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Media Summary
Contact Carol Winkel
for more information. Also see archive.
Overview for February 5 - May 1, 2002
Stories receiving coverage included news on Bonneville's funding for
fish and wildlife projects in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Also
covered was the National Marine Fisheries Service's release of
productivity targets for listed fish, and a good overview of hatchery
reform efforts came out in the February 20 Seattle Times.
FEBRUARY 5
Energy Plant Asks for Delay on Permit--The Walla Walla Bulletin,
Walla Walla, WA
Story on the request by Starbuck Power Company to suspend the permitting
process on their proposed plant due to low wholesale power prices and
uncertainty about Bonneville's plans to upgrade transmission lines.
Mentions the Council: "They said on its Web site that retail
prices haven't fallen commensurately because power companies buy energy
under contract with set prices over a designated time period, among other
factors."
FEBRUARY 6
Power Council Backs Out of Easement Deal in Methow--The Chronicle,
Centralia, WA
Story on the Council's decision to rescind its earlier approval to
purchase a conservation easement on the former Arrowleaf property.
Quotes Council member Jim Kempton: "'I'd like to say when
people outside of the council look at a council finding proposal and the
first thing they see is a dry riverbed, there's going to be questions
about what the council is actually doing,' said Idaho council member Jim
Kempton."
Commissioners Question Claims Made in Support of Land Set-aside--The
Chronicle, Centralia, WA
Story on questions Okanogan County commissioners have about applications
for funding, e.g., what wildlife resides on property proposed as a
wildlife habitat preserve. Mentions the Council: "'I was
very surprised that it was going through the Bonneville Power
Administration and the Northwest Power Planning Council, and paid for by
rate payers,' said commissioner Dave Schulz."
FEBRUARY 8
NW Power Planning Council Seeks Comment--The Walla Walla Bulletin,
Walla Walla, WA
AP story on the Council's request for comment on regional energy issues to
help prepare its next power plan. Also appears in The Longview Daily
News, Longview, WA; The Daily Courier, Grants Pass, OR; and The Daily
Argus Observer, Ontario, OR.
FEBRUARY 10
Power Plants the Last Straw; Washington state steamed at plans that
permit aquifer to be tapped--The
Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA
Story on conflicts surrounding shared water rights between Washington and
Idaho. The differences center on plans to build three power plants
that would use water from the Spokane Valley/Rathdrum aquifer.
Quotes Council member Tom Karier: "Tom Karier, Washington's
member of the council, said 4,700 megawatts of new capacity are already
under construction in the Northwest."
FEBRUARY 17
Water Targets a Must If State to Decide Future--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Editorial urging participation by water users, regulators and
environmentalists in process to determine the state's own flow
targets. Mentions the Council: "A recent Northwest Power
Planning Council report concluded the multimillion-dollar program to
supplement flows on the river lacks scientific support and results,
backing claims Eastern Washington irrigators and water users have made for
years."
Soggy Science? Study questions value of holding back water for
fish--The Tri-City Herald,
Kennewick, WA
Story on a report commissioned by the Council to assess the benefits and
shortcomings of the federal river program. Quotes Council staffer
John Harrison: "I think what everybody wants to know is how
much (water) is enough and what do we get for it."
FEBRUARY 20
Overhaul Proposed in State's Hatchery Programs--The
Seattle Times, Seattle, WA
Story on a scientific panel's recommendations to change how fish
hatcheries operate in order to save wild fish populations. Mentions
the Council: "A hatchery-reform program being developed by the
Northwest Power Planning Council, for the Columbia River, seems to have
more teeth than in the past..."
FEBRUARY 26
GOP Fights Idea That Might Aid Fish, Farms--The
Register Guard, Eugene, OR
Op ed in support of a program that would pay farmers and ranchers for
water to remain in streams when needed. Mentions the Council:
"Last year, the Northwest Power Council, through the Bonneville Power
Administration, paid groups of irrigators in Washington state and Idaho to
let their precious water be used for power generation and thereby reduce
the high cost of buying replacement electricity on the open
market."
MARCH 2
Lessons in 2001 Will Help Plan Electricity Future--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Op ed by Council Chair Larry Cassidy: "Looking ahead, more than
300 megawatts of energy conservation are available right now in the
Pacific Northwest at a cost that is less than the cost of building a new
natural gas-fired plant of the same size, according to an analysis by the
Power Planning Council."
