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Media Summary
Contact Carol Winkel
for more information. Also see archive.
Overview for August - October 30, 2001
Stories that generated press over the past few months included the
Council's request to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to adjust
the price caps on electricity at the end of August; Judge Hogan's decision
stripping Oregon coastal coho salmon of its protected status in late
September; and the Council's improved energy forecast for winter in
October.
AUGUST
Heavy Lift Business Picking Up--Marine Digest, Seattle, WA
Article on trends in the stevedoring industry mentions the Council:
"...the stevedoring firm has received 'numerous' inquiries' in recent
months regarding the handling of inbound components for the construction
of new power generating plants in the Pacific Northwest...According to the
Northwest Power Planning Council [the region] currently has nine power
plans [sic] under construction and six in the proposed stage, almost all
of which will require some form of heavylift transportation."
AUGUST 1
Fish Funding a Difficult Journey--The Methow Valley News, Twisp, WA
Story on the changes in the Council's review and selection process for
fish and wildlife projects. The story focuses on the sometimes
confusing aspects of the process and uses the Arrowleaf proposal as an
example. Quotes Council staff: "'It sounds like spin but
we're trying to make this whole process more credible, but by doing this
we're making it more complex..."
AUGUST 2
$13 Million Fish Ladder Proposed--The Wallowa County Chieftain
Small story on the hatchery projects for the Lostine and Imnaha
Rivers. Mentions the Council: "The Northwest Planning
Council [sic] is expected to study NEPA findings and rule on the next
phase within 12 to 14 weeks after receiving the information."
AUGUST 4
Columbia Gorge Views at Stake in Power Rush--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on the loss of visibility in the Columbia River Gorge if all of
the proposed 45 natural gas power plants in Washington, Oregon and Idaho
were built. Mentions the Council: "The Northwest Power
Planning Council has projected that the Northwest will need 6,000 to 8,000
megawatts of new generating capacity by 2010, though that figure does not
include demand in California for power generated in the Northwest."
AUGUST 5
Energy ABC's--The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA
Comprehensive feature story with elaborate illustrations on the causes
behind the energy crunch. The timeline mentions the Council:
"The Northwest Power Planning Council publishes the results of a
study that indicates the region has only one chance in four of dodging
power blackouts if, as in Bonneville's scenario, an Arctic cold spell hits
during a time when generators are off line and a supply transmission line
is knocked out."
AUGUST 8
City Installs Screen to Protect Endangered Fish--The Walla Walla
Union-Bulletin, WA
Story on a new fish screen at the city of Walla Walla's water intake
facility. Mentions the Council: "City funds budgeted for
the project were bolstered by grants from the Bonneville Power
Administration, Northwest Power Planning Council and the State of
Oregon..."
AUGUST 9
Contract with BPA May Lure Buyers--The Longview Daily News,
Longview, WA
Story on the future of Longview Aluminum, noting the advantage it has
because of its contract with Bonneville. Quotes Council staff:
"'Any plant that has access to Bonneville power has a certain degree
of attractiveness in the market relative to one that doesn't.' said Dick
Watson, director of power planning for the Northwest Power Planning
Council."
Experts Weigh Energy Alternatives--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Story on recommendations made at a Renewable Energy Summit in
Portland. Mentions the Council: "Representatives of the
Northwest Power Planning Council, the Oregon Office of Energy, Portland
General Electric and companies developing small and large renewable
projects agreed that the first thing Congress must do is renew a tax
credit available to wind-power developers and to extend it to solar,
geothermal and other forms of renewable energy."
AUGUST 10
Push Grows to Boost Power Grid--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on Bonneville's request to Congress to expand its borrowing
authority by $2 billion in order to build new power lines. Quotes
Council Chair Larry Cassidy: "'We could theoretically have
power come on line and not be able to transmit it.' said Larry Cassidy
Jr., chairman of the Northwest Power Planning Council."
