower Snake River dams are vital,” said Terry Flores, executive director of Northwest RiverPartners. “Many are aware that the hydropower system is a vital link to bringing even more renewable energy sources on line in the Northwest.”
“Voters continue to care about salmon as they always have, but in these tough economic times, they are also very sensitive to increased energy costs,” said pollster Tim Hibbitts. Nearly 70 percent of respondents say they would be concerned – 34 percent would be very concerned – if their electricity rates increased five percent every couple of years solely to improve salmon runs. More than half were concerned or very concerned with even a 2 ½ percent increase in their power bills.
Flores also said the public’s endorsement of the region’s clean renewable hydropower emphasizes the need to move ahead with the plan (the Biological Opinion – the “BiOp”) to help the Northwest’s protected salmon and steelhead which has been stuck in court for two years. The 2008 BiOp has been developed collaboratively by federal agencies, three states, Native American tribes and other stakeholders and includes the best science for protecting fish runs - allowing hydro and fish to co-exist and prosper.
Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, conducted the public opinion poll for Northwest RiverPartners. The full summary of the poll is posted online at http://www.nwriverpartners.org.
High School Graduates
The board of directors and the employees of Wasco Electric Cooperative offer our congratulations to the 2010 graduates from the area high schools.
One of the ways the co-op supports the local youth is through our contribution to the high school’s graduating class drug and alcohol free graduation parties. The high schools we support in this manner are The Dalles-Wahtonka, Dufur, Sherman County, South Wasco County and Madras.
Again, congratulations and good luck in your future, wherever it may take you.
