Letter to Patty Murray, Senior Senator of Washington State, Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington State - Newhouse to Inslee, Murray: "Our communities cannot afford to breach and remove the Lower Snake River Dams"

Letter

Governor Inslee and Senator Murray:

I write to submit the following comments on the recently released draft Lower Snake River Dams Benefit Replacement Report. I have read the report, and while I could comment on each page, it is clear this draft report has come to the same conclusion that I, along with federal scientists, engineers, and fish biologists, have understood for many years now: Our communities cannot afford to breach and remove the Lower Snake River Dams. This report reiterates the importance of the Lower Snake River Dams to our agriculture, transportation, navigation, irrigation, tourism, and clean energy sectors. The total estimated costs referenced at the end of the report, between $10.3 to $27.2 billion -- which the report indicates are "low" estimates -- are not a feasible burden to place upon ratepayers and taxpayers throughout Washington state and the Pacific Northwest. Further, I must continue to point to the fact that the operation of the Lower Snake River Dams -- federal infrastructure -- is up to the entire United States Congress, not a politically-motivated, taxpayer-funded process or report with no statutory authority. As the Member of Congress who represents the communities most impacted by the Lower Snake River Dams, I have included the following comments and urge these factors missing from the draft be included in the final report:

Fish Survival Rates

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reported that the U.S. v. Oregon Technical Advisory Committee, which forecasts and monitors salmon and steelhead returns to the Columbia River, upgraded the 2022 forecast for sockeye returning to the river. The forecast indicates sockeye returning to the river to 426,000, which is more than double the preseason forecast. Up to June 29, the preliminary sockeye count at the Bonneville Dam is 343,953 fish, which is the highest count to date in the last 10 years.

This recent analysis, conducted by scientists and researchers in Washington state, must be included in the final report.

Breaching and Removal Emissions Mitigation Costs

In analyzing the direct costs of dam breaching, the draft report summarizes, on page 18 and on page 90, breaching and removal cost estimates and assumptions, as well as other cost considerations including habitat restoration, protection of cultural resources, and modifications to other infrastructure. What this draft report does not include, however, is an analysis of emissions estimates associated with the process of breaching and removing of the Lower Snake River Dams (LSRD). The act of breaching and removing the LSRD, one that would require heavy equipment and machinery, will undoubtedly release carbon emissions into the air. Given Washington state's commitment to reduce its carbon emissions, which the state's energy suppliers and industries have taken very seriously, it is crucial a thorough, accurate analysis be included in the final version of this report. Emissions created as a result of unnecessarily breaching and removing the dams, and the impact they will have on wildlife, air quality, water quality, and other factors, must be considered.

Energy Crisis

On June 6, 2022, President Biden issued a Declaration of Emergency, stating that a current emergency exists "with respect to the threats of the availability of sufficient electricity generation capacity to meet expected customer demand." The declaration, in part, reads:

"Multiple factors are threatening the ability of the United States to provide sufficient electricity generation to serve expected customer demand. These factors include disruptions to energy markets caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. For example, in parts of the country, drought conditions coupled with heatwaves are simultaneously causing projected electricity supply shortfalls and record electricity demand. As a result, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation have both warned of near-term electricity reliability concerns in their recent summer reliability assessments."

A recent report commissioned by the Public Power Council (PPC), which is also included as a document of support for these comments, examined the role the Lower Snake River Dams played in recent extreme events, including the June 2021 heat dome, recent extreme cold, disruptions to natural gas supplies, and the 2020 California blackouts. The study examined the role the LSRD played in those events and found, "The conditions are present in the PNW for scarcity events to potentially escalate into blackouts. This risk gets worse when hydro supply is removed from the generation fleet." It goes on to state, "With an electric grid that is already prone to scarcity events, removal of the LSRD or implementation of both policies may very well prove to a tipping point, nudging the PNW system into acute scarcity" (pg. 127). Simply put, the timing of this draft report paired with the current vulnerability of our nation's electric grid demonstrates a radically dangerous and out of touch effort driven by ideological and political motives, not the betterment of the communities throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Energy Replacement and Alternatives

Page 61 references the changing energy environment and the types of technological advances that could provide growth for renewable energy sources, including hydrogen technology. Green hydrogen technology is generated by renewable energy, including hydropower. One of the limiting factors for developing green hydrogen energy is the high cost of production. Central Washington, and the Pacific Northwest, is known for our low-cost, reliable, carbon-free energy generated by hydroelectric dams, including the four Lower Snake River Dams. Existing hydrogen projects in our area, as well as any future projects considering our region for potential location, will depend on the availability of hydropower. Some companies who are already in the initial phases of developing hydrogen technologies in Central Washington are depending on the availability of the power provided by the LSRD. The draft report itself reads: "The addition of green hydrogen production at this scale for uses both within and outside of Washington will require substantial increase in renewable generating capacity that is currently beyond what is anticipated to meet existing end uses." If our region is to remain competitive in the renewable energy space and remain a desirable site for future industry to call home, it will absolutely need the renewable generating capacity provided by the LSRD. Breaching and removing these dams could cost Central Washington the potential for jobs, clean energy growth opportunities, and economic revenue. This region has a legacy of attracting the technology industry and developing advancements in scientific research, particularly in the energy sector. The breaching and removal of the Lower Snake River Dams could have a detrimental effect on this legacy.

Individuals Contacted for Report

Pages 97-106 of the report include a list of individuals who were contacted for this draft report. On page 104, the report lists "The Office of Representative Mike Simpson" and includes a member of his staff. Not one member of my staff was ever contacted or consulted to provide information for this draft report. Not only is the operation of the Lower Snake River Dams within federal purview, but I am also the federal representative for Washington's 4th Congressional District, which includes two of the four LSRD. Before the release of the final report, my office -- as well as the entire congressional delegation representing the Pacific Northwest -- should be consulted for input.

Another group of individuals not consulted in preparation of the draft report was the end users themselves: the ratepayers. Individuals and families across Central Washington and the Pacific Northwest are facing soaring energy costs and an increasing risk for blackouts. Communities are relying on the Lower Snake River Dams to keep their lights on, yet they were not consulted. Before the release of the final report, I request that meaningful input from ratepayers -- including my constituents -- be included.

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