Power Gridlock--The Oregonian,
Portland, OR
Editorial supporting Bonneville's request for expanded borrowing authority
for transmission improvements. Mentions the Council: "In
addition, a coalition of investor-owned utilities, including Portland
General Electric and PacifiCorp, and the Northwest Power Planning Council,
has drafted letters to the vice president explaining its support."
New Power Plants Ready to Feed Northwest Needs--The Puget Sound
Business Journal, Seattle, WA
Story on the new power plants that are coming online in the coming
months. Quotes Council staff: "All told, nearly 1,240 new
megawatts of power are expected to be buzzing through the region's grid by
the end of the year, marking the first major steps toward erasing the
Northwest's estimated 3,000 megawatt power deficit, said Jeff King, power
analyst with the Northwest Power Planning Council."
AUGUST 11
Court Stops Efforts to Move Terns Off Island--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Story on a legal ruling that prohibits federal agencies from
relocating Caspian terns until agencies complete an environmental impact
statement on the effects of such actions. Quotes Council Chair Larry
Cassidy: "'We were starting to win this game without hurting
any terns,' said Larry Cassidy, chairman of the Northwest Power Planning
Council, which is responsible for balancing protection of salmon and other
wildlife against electricity production in the Columbia Basin."
Also appears in The Daily Tidings, Ashland, OR; The Register Guard,
Eugene, OR; The Mid-Valley Sunday, Albany/Corvallis, OR; The Longview
Daily News, Longview, WA; The Herald & News, Klamath Falls, OR; The
Post-Register, Idaho Falls, ID; The Columbian, Vancouver, WA; The Daily
Astorian, Astoria, OR; and The Signal, Seaside, OR.
AUGUST 14
Why the Northwest Must Defend BPA--The
Seattle Times, Seattle, WA
Op ed by Council member Tom Karier: "While seeking ways to
solve the allocation problem, we must resist unreasonable and divisive
demands from inside the region and fend off attacks by outside
interests."
BPA Funds 7 Fish Projects--The Daily Journal of Commerce, Seattle,
WA
Small AP story on fish and wildlife projects approved for
funding: "The Northwest Power Planning Council has approved
seven projects to help offset the environmental and wildlife impacts of
this year's emergency hydropower operations." Also appears in
The Capital Press, Salem, OR.
AUGUST 15
Power Shortage Equals Higher Costs--Arlington Times, Arlington, WA
Op ed by Cynthia First, Snohomish County PUD on the need for the PUD
to take greater control of its energy future. Mentions the
Council: "According to the Northwest Power Planning Council,
the entire Northwest region faces up to a 17-percent chance of rolling
blackouts during the fall/winter seasons." Also appears in the
Marysville Globe, Marysville, WA; and The Everett News Tribune, Snohomish,
WA.
AUGUST
17
PGE Fires
Up ?Peaker? Plant--The Oregonian,
Portland, OR
Story on PGE's new ?peaker plant,? a gas-fired generator used when
demand, and wholesale prices, spike or ?peak.?
Quotes Council staff:
?Dick Watson, director of power for the Northwest Power Planning
Council, said a peaker plant like PGE's is a relatively efficient way to
address the region's energy crunch, which is expected to worsen this
winter.?
Projects
Could Give Lift to Fish--The Columbian,
Vancouver, WA
Story on the Council's proposal to fund seven projects aimed to give
immediate help to Columbia Basin salmon this year.
AUGUST 18
Clearwater
Drawdown Study No Surprise--The
Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID
AP Story on a University of Idaho study on the economic impact of the
annual summer release of water from Dworshak Dam on the local community.
Quotes Council member Judi Danielson:
??When you go to the feds or anyone, with as much emotion that
is wrapped up in this, they want the facts,? said Sen. Judi Danielson
(R-Council), a Northwest Power Planning Council member.
?This is a great piece in the puzzle to do that.??
AUGUST 19
State
Energy Bill Provides the Tools to Spur Electricity Competition--The
Tribune, Great Falls, MT
Op ed by Council member Leo Giacometto supporting House Bill 474:
?Montana needs to develop new sources of electricity to assure a
reliable, affordable, and competitive power supply.?
