Manager’s Message – January 2024
Make Your Voice Heard in 2024
1 of the most important words in the electric utility industry is “certainty.” We want certainty that the electricity we provide is clean, affordable and reliable. Throughout the years, we have had this certainty because of our longstanding relationship with the Bonneville Power Administration, which markets the output from federal dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers.
However, current litigation pertaining to the hydropower system has created more uncertainty than ever when providing you with affordable, reliable electricity.
Plaintiffs — including the state of Oregon — have, for years, used the courtroom to increase BPA’s investment in fish and wildlife programs, even though BPA customers spend $685 million annually on these programs. Approximately ¼ of your electricity bill is the result of spending on fish and wildlife.
We recently learned a secret agreement between the plaintiffs and the federal government could saddle BPA customers with billions of dollars in new costs. One estimate predicts the electricity we buy from BPA could increase by 50%.
What is disappointing is this agreement was made without input from organizations that represent Northwest public power. Nor does this agreement provide certainty against further litigation that could skyrocket costs even more.
We need your help to put some common sense and transparency in this process. We need our elected leaders—such as Governor Tina Kotek and our congressional delegation—to stand up for our communities that depend on federal hydropower. If they don’t, the only thing certain is the electricity we provide you will be less affordable and reliable.
We encourage you to voice your opposition to any efforts to undermine our incredible Northwest hydro system. Go to the Protect Our Power page and sign the petition to protect your power.
Lindsay Forepaugh
General Manager