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AROUND THE REGION
OREGONA budget shortfall now estimated at over $700 million has some Oregon lawmakers eyeing statewide investments in energy conservation and new renewable resource development. Oregon's 1999 utility restructuring law, effective March 1, 2002, directs Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp to set aside 3 percent of their retail electricity revenues for the Energy Trust of Oregon , an independent organization established to invest in efficiency and renewable resources. Representatives of the Fair and Clean Energy Coalition have launched a counter-lobbying effort to keep the funds for their original purpose. They argue the money, which will be collected from ratepayers, cannot legally be used to supplement the state Treasury.
MONTANA
Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX) this month introduced legislation which requires the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA ) to negotiate contracts with the region's aluminum and other Direct Service Industries (DSIs ) to ensure them "access to a reasonable level of federal firm power. . .that will enable the DSIs to operate. . .in an economic manner for the long term." Acting BPA Administrator Steve Wright and other key players expressed concern the bill may interfere with regional negotiations with Northwest aluminum smelters. "We have been saying for a while that we should resolve these issues in the region, and discussions have been going remarkable well," said Wright recently to Clearing Up, an independent energy industry newsletter. Clearing Up also reported that Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham has signed off on Wright's appointment as BPA Administrator, moving him one step closer to being permanent head of the federal power marketing agency.
IDAHO
A recent survey by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game found salmon anglers spent more than $46 million last spring and summer on fishing supplies, lodging, transportation, groceries and restaurants. For comparison, anglers spent seven times as much in 2001 than they did in 1997, the most significant recent fishing season. "It picked up the economy lost from other endeavors," said Fish and Game Commissioner Alex Irby to the Associated Press December 2. The salmon season preceded Idaho's record return of steelhead to the Snake, Salmon, Clearwater and Boise rivers. About 245,000 steelhead have crossed Lower Granite Dam , the last dam fish must pass before entering Idaho.
WASHINGTON
Puget Sound Energy (PSE ) and Avista recently filed proposals to offer their customers "green power." The filings submitted to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC ) are in response to legislation passed last year. The new law, which goes into effect January 1, 2002, requires utilities with more than 25,000 customers to offer them the choice to purchase alternative energy resources. Under PSE's proposal, customers could buy a minimum of 200 kilowatt hours (kWh) or four dollars worth of Bonneville Environmental Foundation wind and solar power credits. Customers could add 100 kWh increments at $2 each to the minimum purchase amount. PSE anticipates enrolling more than 5,000 customers and selling at least 11,000 megawatt hours of green energy in 2002. Avista proposed its "Buck a Block " program which offers customers the option of buying 55 kWh blocks of wind power for a dollar each. The WUTC will issue its decision on both filings this month. PacifiCorp , Washington's third investor-owned utility, already has its Blue Sky program in place, offering 100 kWh blocks of wind for $2.95 each.
Quote of the Month
"This decision doesn't take dam removal off the table. . . . The corps is recommending things we've been using the last 25 years, and the science is telling us that these measures aren't working. "
Melissa Pease of the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition in a December 4 New York Times news report on the Army Corps of Engineers' recommendation favoring modifications to dams over removing them.