AUGUST 22
Endangered
Species Act Implementation Plan:
A:
A Blueprint for Columbia Basin Fish--The Willapa Harbor, Raymond,
WA
Story attempts to explain the federal recovery plan for endangered
fish. Mentions
the Council:
?The goals of the Implementation Plan are simple yet daunting:
to assist in meeting recovery standards for Columbia Basin salmon'to
conserve critical habitats?and, when integrated with the Northwest Power
Planning Council's Fish and Wildlife Program, to balance recovery
efforts with the needs of other fish, wildlife and humans??
AUGUST 30
Panel
Says Price Caps Are Bad Fit--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Story on the Council's request to federal regulators to revise its
prices caps on electricity.
Quotes Council Chair Larry Cassidy:
??The price caps, as currently constructed, might prove to be
so low next winter that they would discourage generators from selling
power in the Northwest if we have an emergency,? said Larry Cassidy the
council's chairman.?
Also appears in the News Register, McMinnville, OR; The Daily Argus
Observer, Ontario, OR; The Daily Tidings, Ashland, OR; The Daily Astorian,
Astoria, OR; The Daily Courier, Grants Pass, OR; The Herald & News,
Klamath Falls, OR; The East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR; The Democrat Herald,
Albany, OR; The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, Walla Walla, WA; The
Times-News, Twin Falls, ID; The Register Guard, Eugene, OR; The Columbian,
Vancouver, WA; The Olympian, Olympia, WA; The Tribune, Great Falls, MT;
The Nugget, Sisters, OR; and The Tribune, Great Falls, MT.
SEPTEMBER 3
Power
Rates Are Not Just a Regional Matter--The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin,
Walla Walla, WA
Editorial supporting the Council's request to FERC to revise price
caps: ?The
Northwest Power Planning Council is looking our for the interests of the
region. We
appreciate that.?
SEPTEMBER 4
Northwest
Electricity Buyers Seek Refunds--The
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle, WA
Story on Seattle, Tacoma and other Pacific Northwest communities
seeking refunds on electricity charges that they believe were inflated.
Mentions the Council:
?The Northwest Power Planning Council, a four-state government
agency, asked the commission on Thursday to reduce the plan's dependence
on California prices in determining controls for the Northwest.?
SEPTEMBER 6
Pop Up
the Price Caps--The Oregonian,
Portland, OR
Editorial supporting the Council's proposals to changes in FERC's
price caps:
?When FERC meets later this month, it should examine the council's
proposals.?
SEPTEMBER 7
Salmon
Managers Receive Poor Review--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Story on the annual ?river report card? issued by American Rivers,
a national conservation group.
The group criticized federal salmon managers for failing to meet
flow and temperature targets.
Quotes Council staff:
??This is one of those years when all the bad things that could
happen seem to have happened,? said John Harrison, spokesman for the
Northwest Power Planning Council in Portland.?
Permits
Filed to Build Wallula, Starbuck Plants--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Story on proposed power plants and associated permit process issues.
Quotes Council staff:
?it's likely the plants now under construction will be finished
and a few more now in the permitting phase also will be built, said Dick
Watson of the Northwest Power Planning Council, which tracks the region's
energy needs.?
SEPTEMBER 8
Energy Prices Drop
Drastically--The Idaho Statesman,
Boise, ID
Story on the drop in wholesale electricity prices over the
summer. Quotes Council staff: "'We were forecasting early
in the spring that there was a chance of a significant problem,' said Dick
Watson, director of the power division for the Northwest Power Planning
Council, a federally funded advisory council that deals with energy issue
in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington." Also appears in The
Idaho Press-Tribune, Caldwell, ID.
SEPTEMBER 9
Power Plant Under Way--The Longview Daily News, Longview, WA
Story on a 286-megawatt power plant being built in Longview, one of
several underway in the Northwest. Quotes Council staff:
"Together, the plants will generate about 2,400 megawatts of power,
eventually filling a significant share of a projected regional energy
shortage of between 3,000 and 4,000 megawatts, said Tom Eckman, manager of
conservation resources for the Pacific Northwest Power Planning Council
[sic]."