Northwest Utilities' Actions Headed Off Energy Crisis--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Op ed by the Benton PUD general manager on the steps utilities took to
deal with the energy crisis last year. Mentions the Council:
"The collective effort worked. As a result, the Northwest Power
Planning Council announced last fall that the region faces little
probability of a power shortage this winter."
MARCH 3
Columbia Salmon Recovery Efforts Lag--The
Sunday Oregonian, Portland, OR
Story on the progress, or lack of it, according to a negative review by
Save Our Wild Salmon, of the federal government's salmon plan.
Quotes Council member Eric Bloch: "'If you read (the salmon
plan) it looks good,' Bloch said. 'But if you look behind the
rhetoric you find that many of the federal agencies neither have the
authority or funding to do the work.'"
MARCH 4
Watershed Assessments Should Increase--The
East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR
Story on Council funding for watershed assessments: "[Ken]
Bierly met with representatives of local natural resource agencies and
private citizens to announce Northwest Power Planning Council is
recommending to the Bonneville Power Association [sic] that $1 million in
funding be made available for watershed assessment over the next three
years."
MARCH 10
Dark Days at City Light; Why your electric bill is so high--The
Seattle Times/Post-Intelligencer, Seattle, WA
Feature story on how Seattle City Light responded to last year's energy
shortage. Mentions the Council: "By 1999, the Northwest
Power Planning Council was warning that increased demand and lack of new
generation meant a one-in-four chance of winter blackouts by 2003."
MARCH 12
Giacometto's Seat on Power Council Filled--The Gazette, Billings, MT
Story on John Hines' appointment to the Council: "Gov. Judy
Martz on Monday promoted John Hines from the staff of the Northwest Power
Planning Council to become one of Montana's two representatives on the
energy group."
MARCH 13
Lynx Reports Detail Biologists' Actions--The Toppenish Review,
Toppenish, WA
Op ed on reports that government biologists submitted unauthorized lynx
hair samples in survey of the Gifford Pinchot and Wenatchee National
Forests. The piece lists other instances of scientific
uncertainty: "In a span of just months, we've learned
government biologists submitted fake hair samples of lynx in the lynx
study, the federal government lacked sufficient science to deny water [to]
the Klamath Basin Farmers [sic] (National Academy of Sciences report), and
real questions surround the science used to establish flow and spill
regimes in the Columbia River system (N.W. Power Planning Council
report)." Also appears in The Prosser Record-Bulletin, Prosser,
WA.
Public Comment Time Extended for Northwest Power Plan--The Times,
Aberdeen, ID
Notice on the extended period for public comment on the Issues for the
Fifth Northwest Power Plan paper.
Montana Names Delegate on Panel--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Brief story on John Hines' appointment to the Council.
MARCH 14
Spring Chinook Numbers Mounting--The
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle, WA
Story on fish returns this year. Mentions the Council:
"...anglers can check for daily fish count updates at Columbia River
dams on the Northwest Power Planning Council's Fish Passage Center's Web
site, www.fpc.org."
MARCH 15
Analyst Calls Water Bid Speculative--The
Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA
Story on the debate over a proposed power plant on the Rathdrum
Prairie. Mentions the Council: "...the Northwest Power
Planning Council--an energy committee representing Washington, Oregon,
Montana and Idaho--said the region will need an additional 3,000 megawatts
of energy by 2003."
MARCH 17
Tracking the Coyote; Acumen pays off for Enron as it launches and
navigates complex deals in the making of an Oregon power plant--The
Sunday Oregonian, Portland, OR
Feature story on the connection between a proposed power plant in Oregon
and Enron. Quotes Council staff regarding Enron's decision to sell
the Coyote Springs 2 plant: "'I think most people by then would
have said there was a significant shortage,' said Jeff King, senior
resource analyst at the Northwest Power Planning Council. 'Had I
owned the plant, I certainly would have thought twice about selling
it."
MARCH 19
Martz Makes Solid Pick for Power Council--The Gazette, Billings, MT
Positive editorial on Gov. Martz's appointment of John Hines to the
Council: "Montanans will be well served by their newest
appointee to the Northwest Power Planning Council."
MARCH 26
BPA Cuts May Force Tribes to Trim Jobs--The
East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR
Story on Bonneville's proposal to cut funding for the Rainwater Ranch and
Squaw Creek wildlife projects. Mentions the Council:
"They [the projects] were recommended for full funding by the
Northwest Power Planning Council, which oversees BPA mitigation..."
