NE Washington News

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan have raised concerns regarding the potential breach of the Lower Snake River dams and its impact on electric grid reliability. In a letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chair Willie L. Phillips and other Commissioners, they highlighted the importance of considering the consequences of such actions on the grid.

"We are concerned that the Biden administration failed to consider the impact of dam breaches on electric reliability when conducting its secret negotiations," stated Rodgers and Duncan. They emphasized the vital role of the Lower Snake River dams in providing over 3,000 MW of affordable capacity for communities in the western United States, ensuring reliability and resource adequacy.

FERC Chairman Phillips acknowledged the significance of reliable resources, stating, "we cannot, as a country, afford to retire resources on which we depend for reliability without ensuring that they are replaced with sufficient resources." He highlighted the essential role of hydroelectric dams in the Columbia River Basin, including the Lower Snake River dams, in maintaining grid stability during high-demand periods like the recent cold snap in the Pacific Northwest.

The dams along the Columbia Snake River system contribute significantly to hydropower capacity in the United States, with hydropower accounting for 70 percent of electricity consumed in Washington State. Additionally, these dams play a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities and cargo transportation in the region.

Despite the dams' importance, the Biden administration's secretive negotiations to breach the Lower Snake River dams have raised concerns among residents of the Pacific Northwest. Members of the Energy and Commerce Committee have posed key questions to FERC regarding the impacts on electric reliability, affordability, and resource adequacy in the western United States.

FERC's coordination with other federal entities, including the DOE, BPA, and the White House, is crucial in assessing the potential loss of dispatchable, clean, renewable hydroelectric power in the west. The need for cost-effective and efficient replacement technologies, such as wind, solar, and hydrogen, has been highlighted to ensure grid stability if the dams are breached.

The Columbia River Basin MOU outlines various replacement energy resources, but the adequacy of these resources in replacing the capacity and reliability services provided by the dams remains a point of concern. The potential effects on energy prices, capacity contracts, and system capabilities need to be carefully evaluated to safeguard grid reliability in the region.

The letter from Chairs Rodgers and Duncan underscores the importance of FERC's involvement in discussions related to the Lower Snake River dams to prevent any policies that could undermine grid reliability. As the dialogue continues, a comprehensive assessment of replacement resources and their implications on the electric grid will be essential in ensuring a reliable and affordable energy supply for communities in the western United States.