February 2009 Issue

Council Adopts Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program

Council members approved the revised program, the nation's largest regional effort to protect and enhance fish and wildlife. The program emphasizes local recovery plans, rigorous scientific review, and protecting habitat in order to rebuild self-sustaining fish and wildlife populations.

Climate Change Policies and the Sixth Power Plan

John Fazio, senior power system analyst and Jeff King, senior resource analyst, briefed (400k PDF) the Council on how the Sixth Power Plan might deal with policies that aim to reduce CO2 emissions. They reviewed the proposed assumptions for developing the plan's CO2 allowance prices, production tax credits, investment credits, and renewable energy credits. Following comments and discussion, the Council decided to include an additional scenario where there are no costs to CO2 emissions.

Council Requests Comment on Its Preliminary Demand Forecast

The Council approved release of its draft economic and demand forecasts. These assumptions are appendices and will be used in developing the Council's Sixth Power Plan, which provides a blueprint to assure the Northwest's power supply. The appendices are subject to change as more information becomes available. The comment period ends on March 6.

Council Approves Site Reviews of Wenatchee Subbasin Fish and Wildlife Projects

The Council approved sequential, site-specific reviews (60k PDF) for the five projects proposed by the Chelan County Natural Resources Department. The projects are designed to enhance the watershed system to aid salmonids. The Council's scientific review panel had requested that the project sponsor provide additional information on implementing the proposal, the focal species expected to benefit, the ecological justification, the landowner agreement, and the monitoring plans for each site.