MARCH 28
Harvesting the Wind Now a Reality in Oregon--The Gazette, Colfax, WA
Story on the interest and growth in wind generation in Oregon.
Mentions the Council: "According to a March 6, 2000, report
from the Northwest Power Planning Council, there is reason for
concern. The council predicts a regional power deficit of 3000
megawatts by winter 2003."
MARCH 29
BPA Funds for Rainwater Ranch May Evaporate--The Walla Walla
Bulletin, Walla Walla, WA
Story on Bonneville's proposal to cut funding for the Rainwater Ranch
project. Mentions the Council: "The deal was made under
the Northwest Power Planning Council Fish and Wildlife Program to protect,
enhance and mitigate wildlife resources affected by hydroelectric
development in the Columbia River Basin."
MARCH 30
Central Oregon Industry Briefing--The Bulletin, Bend, OR
Brief news item on Bonneville's funding for fish and wildlife
projects. Mentions the Council: "In March 2001, BPA and
the Northwest Power Planning Council asked for project proposals to
improve conditions for fish and wildlife in the Columbia Plateau
Province...This solicitation was part of the council's provincial review
process." Also appears in the Vancouver Business Journal,
Vancouver, WA.
BPA Funds State Fish Projects--The
East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR
AP story on Bonneville's allocation of $32 million for fish and wildlife
projects in Washington and Oregon. Quotes Council Chair Larry
Cassidy: "Since the Northwest Power Act became law in 1980, BPA
has spent about $3.4 billion on required fish mitigation, said Larry
Cassidy of Vancouver, chairman of the Northwest Power Planning
Council." Also appears in The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA; The South County Journal, Kent, WA; The
Seattle Times/Post Intelligencer, Seattle, WA; The Longview Daily News,
Longview, WA; The Wenatchee World, Wenatchee, WA; The Gazette Times,
Corvallis, OR; and The Idaho Press-Tribune, Caldwell, ID.
New Plan Offers Protection for Birds and for Fish--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on a plan to protect both Caspian terns and endangered salmon.
Quotes Council Chair Larry Cassidy: "'We're not going to solve
salmon recovery in court,' he said. 'I'm not supportive of court
issues, as much as I am trying to find a balance to the terns eating
salmonids that cost an enormous amount of money to get to the mouth of the
Columbia."
Money Floods In for Salmon Runs--The Yakima Herald-Republic, Yakima,
WA
Story on Bonneville's allocation of $14 million to improve Yakima River
runs. Quotes Council Chair Larry Cassidy: "Larry Cassidy,
who heads the Northwest Power Planning Council, said the cash will cause
people to think differently about fish."
APRIL 2
Umatilla Tribes to Get $8.45 Million for Fish, Wildlife--The Walla
Walla Bulletin, Walla Walla, WA
Story on Bonneville's funding allocation to the Umatilla Tribes for fish
and wildlife projects. Mentions the Council: "'I would
say that the vast amount of the projects that were sponsored by the
Umatilla tribe and were recommended by the (Northwest Power Council) were
being funded in full,' said Sarah McNary, BPA's fish and wildlife
director."
APRIL 5
Projects to Aid Salmon Pushed--The
Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA
AP story on the Council's $36.3 million funding allocation for fish and
wildlife projects in northeastern Oregon, southeastern Washington and
central Idaho: "The projects, which include continuing and new
work, will be carried out by sponsors including state and federal fish and
wildlife agencies, Indian tribes and local conservation
districts." Also appears in The Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID; The
Bulletin, Bend, OR; The News-Review, Roseburg, OR; The Mail Tribune,
Medford, OR; The Democrat Herald, Albany, OR; and The Daily Journal of
Commerce, Portland, OR; The Walla Walla Bulletin, Walla Walla, WA; The
World, Coos Bay, OR; The Lewiston Tribune, Lewiston, ID; and The Daily
Argus Observer, Ontario, OR.
BPA Sale Salvages City Light Conservation Efforts--The Puget Sound
Business Journal, Seattle, WA
Story on an agreement between Seattle City Light and Bonneville for
conservation programs. Mentions the Council:
"Conservation spending peaked in 1994, when the BPA invested $333
million in energy savings programs, according to the Northwest Power
Planning Council, a Portland-based organization established by Northwest
states to monitor power supplies as well as fish recovery programs."
