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Media Summary
Contact Carol Winkel
for more information. Also see archive.
Overview for December - February 23, 2003
Media coverage December through February 23 focused on Bonneville's
evolving financial crisis and how it would affect the Council's Columbia
River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program; reaction to the Council's draft
mainstem amendments on hydropower operations; and the Council's power
supply forecast for the region.
DECEMBER 2
Soul-Searching for Stable NW Power--The
Seattle Times, Seattle, WA
Editorial on the Council's recommendations to Bonneville regarding its
role post 2006: "The Power Council's proposals are reasonable
ones reducing Bonneville's vulnerability if the markets should go awry,
while giving customer utilities more say over their own operations."
DECEMBER 4
Underwater Pipes Could Guide Fingerlings--The Daily Journal of
Commerce, Portland, OR
Story on a new system to steer migrating salmon past dams. Mentions
the Council: "His proposal has caught the eye of federal
agencies, including the Northwest Power Planning Council and Army Corps of
Engineers, which are conducting reviews for possible funding from the
Bonneville Power Administration."
More Fish; But salmon still have a long way to go--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Editorial on the record returns of fall chinook at Bonneville Dam.
Lauds the change, but cautions there is still more to do. Mentions
the Council: "Accurate counts from a century or more ago are
impossible to come by, but the Northwest Power Planning Council has
estimated that up to 16 million adult salmon of all species entered the
river prior to the arrival of Lewis and Clark 200 years ago."
Cattlemen Focus on Trade and Land Use--The Grandview Herald,
Grandview, WA
Brief story on the Washington Cattlemen's Association annual convention
and address by Larry Cassidy: "Larry Cassidy, chairman of the
Northwest Power Planning Council and a member of the WCA, spoke to
cattlemen on the necessity of salmon restoration without prohibitive land
use restrictions." Also appears in The Omak-Okanogan County
Chronicle, Omak, WA.
Northwest Power Planning Council Seeks Comment--The Aberdeen Times,
Aberdeen, ID
Brief notice on the Council's request for comments on its draft
recommendations on Bonneville's future.
Dry Autumn Sparks Worry About Salmon, Energy--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on the unusually dry weather and its effect on fish and power.
Quotes Council staff: "John Fazio, systems analyst for the
Northwest Power Planning Council, cited an updated forecast for the
Columbia basin showing runoff is expected to be only 82 percent of normal
next spring."
DECEMBER 5
CEDC Fisheries Testing Dam Bypass Device--The Chief, Clatskanie, OR
Story on Clatsop County's CEDC Fisheries Project testing of a device that
could eliminate barging fish around dams. Mentions the
Council: "A staff member with the Northwest Power Planning
Council referred Burns to CEDC Fisheries Project Manager Tod Jones."
DECEMBER 6
Buyer's Market Aids Puget's Power Hunt--The Puget Sound Business
Journal, Seattle, WA
Story on Puget Sound Energy's search for new power. Quotes Council
staff: "'As far as I know, they are the only (buyer) at the
moment. It's really good timing for them. There are several
half-finished power plants around the region and presumbly they could
negotiate a good deal,' [Jeff] King said."
NMFS Director Likes Water Transfer Plan--The
Yakima Herald Republic, Yakima, WA
Story on the NOAA Fisheries Regional Administrator Bob Lohn's presentation
to the hop growers' convention. Mentions the Council:
"The Portland-based council, formed 22 years ago to guide the
region's energy future and protect fish and wildlife, is coordinating fish
recovery planning and favors a basin-by-basin approach that involves local
citizens in crafting remedies."
Public Speaks Up on Salmon Recovery--The Missoulian, Missoula, MT
Story on the Council's forum on its draft mainstem amendments:
"...the amendments would release more water from upstream reservoirs
during the winter, when it is needed for power generation, and hold onto
more water during spring and summer, when it is wished for by
boaters."
DECEMBER 7
Latest Salmon Effort May Be Futile--Yakima
Herald Republic, Yakima, WA
Story on Kittitas County's refusal to participate in the Council's
subbasin planning effort: "They [Kititas County commissioners]
call the planning effort redundant and have declined previous invitations
to join."
Officials Discuss Proposed Wildlife Board--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Story on efforts to form a Yakima subbasin planning group: "The
Northwest Power Planning Council is coordinating fish recovery
plans--through subbasin groups such as the one proposed--for the entire
Columbia River Basin..."
