It's Time to Talk, Not Fight
On October 14, the state of Oregon restarted litigation on the operation of the federal dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers. Oregon’s lawsuit calls for a dramatic reduction in hydropower generation, which has consequences for you and the more than 1 million Oregonians who rely on our hydro system for clean, reliable, and affordable electricity.
In response, Salem Electric general manager Tony Schacher, along with leaders from other consumer-owned utilities across Oregon, signed a letter to Governor Kotek. The letter expressed deep concerns about the state’s direction and emphasized a belief that now is the time to talk—not fight over hydropower and salmon.
The best way to ensure we have both a robust salmon population and a dependable energy supply is to leave the courtroom behind and return to the table. A long, costly, and divisive legal battle has the potential to dramatically raise electricity bills for Oregonians who can least afford them.
We have a long history of supporting salmon recovery efforts alongside hydropower. Through your monthly power bills, you help fund one of the world’s largest fish and wildlife mitigation programs—one that is delivering results and proves that salmon and hydropower can successfully co-exist.
But our responsibility doesn’t end there, we’re also committed to keeping your lights on. The state’s legal actions risk devaluing portions of the hydropower system that are critical during extreme weather events like heat domes and ice storms, making brownouts and blackouts more likely.
Now is the time to work together on a sustainable path toward effective solutions that protect salmon while preserving the quality of life for Oregonians who rely on our federal dams for clean, reliable, and affordable power. We urge the State of Oregon to leave the courtroom behind and join us at the table.
Read the Letter to Governor Kotek
Read the Public Power Council News Release that warns that "If granted, Oregon and the other plaintiffs’ motion could cost Northwest public power ratepayers and other river users hundreds of millions of dollars per year and increase the risk of regional blackouts, all while diverting attention from collaborative, science-based solutions."