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. Over the years, we have received this certainty because of our longstanding relationship with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which markets the output from federal dams on the Columbia and Snake River Dams. However, current litigation about the hydropower system has created more uncertainty than ever before when it comes to 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, despite the fact the customers of BPA spend $685 million annually on these programs. In fact, approximately one-quarter of your electric bill is the result of spending on fish and wildlife. For Umatilla Electric Cooperative's (UEC) members and our community, this is over $4 million a year to fish and wildlife programs.
We recently learned a secret agreement between plaintiffs and the federal government could saddle BPA customers with billions of dollars in new costs.
1 estimate predicts the cost of electricity could increase by as much as 50%. That could result in an increase of nearly $750 a year for every member.
What is disappointing is that this agreement was made without prior input from organizations that represent Northwest public power. Nor does this agreement provide certainty against further litigation that could skyrocket costs even more.
As members of UEC, we need your help during this process. We will look to our elected leaders like Governor Kotek and our congressional delegation to stand up for our rural communities that depend on federal hydropower. Because without their help – the only certainty is that the electricity will be less affordable and reliable.
As your cooperative, our job is to make sure you’re informed, educated, and have insight into the issues and challenges affecting your electric utility. I hope this column encourages you to stay engaged and voice your opinion on these critical matters.
To learn more about how UEC, along with cooperatives across the country, are working together to aid elected officials as they make important federal and state policy decisions, please visit the Voices for Cooperative Power website. When acting together, as a membership, our voice is louder and helps to broaden our footprint of support for clean, affordable, and reliable electricity.