NHA President and CEO, Malcolm Woolf, Statement on Federal Government’s Proposed Plans to Derail Clean Energy Goals in PNW
Washington, DC (November 29, 2023) – “As the voice of the U.S. water power industry, NHA is extremely alarmed by recently revealed documents that detail the federal government’s apparent plan to settle ongoing litigation around Columbia River System Operations. We believe this plan will greatly harm our industry and fail to address the energy needs of millions of Americans in the Pacific Northwest.
“We want to find solutions that benefit all stakeholders. That’s why our organization has been deeply engaged in ongoing dialogues among industry, environmental groups, and tribal nations. Finding common ground around our clean energy goals requires transparency, honesty and careful planning. As far as we can see, this proposed agreement does not meet these criteria, which will undermine and derail our shared objectives.
“Many of NHA’s members and congressional champions are already expressing frustration and confusion with the details of this proposed agreement. NHA, too, would like answers about whether the plan will undermine 24/7 electric grid reliability in the Pacific Northwest, what data was used to justify these decisions, how this agreement will impact important agencies like the Bonneville Power Administration, why certain tribal nations were given preference over others, and more. With so many questions left unanswered and unclear, we urge the Administration to pause this misguided plan.”
Media Contact: Copeland Tucker, Director of Public Affairs, National Hydropower Association, copeland@hydro.org, (771) 216-4699
###
