To Congress and the citizens of the Pacific Northwest:
Fiscal Year 2005 was a year of major accomplishments for the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. The Council revised its Northwest Power Plan, the fifth complete revision since the Council was created, adopted 58 locally developed subbasin plans that will guide future implementation of the Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program, and submitted recommendations to Congress on future operations of federally funded fish hatcheries in the Columbia Basin.
The Fifth Northwest Power Plan will help the Bonneville Power Administration and the region’s electric utilities and state utility commissions develop strategies to meet the region’s electricity needs at the lowest cost with acceptable risk. The power plan also provides insights into the resolution of some of the key issues affecting the power industry, such as what constitutes an adequate and reliable power supply and transmission system, identifying the means of sustaining investment in cost-effective energy conservation and renewable resources, and determining how to maintain a reliable power supply while also effectively and efficiently recovering fish and wildlife.
Subbasin plans identify priority restoration and protection strategies for habitat and fish and wildlife populations in the Columbia River Basin. The plans will guide the future implementation of the Council’s fish and wildlife program, which directs more than $140 million per year of Bonneville electricity revenues to protect, mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife affected by hydropower generation.
The Council’s recommendations regarding fish hatcheries respond to a request from Congress and are the culmination of a thorough review of hatchery policies and operations. This year the Council also participated in Bonneville’s Power Function Review and the Regional Dialogue on the future of Bonneville in developing the region’s power supply.
The Council provides Northwest citizens an opportunity unique in the nation to participate in decision-making regarding the region’s electricity supply and Columbia River Basin fish and wildlife. I am pleased to present this annual report, which provides an overview of the Council’s work in Fiscal Year 2005.
Sincerely,
Melinda S. Eden
Chair, 2005