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Media Summary
Contact Carol Winkel
for more information. Also see archive.
Overview for May 5 - July 25, 2003
Media coverage of the Council from May through July focused on Council
staffer Terry Morlan's presentation at the Pacific NW Regional Economic
Conference and his assessment of the status of the Northwest's aluminum
industry; the Council's estimate that 2,000 - 3,000 megawatts of wind
power could be developed in the next 20 years; the Council's forecast of
rising gas prices; and the Council's name change.
MAY 5
NW Power Council to Meet Here--The Walla Walla Bulletin, Walla
Walla, WA
Notice on the Council's upcoming meeting in Walla Walla: "The
council is charged with developing a 20-year plan to ensure economical
distribution of electricity from federal dams on the Columbia River, and
fish and wildlife programs to protect and rebuild animal populations
affected by hydropower developments."
MAY 7
Pacific Power Lowers Price of Blue Sky Wind Energy--The Times,
Brownsville, OR
Story on Pacific Power's lowered cost for renewable energy. Cites
data from the Council: "Calculations are based on an
independent analysis completed by the Northwest Power Planning Council and
EPA data."
MAY 8
Power Council Meets in WW--The Walla Walla Bulletin, Walla Walla, WA
Story on the Council and its Washington members: "Both [Larry
Cassidy and Tom Karier] said the key issues to restoring and maintaining
fish runs are clean water with cooler temperatures and adequate flows at
the right times of the year."
MAY 9
Bill Could Free Up Columbia River Water--The Capital Press, Salem,
OR
Story on a bill that would streamline the state's water permit application
process and reserve water from the Columbia River for economic
development. Mentions the Council: "Since 1994 when
the state initiated rules designed to meet target flows for fish survival
that were put forward by the Northwest Power Planning Council, it has
issued only five new surface water rights and two reservoir water
rights."
MAY 16
Ruling on NMFS Has Little Effect on Power Plan For Now--The Capital
Press, Salem, OR
Story on how the federal court's decision overturning the National Marine
Fisheries Service's Biological Opinion affects the Council's fish and
wildlife program: "Unless he [Judge Redden] extends his
decision to incorporate hydropower operations, spokesman John Harrison
said the Northwest Power Planning Council would continue to implement its
revised strategy for Columbia River System operations, approved April
10."
MAY 23
Bonneville Power Rate Outlook Improves--The Capital Press, Salem, OR
Story on Bonneville Power Administration's improved financial
condition. Mentions the Council: "According to John
Harrison, spokesman for the Northwest Power Planning Council, water
conditions have been getting much better since Bonneville made its revenue
forecast in February."
Columbia River Bill Moves to Oregon House Floor--The Capital Press,
Salem, OR
Story on the Oregon bill that would reserve water from the mainstem
Columbia River for economic development and streamline the state's water
permit application process. Mentions the Council: "The
policies were designed to meet target flows for fish survival brought
forward by the Northwest Power Planning Council."
MAY 24
Major Aluminum Production Likely Finished in Northwest--The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA
AP story on the outlook for the Northwest's aluminum industry as
presented by Council staffer Terry Morlan at the Pacific Northwest
Regional Economic Conference: "'It looks to us that the Pacific
Northwest's era as an aluminum production center for the U.S. and the
world is most likely over,' said Morlan, a Northwest Power Planning
Council economist." Also appears in The Daily News, Longview,
WA; The Post Register, Idaho Falls, ID; The Idaho State Journal,
Pocatello, ID; The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA; The Bellingham Herald,
Bellingham, WA; The Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA; The Wenatchee World,
Wenatchee, WA; and The Daily Spectrum, Saint George, UT.
MAY 25
Would a Legal Challenge Trump Conditions Put on Power Plant?--The
Herald & News, Klamath Falls, OR
Guest columnist on a proposed COB power plan in the Langell Valley.
Mentions the Council: "New projections by the Pacific Northwest
Utilities Conference Committee, the Northwest Power Planning Council and
other Industry analysts show generous surpluses of power for years into
the future."
MAY 28
NW Leaders May Begin BPA Oversight--The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA
Story on efforts to create a panel of Northwest leaders to oversee the
Bonneville Power Administration. Mentions the Council:
"The Northwest Power Planning Council has tentatively listed a
similar discussion for its meetings in that Idaho city the following
week."
MAY 29
Judge Confirms Flaws in Salmon Recovery Plan--The Star-News, McCall,
ID
Op ed by the president of Idaho Steelhead Salmon United regarding Judge
Redden's ruling against the federal government's 2000 Biological
Opinion. Mentions the Council: "The plan is a failure and
now it's in the open. No longer can federal agencies like The
Northwest Power Planning Council hide behind phony scientific panels and
create their own science opinions to justify their actions."
