Washington energy customers win in hydro settlement
The Bonneville Power Administration, the agency that sells Columbia Basin hydropower, will lower its proposed rate hike after a legal challenge by local environmental and clean energy advocates. The administration had proposed a roughly 6% increase, arguing it needed an additional $250 million to meet new guidelines requiring more water to be spilled over Columbia River dams to support migrating salmon. Ben Otto, policy director for the Northwest Energy Coalition, which was part of the proceedings, said while he understands Bonneville needs to earn money for its services, the proposed increase was overblown. "BPA's finances are actually in really good shape, and we think that a more holistic examination would find ways to adapt these costs into BPA's overall financial picture instead of just immediately trying to reach into people's pocketbooks," Otto contended. The Bonneville Power Administration provides electricity to more than 5 million people across the Pacific Northwest and Otto said the settlement will save customers close to $40 million. He explained spilling water over dams allows juvenile fish to travel more safely downstream, without passing through lethal turbines. The proposed rate hike is one of several recent increases. The administration already raised its rates by about 9% this