DECEMBER 10
Federal Rules that Protect Threatened Fish Revisited--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Story on the Council's proposed changes on hydrosystem operations:
"The power planning council, which Congress created in 1980 to
balance the needs of wildlife with the Northwest's appetite for power, is
preparing to propose new guidelines for federal dam operation."
Dams' Operation Hearing Today--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Meeting Notice on the Council's public hearing for the draft mainstem
amendments: "Most notably, the four-state council's proposed
recommendations would allow Columbia River power managers to curtail the
amount of water dedicated to speed young salmon to the Pacific Ocean in
the spring."
DECEMBER 11
NW Council Says Power Shortages Likely in 2005-06--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Story on the chances of a power shortage in the Northwest this
winter. Quotes Council staff: "'This is the same kind of
situation we were in a few years ago,' said John Fazio, an analyst for the
council, which seeks to balance fish and power priorities for water use in
the region." Also appears in The Wenatchee World, Wenatchee,
WA.
Tough Power-Versus-Salmon Choices Loom--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on the Council's proposed recommendations on hydrosystem
operations: "A controversial set of recommendations that seemed
to favor power production drew mixed reviews."
Industry, Irrigators Seek Eased Fish Rules--The
Statesman Journal, Salem, OR
AP story on the Council's proposed recommendations on hydrosystem
operations: "The Northwest Power Planning Council, which
balances the needs of fish and wildlife against power production, has
proposed reducing springtime flows in the Columbia Basin that push
migrating salmon to the ocean." Also appears in The Observer,
La Grande, OR; The Walla Walla Bulletin, Walla Walla, WA; The East
Oregonian, Pendleton, OR; The Herald & News, Klamath Falls, OR; The
Mail Tribune, Medford, OR; and The Olympian, Olympia, WA.
DECEMBER 12
Fish Need Water--The Oregonian,
Portland, OR
Editorial critical of the Council's proposed recommendations on
hydrosystem operations: "It's possible that one day scientists
may conclude that the flow levels for fish could be safely reduced in the
Columbia Basin, but that day is not yet here."
DECEMBER 13
More Power And Fish?--The
Seattle Times, Seattle, WA
Editorial on the Council's proposed recommendations on hydrosystem
operations: "...it [the Council] needs to build regional
consensus with more evidence that the changes won't send progress on
salmon recovery downstream."
Little Risk of Power Shortages This Year--The
Seattle Post Intelligencer, Seattle, WA
Story on the Northwest's power supply: "The council said the
probability of electricity shortages this winter is estimated at 4
percent."
BPA Wants Fish Program Cut by $40 Million--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Story on Bonneville's financial condition and cuts to fish and wildlife
spending: "BPA Administrator Steve Wright, in a letter this
week to Larry Cassidy, chairman of the Northwest Power Planning Council,
said the federal agency is facing 'its most severe financial challenge in
at least 20 years' and wishes to fund 2003 council fish-recovery efforts
at about the 2002 level." Also appears in The Gazette-Times,
Corvallis, OR; The Daily News, Longview, WA; The News Register,
McMinnville, OR; The Herald & News, Klamath Falls, OR; The Lewiston
Tribune, Lewiston, ID; The Columbian, Vancouver, WA; The Chronicle, The
Dalles, OR; The Mail Tribune, Medford, OR; and The Walla Walla Bulletin,
Walla Walla, WA.
DECEMBER 14
Northwest May Face Electricity Shortages--The
Post-Register, Idaho Falls, ID
AP story on a Council analysis. Quotes Council member Tom
Karier: "'We will be OK this winter, but for the 2004 to 2006
period we are exposed to a level of risk that is higher than we think it
should be,' said Tom Karier, the Power Committee chairman and one of
Washington's two council members." Also appears in The Lewiston
Tribune, Lewiston, ID; and The Portland Tribune, Portland, OR.
DECEMBER 18
Council's Ready to Make Power Play with Dams--Lewiston Tribune,
Lewiston, ID
Op ed on the Council's proposed recommendations on hydrosystem
operations: "If the council's recommendation on how the federal
Columbia-Snake River hydrosystem should run has as much weight to it as in
the past, it would turn back the progress made in salmon and steelhead
recovery."