JUNE 5
Dams, Power Consensus Expected from Governors at Salmon Recovery
Meet--The Oregonian, Portland, OR
Story on the Northwest governors summit on salmon recovery. Quotes
Council member Ed Bartlett: "Ed Bartlett, who represents
Montana on the Northwest Power Planning Council, summed up the
recommendations of advisers to all four governors: 'The programs
that are in place will work, and we need to continue with that.'"
Conservation Group Touts Wind Power--The Union Bulletin, Walla
Walla, WA
AP story on the potential of wind power in the region. Mentions the
Council: "The Northwest Power Planning Council estimates that
2,000 to 3,000 megawatts of wind power could be developed in the next 20
years in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana, spokesman John Harrison
said." Also appears in The Yakima Herald Republic, Yakima, WA; The
Columbian, Vancouver, WA; The Oregonian, Portland, OR; The Post
Register, Idaho Falls, ID; The Bulletin, Bend, OR; The Herald, Everett,
WA; The Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, WA; The Daily Record,
Ellensburg, WA; The Daily Journal of Commerce, Seattle, WA; and The
Wenatchee World, Wenatchee, WA.
JUNE 6
Northwest Governors Ask BPA to Review Its Finances--The News
Tribune, Tacoma, WA
Story on the request of the Bonneville Power Administration by the
governors: "...the governors of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and
Montana--meeting in Boise on Thursday--called on the federal power
marketing agency to conduct its own financial review, with help from the
Northwest Power Planning Council."
Changes Name--The Agri-Times Northwest, Pendleton, OR
Brief notice on the Council's name change: "The Northwest Power
Planning Council has decided to change its name to the Northwest Power and
Conservation Council."
Endangered Species Act 'Broken,' Official Says--The Capital Press,
Salem, OR
Story on the fallout from Judge Redden's decision on the 2000 Biological
Opinion. Quotes Council member Jim Kempton: "Our plans
have concentrated on mitigation and habitat restoration to recover
populations. This is a bottom-up approach, and I don't think we
could do any better in achieving objectives."
JUNE 12
Council Approves Fish, Wildlife Package--The Lewiston Tribune,
Lewiston, ID
AP story on the Council's approval of a three-year, $34 million package
for fish and wildlife projects. Quotes Council Chair Judi
Danielson: "Given the current financial crisis at Bonneville,
we recommended a package of projects that produce biological benefits and
improve scientific knowledge at the lowest possible cost." Also
appears in The Idaho Press-Tribune, Caldwell, ID; The Idaho State Journal,
Pocatello, ID; and The Capital Press, Salem, OR.
JUNE 13
Funding for Salmon Advances on Two Fronts--The
Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID
Story on the Council's approval of a $34 million fish and wildlife
package. Quotes Council member Jim Kempton: "'You don't
want to force a conflict between the Endangered Species Act and the 1980
Northwest Power Act,' said Jim Kempton, a council member from Idaho."
PUC Chief to Retire This Year--The Statesman Journal, Salem, OR
Story on the announcement that Roy Hemmingway, chairman of the Oregon
Public Utilities Commission, will retire in September. Mentions the
Council: "He [Hemmingway] was a founding member of the
Northwest Power Planning Council, the regional electricity planning
body."
Oregon's Beleaguered PUC Chief is Retiring--The
Oregonian, Portland, OR
Story on the retirement of Roy Hemmingway. Mentions the
Council: "He [Hemmingway] was an adviser to Govs. Bob Straub
and Vic Atiyeh and a founding member of the Northwest Power Planning
Council, the regional electricity planning body."
JUNE 15
State's Energy Mess Will Get Worse Before It Gets Better--The Great
Falls Tribune, Great Falls, MT
Story on how deregulation has affected Montana's energy situation.
Quotes Council member John Hines: "'The big, critical question
is the next five to 10 years,' said John Hines, one of Montana's two
Northwest Power Planning Council members. 'You had some certainty
under regulation. But now it's a huge, huge question mark.'"
JUNE 18
NW Governors Unite Against Dam Breaching--The Chinook Observer, Long
Beach, WA
Story on the four Northwest governors' agreement against breaching the
four federal dams on the lower Snake River. Mentions the
Council: "The governors also noted that the pace of the federal
salmon recovery effort in the interior Columbia region is 'not well
synchronized' with each state's planning effort that is being spearheaded
by the Power Planning Council and its 62-subbasin planning program."
JUNE 22
Plotting a Power Gambit--The Gazette, Billings, MT
Story on Montana's energy market and the competition to develop new power
generating facilities. Quotes Council member John Hines:
"'This is not black or white, or a zero-sum game,' Hines said.
The plants will be built 'to the level they meet their owners' needs or
other participants' expections."