Conservationists Finalizing Proposals--The East Oregonian,
Pendleton, OR
Story on the provincial review. Mentions the Council:
"Sponsors used to submit proposals annually, but this year the
Northwest Power Planning Council began a three-year rolling provincial
review process to prioritize funding and use resources more
effectively."
SEPTEMBER 13
Natural Gas Plant Begins Operations--The
Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA
Story on the Cogentrix facility that will produce 270-megawatts of
electricity. Quotes Council staff: "Jeff King, senior
resource analyst for the Northwest Power Planning Council, said the plant
will help the winter energy market, when usage peaks at 35,000
megawatts."
SEPTEMBER 17
Ore. Ruling Challenges Restoring of Salmon--The
Seattle Times, Seattle, WA
Story on the implications surrounding the ruling by federal judge
Hogan. Quotes Council staff: "'The decision could have
very far-reaching impacts,' said D. Robert Lohn, a Northwest Power
Planning Council official who within the next month will become Northwest
regional director of the fisheries service."
SEPTEMBER 23
Montana Member Quits Power Panel--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
AP story on Council member Stan Grace's retirement from the Council.
Also appears in The Wenatchee World, Wenatchee, WA.
SEPTEMBER 26
Experts Say We're in for a Normal Washington Winter--The Daily
World, Aberdeen, WA
AP story on the weather forecast for winter. Quotes Council
staff: "A cold and dry climate would be the worst, driving up
the demand for power and decreasing the amount available from
hydroelectric resources, said John Fazio of the Northwest Power Planning
Council in Portland." Also appears in The Chronicle, Centralia,
WA.
NW Power Panel Meets in Spokane--The
Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA
Small notice about the Council's meeting which includes "...a
discussion of the dispute over water use in the Methow Valley..."
Oregon Decision Could Affect ESA Listings in Methow--The Methow
Valley News, Twisp, WA
Story on Judge Hogan's decision. Mentions the Council:
"An analysis of the decision prepared for officials of the Northwest
Power Planning Council points out that Judge Hogan did not conclude there
is no difference between wild and hatchery stocks."
Salmon Recovery: Reviewing Priorities--The Methow Valley News,
Twisp, WA
Editorial on how the events of September 11 will change governmental
priorities regarding fish recovery. Mentions the Council:
"At a meeting this Wednesday of the Northwest Power Planning Council
in Spokane, the top state official of NMFS and the head of the Methow
Valley Irrigation District will discuss fish and water issues related to
the consent decree with NMFS on operation of the Valley's largest
irrigation system."
SEPTEMBER 27
Salmon, Steelhead May Lose Protected Status--The Herald & News,
Klamath Falls, OR
AP story on the ruling by Judge Hogan stripping Oregon coastal coho salmon
of its protected status. Mentions the Council: "A federal
court ruling earlier this month stripping Oregon coastal salmon of
protected status may be interpreted by other courts to apply to seven
additional protected salmon and steelhead stocks in the Columbia River
Basin, according to a memo prepared by legal staff of the Northwest Power
Planning Council." Also appears in The East Oregonian,
Pendleton, OR; The Daily Astorian,
Astoria, OR; The Democrat Herald, Albany, OR; The Register Guard,
Eugene, OR; The Bellingham Herald, Bellingham, WA; The Columbian,
Vancouver, WA; The Eastside Journal, Bellevue, WA; The World, Coos Bay,
OR; The News Register, McMinnville, OR; The Daily Argus Observer, Ontario,
OR; The Longview Daily News, Longview, WA; The Lewiston Tribune, Lewiston,
ID; The Herald, Baker City, OR; The Wenatchee World, Wenatchee, WA; and
The Signal, Seaside, OR.