DECEMBER 19
Worried Officials Glance Skyward--The
Seattle Post Intelligencer, Seattle, WA
Story on the shrinking Cascade glaciers and its implications for future
water supplies. Quotes Council staff: "But lower
summer-time flows mean less power production during that season, reducing
the amount of electricity to sell to the Southwest when its demand is
highest, said Northwest Power Planning Council analyst John
Fazio." Also appears in The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA; The Daily
World, Aberdeen, WA; and The Columbian, Vancouver, WA.
DECEMBER 20
Council to Determine 'Essential' Projects--The Lewiston Tribune,
Lewiston, ID
AP story on the Council's efforts to identify budget cuts in fish and
wildlife spending to help Bonneville's financial situation:
"Representatives of several Indian tribes urged the council to
preserve existing salmon conservation projects." Also appears
in The Observer, La Grande, OR; The Gazette-Times, Corvallis, OR; The
Post-Register, Idaho Falls, ID; The Daily Argus Observer, Ontario, OR; The
Daily World, Aberdeen, WA; The News-Review, Roseburg, OR; The
Seattle Times, Seattle, WA; The East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR; The
Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR; The Walla Walla Bulletin, Walla Walla, WA;
The Yakima Herald Republic, Yakima, WA; The Skagit Valley Herald, Mount
Vernon, WA; and The Capital Press, Salem, OR.
Council to Help BPA Cut Budget for Salmon--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on the Council's efforts to help Bonneville cut fish and wildlife
spending in response to their financial situation: "Members of
the Northwest Power Planning Council agreed Thursday to help the
Bonneville Power Administration slash funding for salmon restoration in
light of Bonneville's latest financial crisis."
Tribes: Don't Let BPA Cut Fish Projects--Idaho
Statesman, Boise, ID
AP story on the Indian tribes' urging to the Council to preserve fish and
wildlife project funding and resist programming cuts: "Tribal
leaders, including Donald Sampson of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish
Commission, told the eight council members they stand behind the regional
agency's conservation plans and would fight any Bonneville
cuts." Also appears in The Oregonian, Portland, OR; The
Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA; The Daily Journal of Commerce,
Seattle, WA; The Seattle Post Intelligencer, Seattle, WA; and The
Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA.
Public Input on Bull Trout Recovery Under Way--The Capital Press,
Salem, OR
Story on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's efforts to develop recovery
plans for endangered bull trout. Mentions the Council:
"[Mark] Bagdovitz said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hopes the
bull trout habitat and recovery recommendations in the Columbia River
basin can be incorporated into sub-basin salmon and steelhead restoration
planning efforts underway through the Northwest power Planning Council and
Bonneville Power Administration."
Council to Help BPA Lower 2003 Budget--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Story on the Council's agreement to help Bonneville cut fish and wildlife
funding due to its financial crisis: "The power council, which
makes key recommendations about which fish projects BPA should pay for, is
chagrined the agency asked for more cuts in fish funding."
Risk of NW Power Shortages to Increase--The Puget Sound Business
Journal, Seattle, WA
Brief sidebar on the Northwest's power supply: "The probability
of winter power shortages in the Northwest could more than triple within
two years, according to a recent report by the Northwest Power Planning
Council."
DECEMBER 22
Early Columbia River Runoff Forecast an Ominous Heads-up for Power
Companies and Ratepayers--The Wenatchee World, Wenatchee, WA
Story on the National Weather Service's forecast for a 73 percent of
normal runoff at The Dalles, Oregon. Quotes Council staff:
"'It doesn't look very good,' said John Fazio, an analyst for the
Northwest Power Planning Council, which balances energy and fish demands
in the region."
DECEMBER 24
BPA Calls for Deep Cuts to FY 2003 Fish Spending--The Chinook
Observer, Long Beach, WA
Story on Bonneville's cuts to fish and wildlife spending:
"[Steve] Wright asked council members for their help in prioritizing
the BPA fish and wildlife budget, outlining steps to make sure that FY
2003's expense accruals don't exceed $139 million and to prioritize
spending to keep annual costs of the direct program below that level
throughout the ongoing rate period."
DECEMBER 26
BPA Losses Put Stream, Riparian Projects at Risk--The Observer, La
Grande, OR
Story on how Bonneville's fish and wildlife funding cuts will affect the
Grande Ronde River watershed. Mentions the Council:
"Earlier this month, BPA notified the Northwest Power Planning
Council of its plan to reduce the funds allocated for the Columbia
Basin."
