Rehberg Meets with Bonneville Power Administration in Effort to Prevent Rate Increases

Rehberg Meets with Bonneville Power Administration in Effort to Prevent Rate Increases

Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg, met today with Steve Wright, administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), to discuss potential rate increases for Montana power consumers.

"Montana consumers depend on the affordable and reliable power that BPA provides," said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. "The possible rate increases facing consumers are unacceptable. I will keep an eye on the Administration's 2008 proposal to ensure the level of service for Montana families is continued."

In October 2006, Rehberg contacted the Bush administration to express concern about previous BPA budget proposals. The Administration's 2006 proposal included a requirement mandating BPA sell its power to consumers and businesses at market-based rates and proposed an accelerated debt payment plan for BPA in 2007, both of which would lead to rate increases.

"The Administration and BPA must fill in the gaps so rates don't spiral out of control," said Rehberg. "We've defeated these proposals the past two years and I'll continue pressing for workable solutions so that Montanans don't get stuck with the bill."
BPA supplies 40 percent of the power used in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington including 400,000 consumers in Montana.

http://www.house.gov/list/press/mt00_rehberg/011707_BPAMeeting.html

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