Pact Would Leave Twisp River Water for Fish--The
Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA
Story on the water rights agreement between Methow Valley farmers and
state, federal and tribal agencies. Mentions the Council:
"The power planning council, which advises BPA on how to spend its
money, suggested mediation between the groups."
Long-range Forecast Looks Mild and Damp--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
AP story on the winter weather forecast. Quotes Council staff:
"A cold and dry season would be the worst, driving up the demand for
power and decreasing the amount available from hydroelectric resources,
said John Fazio of the Northwest Power Planning Council in
Portland." Also appears in The Bellingham Herald, Bellingham,
WA.
SEPTEMBER 28
Court Ruling May Redefine 'Endangered'--The
Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA
Story on the implications of Judge Hogan's decision for Washington
state. Mentions the Council: "Some Washington salmon and
steelhead could be removed from the Endangered Species List if a decision
by a federal court in Oregon is widely applied, the Northwest Power
Planning Council was told Thursday."
SEPTEMBER 29
Farmers Want Salmon Off Endangered List--The
Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA
Story on farm group's formal petition to remove Columbia Basin salmon and
steelhead from the Endangered Species List. Quotes Council
staff: "An attorney for the Northwest Power Planning Council
said circumstances in the Oregon case are far different from those
involving chinook and sockeye from the Columbia and Snake."
Irrigators Want 7 Fish Runs Off Endangered List--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Story on a petition by Columbia Basin irrigators to repeal fish
protections. Mentions the Council: "An attorney for the
Northwest Power Planning Council presented an overview of developing legal
issues this week, saying NMFS likely will have to 'rethink its
overall...policy' on how it evaluates salmon species."
SEPTEMBER 30
Report Gives Poor Grade to Basin Water Project--The Yakima
Herald-Republic, Yakima, WA
Story on a study critical of the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement
Project. Mentions the Council: "The Northwest Power
Planning Council, created in 1980 to plan the region's energy future and
enhance fish and wildlife damaged by large hydroelectric dams on the
Columbia and Snake rivers, took care of one part of the enhancement.
The four-state body, using Bonneville Power Administration money, funded
modern fish screens and ladders at Yakima Valley irrigation dams."
Winter Rain May Ease Power, Water Strain--Peninsula Daily News, Port
Angeles, WA
Story on the region's winter forecast. Quotes Council staff:
"John Fazio, systems analyst for the council, said the latest
projections are better than previous forecasts."
OCTOBER 4
Ruling on Hatchery Fish Classification Draws Strong Reactions--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on Judge Hogan's decision. Quotes Council Chair Larry
Cassidy: "Larry Cassidy, Jr., a Vancouver resident who chairs
the four-state Northwest Power Planning Council, said the decision sets a
dangerous tone if the public believes hatcheries are salmon's
salvation."
OCTOBER 5
Snake River Irrigators File ESA Delisting Petition--The Capital
Press, Salem, OR
Story on the legal fall-out from Judge Hogan's decision. Mentions
the Council: "The petition calls for the federal government to
withdraw entirely from controlling Columbia Basin fish management,
restoring that role to the states through interstate compacts such as the
Northwest Power Planning Council."
OCTOBER 11
Oregon Judge Rules Hatchery and Wild Fish Are Same--The Herald,
Brewster, WA
Story on Judge Hogan's decision. Mentions the Council:
"The Northwest Power Planning Council issued a report in the wake of
the ruling that it might make a difference to subspecies on the endangered
list in the mid-Columbia River region, but no endangered listings in north
central Washington were included in the council's report."
OCTOBER 14
Market Unrest Clouds WNP-1's Future--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Story on the financial risk involved with nuclear power plants.
Quotes Council staff: "'This is why you don't see the Dukes and
the Calpines investing in nuclear plants,' the Northwest Power Planning
Council's Dick Watson said of some of the nation's leading private power
plant builders."
OCTOBER 16
Governor's Water Initiative Not Real Action--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Published letter from the Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association to
Washington Governor Gary Locke. Mentions the Council:
"...rather than start another state process, the governor's office
should advocate a revised state position within the Northwest Power
Planning Council's current Columbia River mainstem operations
review."