Bonneville Power Squeezes Tribal Mitigation Purchases--The Herald,
Bonners Ferry, ID
Story on the impact of Bonneville's financial crisis on fish and wildlife
projects. Quotes Council member Larry Cassidy: "'We don't
have a choice,' Council Chairman Larry Cassidy said after the Council met
with Bonneville officials."
Whims Won't Restore Fish Runs--The
Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR
Editorial on the impact of Bonneville's financial crisis on fish and
wildlife recovery. Mentions the Council: "But members of
the Northwest Power Planning Council and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal
Fish Commission are justifiably unhappy both about BPA's apparent lack of
strong long-term commitment to fisheries recovery and its odd way of
keeping track of the spending to which it is obligated."
DECEMBER 30
Pulling Up a Chair at a Table Groaning with Heavy Issues--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Profile of Oregon's new Northwest Power Planning Council appointee Melinda
Eden: "Since her Oregon Senate confirmation in November, she
has attended council meetings, sought perspective from tribal members,
irrigators and conservationists and pored through policy briefings and
legal statutes." Also appears in The East Oregonian, Pendleton,
OR; The World, Coos Bay, OR; The Daily Argus Observer, Ontario, OR; The
Observer, La Grande, OR; The Walla Walla Bulletin, Walla Walla, WA; The
Statesman Journal, Salem, OR; The Herald & News, Klamath Falls, OR;
The Democrat Herald, Albany, OR; and The Register Guard, Eugene, OR.
DECEMBER 31
Group Says BPA Should Limit Smelters' Power Allotment--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Brief sidebar on the Council's recommendations to Bonneville, specifically
regarding the amount of power allotted to aluminum smelters: "A
Northwest electricity-planning group is recommending that the Bonneville
Power Administration cut its energy allotment to nine aluminum smelters in
the area starting in 2006..."
JANUARY 2
BPA Wants Cuts in 2003 Salmon Recovery Costs--The Enterprise, White
Salmon, WA
Story on Bonneville's funding cuts to fish and wildlife projects:
Quotes Council Chair Larry Cassidy: "Cassidy said he would
convene an emergency meeting of the council in Portland soon to re-examine
its recommendations for salmon recovery spending by the BPA."
JANUARY 3
Reforms Lurk in Shadows as City Light's Halo Dims--The
Seattle Post Intelligencer, Seattle, WA
Op ed on the upcoming reconfirmation hearing for Seattle City Light
Superintendent Gary Zarker. Mentions the Council:
"Pressure from Seattle served as a prod for Congress to create the
Northwest Power Planning Council as a counterbalance to the insular 'iron
triangle' (utilities, aluminum producers and the Bonneville Power
Administration) which long dictated energy policy in the region."
Low Snowpack, High Rates Could Spell Trouble--The Puget Sound
Business Journal, Seattle, WA
Story on the forecast for higher electricity rates due to the dry water
year, low snowpack, and Bonneville's budget shortfall. Quotes
Council member Tom Karier: "'We could be headed right back into
the problems we faced in 2000,' said Tom Karier, chairman of the power
committee at the Northwest Power Planning Council..."
Public Hearing Planned on Power Council Program--The
Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR
Brief notice on the Council's public hearing on its draft mainstem
amendments.
JANUARY 7
Chinook Run Topic of Talk--The
Statesman Journal, Salem, OR
Story on the upcoming Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting and
their agenda. Mentions the Council in a rundown of topics to be
discussed: "A summary of the 2002 operations of the federal
Columbia River power-generation system, the key issues related to 2003
operations of the network of dams and power grids and a comparison of the
Northwest Power Planning Council's draft measures for hydropower
operations with Oregon's recommended measure that were submitted in June
2001."
JANUARY 8
PUD Pitches in $8,000 to Review Federal Salmon Recovery Plan--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on the Clark Public Utilities Commission's efforts to lobby
Bonneville in managing dams. Mentions the Council: "[Rob]
Walton said the [Public Power] council broadly supports a recent set of
draft recommendations by the Northwest Power Planning Council that would
curtail the amount of water dedicated to speed young salmon to the Pacific
Ocean in the spring."
JANUARY 10
Processors, Fishers Warn of Impacts of Dams on Salmon--The
Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR
Story on comments on the Council's draft mainstem amendments by fishing
industry representatives at a recent public hearing:
"Testifying before three members of the Northwest Power Planning
Council Wednesday night, a handful of fishermen, fish processors and other
maritime interests said changes to how water is released from dams on the
Columbia and Snake rivers will put jobs built around salmon fishing at
risk." Also appears in The Democrat Herald, Albany, OR; The
Walla Walla Bulletin, Walla Walla, WA; The Observer, La Grande, OR; and
The Daily Record, Ellensburg, WA.