APRIL 9
A Picnicker's Paradise? Trojan owner ponders future uses for
the former nuclear energy plant--The
Portland Tribune, Portland, OR
Story on the possible uses of the Trojan nuclear plant facility and
property. Quotes Council staff: "'Logic says you have
transmission there, gas supply nearby and a site,' said Dick Watson,
director of the power division at the Northwest Power Planning
Council. 'It would be relatively easy to site a gas-fired plant
there. The infrastructure already is in place.'"
APRIL 12
Target Numbers for Delisting Endangered Fish Too High?--The
Wenatchee World, Wenatchee, WA
Story on the National Marine Fisheries Service preliminary figures for
wild salmon and steelhead it would like to see in the Columbia River and
its tributaries before considering removing fish from ESA listing.
Quotes Council Chair Larry Cassidy: "'Now we'll need to go to
work and see if these numbers are achievable and scientifically
supportable,' said Larry Cassidy, chairman of the Northwest Power Planning
Council."
APRIL 17
NCW Gets $3.3 Million for Fish Projects--The Wenatchee World,
Wenatchee, WA
Story on state and federal money allocated to fish and wildlife projects
in north central Washington. Mentions the Council:
"...the Northwest Power Planning Council also is considering a $1.38
million grant application to continue work beyond the first year."
APRIL 18
Loathes and Fishes--The Seattle Weekly, Seattle WA
Op ed on a coalition of pro-business and environmental groups that has
targeted Bonneville in its campaign against wasteful and environmentally
harmful spending. Mentions the Council: "Bonneville
spokesperson Ed Mosey responds that the friends of the fish ought to think
twice about allying themselves with pro-business groups engaged in
regional politicking. Punishing BPA's ratepayers because of a
disagreement over salmon is counterproductive, says Mosey, because it
won't end up saving any more fish. (Bonneville has committed $186
million this year for wildlife habitat recovery, according to the
Northwest Power Planning Council.)"
Fisheries Enhancement Group Receives Funding--The Okanogan Valley
Gazette-Tribune, Oroville, WA
Story on funding for the Upper Columbia Regional Fisheries Enhancement
Group for wildlife restoration and protection projects. Mentions the
Council: "The Northwest Power Planning Council is considering a
$1.38 million dollar grant application to continue the work at the
Similkameen site beyond the first year."
APRIL 22
Smaller Utilities Struggle to Save--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on the difficulty small utilities have in administering conservation
programs. Quotes Council staff: "Dick Watson, director of
the Northwest Power Planning Council's power division, also cited the
faddish, here-today, gone-tomorrow interest in conservation."
APRIL 25
Energy Northwest Won't Attempt to Complete Old Nuclear Plant--The
News Tribune, Tacoma, WA
Story on a study concluding it would not be financially or politically
feasible to complete one of the unfinished nuclear power plants.
Quotes Council staff: "'In general terms, we had said all along
it should only be restarted if it were cost-effective,' said John
Harrison, a spokesman for the Northwest Power Planning Council."
APRIL 28
Feds Set Finish Line for NW Salmon Recovery--The Mid Valley Sunday,
Albany/Corvallis, OR
AP story on the National Marine Fisheries Service's productivity targets
for fish. Mentions the Council: "While NMFS insists
the numbers are interim and could be changed, the Northwest Power Planning
Council is already using them as planning targets as it seeks to balance
salmon recovery with the region's electricity needs." Also
appears in The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA; The Yakima Herald-Republic,
Yakima, WA; The Daily Journal of Commerce, Seattle, WA; The Kodiak Daily
Mirror, Kodiak, AK; and The Daily Journal of Commerce, Portland, OR.
Northwest Governors Cancel Portland Meeting--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Brief story on the cancellation of a governors' summit. Mentions the
Council: "Kitzhaber was disturbed when the four-state Northwest
Power Planning Council passed over one of his appointees, Eric Bloch, for
the chairmanship earlier this year, instead electing Vancouver's Larry
Cassidy to a third term as chairman."
MAY 1
Kitzhaber: Consider Breaching River Dams--The
Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA
Story on Gov. Kitzhaber's address at a conference on the Columbia River
ecosystem. Quotes Council staff: "The conference was
designed to build trust between various groups and break down barriers to
improving river conditions, said John Harrison, spokesman for the
Northwest Power Planning Council."
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