OCTOBER 17
What Happened to the Threat of Power Blackouts?--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on the power outlook for winter. Mentions the Council:
"Another new report by the staffs of the Pacific Northwest Utilities
Conference Committee and Northwest Power Planning Council outlines how
officials in the region mobilized to avoid a power shortage."
OCTOBER 18
Electricity Supplies Seen as Adequate--The Skagit Valley Herald,
Mount Vernon, WA
AP story on the Council's power forecast for winter. Quotes Council
member Tom Karier: "'According to our analysis, there is less
than a 1 percent probability of power deficits this winter,' Karier
said." Also appears in The Democrat Herald, Albany, OR; The
East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR; The Daily Record, Ellensburg, WA; The Daily
Journal Commerce, Portland, OR; The Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA; The
Mail Tribune, Medford, OR; The Yakima Herald-Republic, Yakima, WA; The
Walla Walla Bulletin, Walla Walla, WA; The World, Coos Bay, OR; The
Longview Daily News, Longview, WA; The Post Register, Idaho Falls, ID; The
Idaho State Journal, Pocatello, ID; The Gazette Times, Corvallis, OR; and
The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA.
Odds of Power Shortages Shrink--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Story on the Council's power forecast for winter. The writer notes
the differing views between Council members with regard to whether the
Council had reached an appropriate balance between fish and wildlife this
past water year. Quotes Council members Eric Bloch and Tom Karier.
Winter Blackouts Unlikely--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Story on the Council's power forecast for winter. Quotes Council
members and staff. The writer also notes the construction of new
power plants that will come online in the coming years.
OCTOBER 19
Utility Officials Back Out of Blackout Plans--The News Tribune,
Tacoma, WA
Story on the Council's power forecast for winter: "The supply
of energy is up, and demand has been reduced significantly since last
year, the Northwest Power Planning Council said."
Conservation Efforts in Question--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Story on the Council's proposal for the region to reduce demand by 300
megawatts over the next three years: "Ideally, the Northwest
would end the cyclical nature of conservation investments that boom and
bust with market prices."
OCTOBER 20
Winter Power Forecast Shines Blackout-free--The
Seattle Times, Seattle, WA
AP story on the Council's forecast. Quotes Council members and
staff: "Karier said the long-term outlook is good. 'There
is every indication now that we are back on track for a better year,' he
said." Also appears in The Bellingham Herald, Bellingham, WA;
The Sun, Bremerton, WA; The Olympian, Olympia, WA; The OSU Barometer,
Corvallis, OR; The Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR; The South Idaho Press,
Burley, ID; The Daily Courier, Grants Pass, OR; The Herald, Everett, WA;
The East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR; The Herald & News, Klamath Falls,
OR; The Bulletin, Bend, OR; The Register Guard, Eugene, OR; The Seattle
Post-Intelligencer, Seattle, WA; The South County Journal, Kent, WA; and
The Eastside Journal, Bellevue, WA.
OCTOBER 24
Keeping the Lights On--The
Register Guard, Eugene, OR
Editorial on the improved power situation this winter that also cautions
the need to continue the region's long-term effort to conserve
electricity. Mentions the Council: "...a new forecast issued
last week by the Northwest Power Planning Council estimates the risk of
electricity shortages at less than 1 percent."
Rainy Weather Doesn't Indicate End of Drought--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on winter weather forecast. Mentions the Council:
"The Northwest Power Planning Council reported last week that the
immediate threat of an energy shortfall has passed, due in part to
conservation efforts and the near-shutdown of the Northwest aluminum
industry."
OCTOBER 30
Energy Focus Shifts to Future--The
Tribune, Portland, OR
Story on the improved energy forecast and possible future goals.
Quotes Council staff: "Conservation saves money, Watson
said. 'If we had done conservation over the last few years of the
1990s at the level that we think was cost-effective to do, we would have
saved 180 megawatts of power' with an estimated value of $334 million, he
said."
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