Snowpack Dependency Puts Northwest at Risk--The
Seattle Times, Seattle, WA
Op ed on the need to develop clean-energy and reduce the region's
dependency on rain and snowpack. Mentions the Council:
"In order to build the clean-energy future, BPA needs help from
regional leaders, including progressive utilities, members of the
Northwest Power Planning Council and clean-energy friends such as Gov.
Gary Locke."
King County Eyes Landfill As New Source of Power--The Puget Sound
Business Journal, Seattle, WA
Story on a proposed landfill gas-to-energy project. Mentions the
Council: "In the Northwest there are currently five landfill
gas-to-energy plants in operation that produce 18.5 megawatts annually,
according to the Northwest Power Planning Council."
JANUARY 11
Coalition Works to Restore Area Water Flow--The Bulletin, Bend, OR
Story on the Deschutes Coordinating Group and its efforts to develop a
strategic plan for managing the area's water resources. Mentions the
Council: "The group recently received $250,000 from the
Bonneville Power Administration to write the plan, which will become part
of the Northwest Power Planning Council's planning process."
JANUARY 12
Power Planners to Review Use of Dams--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on the Council's draft mainstem amendments and public hearing:
"The proposal calls for federal agencies to curtail the amount of
water dumped out of massive upstream reservoirs in the spring to help
propel juvenile salmon toward the Pacific Ocean."
JANUARY 15
Area Outlook for Electricity is Brighter--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on the Council's meeting in Vancouver; touches on the improved
energy outlook for the region and the draft mainstem amendments.
Quotes Council staff: "'With California's help, the resources
are there,' said John Fazio, an analyst for the four-state council."
Little Chance of Power Shortage, Council Says--Idaho State Journal,
Pocatello, ID
AP story on the Council's power supply forecast. Quotes Council
member Tom Karier: "While the runoff prediction is well below
average, there is little chance of a power shortage this year because the
demand for electricity is below normal and new power plants were
constructed during and after the energy crisis of 2000-2001, Karier
said." Also appears in The Morning News, Blackfoot, ID; The
Portland Tribune, Portland, OR; The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA; The Herald & News, Klamath Falls,
OR; The Democrat Herald, Albany, OR; The Daily Tidings, Ashland, OR; The
Observer, La Grande, OR; The Statesman Journal, Salem, OR; and The
Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA.
Teaching Salmon to Sink or Swim--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Feature story on how hatcheries are changing to produce fish that will be
better able to survive in the wild. Quotes Council Chair Larry
Cassidy: "Larry Cassidy, chairman of the Northwest Power
Planning Council, said he's excited about the new techniques. The
council recommended that the Bonneville Power Administration finance the
Cle Elum hatchery and a similar hatchery built and operated by the Nez
Perce Tribe in Idaho."
JANUARY 17
Likely Natural-gas Shortage Could Increase Power Costs--The Puget
Sound Business Journal, Seattle, WA
Story on the possibility of higher gas prices. Quotes Council
staff: "'I think prices are likely to go somewhat higher,
mainly on the gas side, but we are not talking about anything like what
happened in 2000 and 2001,' said Terry Morlan, manager of economic
analysis at the Northwest Power Planning Council in Portland."
JANUARY 19
Northwest Power Council Picks Leaders--The
Sunday Oregonian, Portland, OR
Brief notice on newly elected Judi Danielson as chair and Tom Karier as
vice chair of the Council. Also appears in The Mail Tribune,
Medford, OR; The Herald & News, Klamath Falls, OR; The Idaho
Statesman, Boise, ID; The News Review, Roseburg, OR; The East Oregonian,
Pendleton, OR; The Daily Journal of Commerce, Portland, OR; The Lewiston
Tribune, Lewiston, ID; The Times-News, Twin Falls, ID; The Capital Press,
Salem, OR; The Tribune, Great Falls, MT; and The Puget Sound Business
Journal, Seattle, WA.
Cassidy Gives Up Reins of Power Planning Council--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Profile of out-going Chair Larry Cassidy: "Cassidy oversaw the
council during a period when electricity rates spiked to unprecedented
heights while the hydroelectricity-dependent Northwest struggled to find a
way to save imperiled salmon."