JUNE 27
Olympia Firm to Aid County With Salmon Recovery--The Daily Sun News,
Sunnyside, WA
Story on the selection of Entrix Inc. by Yakima County commissioners to
provide technical services for their subbasin planning work.
Mentions the Council: "Entrix will be responsible for helping
define strategies that will drive the implementation of the Northwest
Power Planning Council's Fish and Wildlife Program for the Yakima
watershed."
BPA Rate Hike Lower Than Scheduled--The Capital Press, Salem, OR
Story on Bonneville's revised rate increase from 15.6 percent to 5
percent. Quotes Council Chair Judi Danielson: "'The
council has always been concerned about a 15 percent increase,' she
said. 'The economy in the region is much too rough for an increase
of that size.'"
JULY 1
$175 Million Plan in the Wind--The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA
Story on the proposed Wild Horse wind power project in Kittitas
County. Quotes Council staff: "As of this spring, the
Northwest Power Planning Council counted about 450 megawatts of new wind
farms in the region, said spokesman John Harrison."
JULY 5
Conservationists Question Use of Innovative Nets--The Morning News,
Blackfoot, ID
AP story on the Council's decision to discontinue funding for tests on
tangle net fishing. Quotes Council staff: "Mark Fritsch,
Planning Council fish production coordinator, said his agency is concerned
about the incidental take." Also appears in The Idaho State
Journal, Pocatello, ID; The Lewiston Tribune, Lewiston, ID; and The Daily
News, Moscow, ID.
Derfler to Discuss Energy--The Statesman Journal, Salem, OR
Notice on Council member Gene Derfler's scheduled speaking engagement at a
Manufacturers Assistance Exchange Forum: "Derfler will discuss
his transition from statewide politics to his new job as a member of the
Northwest Power Planning Council."
JULY 7
Wholesale Electricity Rates Rise 5 Percent--The Stanwood Camano
News, Stanwood, WA
Story on Bonneville's plan to raise its wholesale power rates 5 percent on
October 1. Mentions the Council: "PUD commissioners
believe the federal energy wholesaler could raise $110 million by taking
part in a summer spill test, suggested by [the] Northwest Power Planning
Council, to take place on the Columbia River during July and August."
JULY 16
Future of Pollution Laws Still Hazy--The
Seattle Times, Seattle, WA
Story on the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council's public hearing on
limiting the impact of carbon-dioxide emissions from large power
plants. Quotes Council staff: "Jeff King, Northwest Power
Planning Council's senior resource analyst, said power-plant developers
might be more receptive to the idea of a carbon-dioxide emissions standard
than most people would give them credit for."
JULY 17
Battle Over Keeping Dams Rages On--The Daily Journal of Commerce,
Seattle, WA
Story on the movement to remove aging river barriers to restore salmon
runs and create new community recreation areas. Quotes then Council
Chair Larry Cassidy in a response to a study by the Rand group:
"'The removal of the four lower Snake River dams has an economic cost
that may be small relative to the entire Northwest or national economy but
large compared to the estimated benefits,' Cassidy warned."
JULY 18
Power Council Study Forecasts Rising Gas Prices--The Miles City
Star, Miles City, MT
AP story on a Council power analysis. Quotes Council staff:
"'The fact is that gas is just getting more expensive to recover,'
said Terry Morlan, manager of economic analysis for the council. 'In
the last year, the overall supply outlook has been pretty
pessimistic.'" Also appears in The Havre Daily News, Havre, MT;
The Tri-City Herald, Kennewick,
WA; The Independent Record, Helena, MT; The Great Falls Tribune, Great
Falls, MT; The Daily Interlake, Kalispell, MT; The Montana Standard,
Butte, MT; The Missoulian, Missoula, MT; and The Columbian, Vancouver, WA.
Northwest Power Planning Council Changes Name--The Daily Interlake,
Kalispell, MT
Story on the Council's name change: "The Northwest Power
Planning Council this week changed its name to the Northwest Power and
Conservation Council." Also appears in The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA; The Oregonian, Portland, OR; and The
Portland Tribune, Portland, OR.
A Road Map to Get BPA to True Zero--The
Seattle Times, Seattle, WA
Op ed on how Bonneville can eliminate or completely zero out the 15
percent increase planned for October. Mentions the Council:
"Adopting recommendations by the Northwest Power Council to reduce
spilling water in July and August, which would save up to $110 million
without harming any listed salmon stocks."
JULY 25
Attorney Urges Takeover of BPA--The
Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA
Story on a proposal by Portland attorney James Buchal for Northwest public
utilities to take over the Bonneville Power Administration. Mentions
the Council: "Buchal believed this proposed Northwest public
agency should assume the power-related roles of the Northwest Power
Planning Council."
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