January 2009 Issue

Council Assesses Potential Energy Resources for the Sixth Power Plan

Jeff King, senior resource analyst, reviewed potential future resources being considered as part of the Council's Sixth Power Plan. The list included: natural gas, wind, coal, new hydropower, and solar. King assessed resources based on their availability, technical performance, and capital and operating costs. Other issues that might help or hinder their development were also factored into the assessment. See presentation (420k PDF)

Panel Urges Vigorous Commitment to Increasing Energy Efficiency

Nancy Hirsh, policy director of the Northwest Energy Coalition and Jim Morton, executive director of the Human Resources Council presented their views on energy efficiency. Hirsh highlighted the critical role of the Bonneville Power Administration in achieving energy efficiency and noted these recommendations: 1) increase the funding and staff of the regional technical forum; 2) increase research, development, and demonstration efforts; 3) fund programs to move people into jobs needed to increase energy efficiency; 4) fund the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance's growth; 5) monitor and verify savings; and 6) fund low-income weatherization programs.

Mike Weedall, Bonneville Power Administration, provided an overview of the public process to define BPA's role in conservation achievement. He noted that it is a two-phased process. Phase one will cover policy issues to develop a proposal, and phase two will cover implementation details.

Council Approves Columbia River Fish Accord Project and Funds for Fish Screens

The Council approved the Columbia River Fish Accord Review for Genetic Assessment of Columbia River stocks (100k PDF), projects designed to help fish managers understand the genetic make-up and diversity of Columbia River fish. The project consolidates four proposals agreed to through the Fish Accords.

The Council also approved additional funding for the Oregon Fish Screen Project (70k PDF) to cover the anticipated loss of Mitchell Act funds. The project installs fish screens and passage devices to aid ESA-threatened fish in the John Day, Umatilla, and Walla Walla basins.

Council Elects Its 2009 Officers

Idaho Council Member Bill Booth was re-elected as chair, and Montana Council Member Bruce Measure was re-elected as vice chair at the Council's January meeting.

Booth, of Coeur d'Alene, was appointed to the Council in January of 2007 by Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter, and he was elected to serve as chair in 2008.

Measure, of Kalispell, was appointed to the Council in January 2005 by Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer. He was elected to serve as vice chair in 2008.

Chair Booth also reappointed Oregon Council Member Melinda Eden as chair of the power committee, Montana Member Rhonda Whiting as chair of the fish and wildlife committee, and Washington Member Dick Wallace as chair of the public affairs committee.