Stable Energy Markets Could Grow Uneasy--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Forecast of energy prices by Council staffer Terry Morlan:
"Beyond next year, electricity markets become more uncertain.
Key factors include the strength of economic recovery, the financial
health of independent energy companies, and changes to the basic market
structure for electricity."
JANUARY 22
River Managers Call Emergency Meeting on Fish Funding Cutbacks--The
Chinook Observer, Long Beach, WA
Story on the Council's emergency meeting to deal with potential cuts in
Bonneville's FY 2003 fish and wildlife budget: "Council members
and staff spent a lot of time last week discussing how to cut fish and
wildlife programs to help BPA deal with its financial crisis."
JANUARY 23
Northwest Council Votes for Minor Name Change--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on the Council's name change: "Once the council uses up
the last of its old letterhead, it will be known as the Northwest Power
and Conservation Council."
Fish Appreciate Home Improvements--The Daily Record, Ellensburg, WA
Story on the Teanaway River Restoration Project. Mentions the
Council: "The Yakama Nation received Bonneville Power
Administration funding, under a Northwest Power Council grant, to
construct pumping plants and pressurized irrigation water delivery systems
for three irrigation entities in the Teanaway River basin."
Dry Weather to Increase Energy Costs--The Oregon Daily Emerald,
Eugene, OR
Story on anticipated increased power rates. Quotes Council
staff: "Northwest Power Planning Council spokesman John
Harrison said during the 2000-01 energy crisis, drought reduced energy
supplies by 4,000 megawatts--nearly four times the amount of energy used
by Seattle in a year."
JANUARY 24
Without Water, Idaho Salmon Face a Dry, Deadly Migration--The
Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID
Op ed by R.L. Nick Nicholson, president of Idaho Steelhead and Salmon
Unlimited on the Council's draft mainstem amendments: "The
Northwest Power Planning Council, an entity established to protect,
mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife resources affected by hydropower
development, may be driving the final nail in the coffin."
Planners Predict Power Aplenty--The Capital Press, Salem, OR
Story on the Council's revised forecast for the region's power
supply: "In the case of the present forecast, the NPPC is
forecasting a less than 5 percent chance of a loss of load situation,
based on Pacific Northwest power production alone through 2005."
JANUARY 26
An Industry Going Cold--The
Sunday Oregonian, Portland, OR
Feature story on the ailing aluminum industry. Quotes Council
staff: "'By far, they're facing their greatest challenge ever,'
said Terry Morlan, an energy analyst with the Northwest Power Planning
Council in Portland."
Removing Fish Barriers--The
Yakima Herald Republic, Yakima, WA
Story on the efforts of stakeholders in the Yakima River Basin to develop
a program to address fish passage problems. Mentions the
Council: "Bonneville, following recommendations from the
Northwest Power Planning Council, agreed to fund the program through
2004."
JANUARY 28
Council Moves to Cut BPA Budget--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
AP story on Bonneville's budget cuts to fish and wildlife spending.
Mentions the Council: "The Northwest Power Planning Council,
which balances fish and wildlife against hydroelectric power in the
Columbia Basin, on Monday unanimously approved a set of principles for
reducing the BPA fish and wildlife budget from $174 million to $139
million this year." Also appears in The East Oregonian,
Pendleton, OR; The Herald & News, Klamath Falls, OR; The Walla Walla
Bulletin, Walla Walla, WA; The Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA; The Daily
World, Aberdeen, WA; and The Observer, La Grande, OR.
JANUARY 30
Tribes to Gather Information on Rainwater Wildlife Area--The East
Oregonian, Pendleton, OR
Story on the development of a management plan for the Rainwater Wildlife
Area. Mentions the Council: "The property was acquired
through an agreement with the Bonneville Power Administration under the
Northwest Power Planning Council Fish and Wildlife Program for purposes of
protecting, enhancing, and mitigating wildlife resources impacted by
hydroelectric development in the Columbia River Basin."
FEBRUARY 1
Aluminum Plant's Future Uncertain--The
Bellingham Herald, Bellingham, WA
Story on the possible closing of Alcoa Intalco Works aluminum plant
because of rising hydropower costs and the depressed world market.
Mentions the Council: "According to the Power Planning
Council's November report, Intalco could manage to keep operating with
power prices above $40 per megawatt, and aluminum prices of $1,500 per
metric ton." Also appears in The Daily Journal of Commerce,
Seattle, WA.
Striking a Balance--The East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR
Editorial applauding an address by former Council Chair Larry
Cassidy: "We appreciate the efforts of entities like the
locally based water coalition and a progressive approach by the power
planners in taking the high road and urging greater cooperation."
FEBRUARY 7
BPA Set to Raise Electricity Rates 15%--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on Bonneville's proposed rate increase. Quotes Council
staff: "'If we get more rain in the winter and less snow, it's
going to be difficult to store that water and carry it over into the
summer,' said John Fazio, an analyst for the Northwest Power Planning
Council."
FEBRUARY 8
BPA May Increase Wholesale Rates 15%--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Story on Bonneville's proposed rate increase. Mentions the
Council: "The Northwest Power Planning Council, which
administers the fish and wildlife program, rejects the idea of any further
cuts [to fish and wildlife spending]."
Horse Heaven Hills Wind Farm Scuttled--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Story on the Horse Heaven Hills wind farm and its cancellation.
Quotes Council staff: "'I would see a very low level of
development,' said Jeff King, a resource analyst with the Northwest Power
and Conservation Council, which balances energy and fish priorities."
BPA May Zap Customers with Electric-rate Hike--The
Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA
Story on Bonneville's proposed rate increase. Quotes Council member
Tom Karier regarding fish and wildlife budget cuts: "Tom
Karier, a member of the Northwest Power Planning Council from Spokane,
said the situation called for more scrutiny."
FEBRUARY 9
Fish Power--The Seattle
Times/Post Intelligencer, Seattle, WA
Story on the large return of chum salmon in the Skagit River last fall,
and expectations for continued increases. Mentions the
Council: "A study done for the Northwest Power Planning Council
suggests the construction and operation of dams account for the loss of
about 5 million to 11 million adult fish in the Columbia and its
tributaries."
FEBRUARY 13
Think Snow--The Columbian,
Vancouver, WA
Editorial on Bonneville's financial crisis. Indirectly refers to the
Council's role through the NW Power Act: "But those [salmon
restoration] programs are not superfluous; they're mandated by the
Endangered Species Act, the Northwest Power Act and tribal treaties in
exchange for the use of the Columbia-Snake river system for power
production."
FEBRUARY 15
NW Tribes Assail BPA on Salmon Revival Aid--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Story on the Northwest tribes' objections to Bonneville's plans to cut
funding for fish and wildlife projects. Mentions the Council:
"The tribes acted after BPA officials in December said they wanted to
hold 2003 salmon spending to 2002 levels, which they said would mean
cutting about $40 million from fish and wildlife restoration efforts
recommended by the Northwest Power Planning Council, an agency of four
Northwest states."
FEBRUARY 16
Northwest Tribes Call for Audit of the BPA--The Bend Bulletin, Bend,
OR
AP story on the Northwest tribes' objections to Bonneville's plans to cut
funding for fish and wildlife projects. Quotes Council member Tom
Karier: "...he criticized BPA administrative expenses and
suggested the agency could find more savings that could be passed along to
conservation programs."
FEBRUARY 18
Don't Cut Back Water for Salmon--The
Seattle Post Intelligencer, Seattle, WA
Editorial urging the Council to abandon its draft mainstem proposal on
hydrosystem operations: "The big danger is that reducing the
amount of water flowing through the dams during spring and summer would
harm downstream migration of young salmon and steelhead trying to make
their way to the ocean."
FEBRUARY 19
BPA Says Debt Idea Won't Work--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on Bonneville's plans for a rate increase. Mentions the
Council: "...Steve Wright told members of the Northwest Power
Planning Council on Tuesday that the Bonneville Power Administration will
continue to pare down its own budget in an effort to minimize pain to an
already-sagging [sic] economy."
FEBRUARY 22
Budget Cuts Threat to Salmon--The
Statesman Journal, Salem, OR
Story on the Council's draft revised fish and wildlife budget requested by
Bonneville in response to their financial crisis. Quotes Council
member Melinda Eden: "'I'm still not convinced there isn't
enough money to stop trashing fish and wildlife programs,' said Melinda
Eden, an Oregon attorney who is the newest member of the council."
FEBRUARY 23
Aluminum All But Gone--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
Story on the status of the aluminum industry in the Northwest.
Quotes Council staff: "Terry Morlan, manager of economic
analysis for the Northwest Power and Conservation Council in Portland,
said in a recent report that Washington's industry stake is fast
eroding."
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