March 12, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Industry leaders and groups who rely on the Lower Snake River dams released statements applauding Rep. Dan Newhouse’s package of legislation he introduced today protecting the dams and hydropower.
Michelle Hennings, Executive Director, Washington Association of Wheat Growers said, “Congressman Newhouse has been a steadfast champion of ensuring the Columbia River System, including the lower Snake River Dams, remain a reliable inland waterways system for the wheat growers in Washington and beyond who depend on barging to transport their goods to market. Should the dams be breached, it would have catastrophic impacts on not only family-owned Washington wheat farmers, but the rural economy as a whole. We remain committed to working alongside Congressman Newhouse and other Congressional champions to ensure the integrity and functionality of the dams.”
Louis Finkel, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) said, “NRECA applauds the introduction of the Defending Our Dams Act, which ensures commonsense protections of the Lower Snake River dams, a crucial source of reliable power in the Pacific Northwest and the backbone of the region’s economy. Efforts to breach the four dams fly in the face of decades of scientific studies and threaten the region’s electric grid, putting dozens of Northwest electric cooperatives and their consumer-members at risk. We thank Congressman Newhouse for championing this legislation and for his steadfast support of the region’s electric co-ops.”
Neil Maunu, Executive Director, Pacific Northwest Waterways Association said, “Rep. Newhouse’s collection of bills regarding the Lower Snake River Dams recognizes the myriad benefits of these run-of-the-river projects including affordable hydropower, river navigation, recreation, irrigation, and world-class fish passage. These benefits are of critical value not just to the Inland Empire, but to the entire Pacific Northwest, and, in fact, the nation at large.”
Leslie Druffel, Co-Chair of the Inland Ports and Navigation Group, The McGregor Company said, “The entire economy of our region depends either directly or indirectly on the Lower Snake River Dams and the energy, irrigation, and transportation benefits they provide. Both dryland and irrigated farms, as well as those who support them, like the MacGregor Company, and those that depend on agricultural outputs need these pieces of essential infrastructure to remain functional.”
Clark Mather, Executive Director, Northwest RiverPartners said, “Northwest RiverPartners wants to thank Rep. Newhouse for his unwavering support of affordable, reliable, and clean hydropower. Our hydropower keeps electric rates low for millions of people in Washington State and throughout the Northwest, and with Rep. Newhouse, we will keep fighting to protect this vital source of affordable, reliable energy.”
David Reeploeg, Tri-City Development Council said, “Since the day he entered Congress, Dan Newhouse has championed the Lower Snake River Dams as an incredibly important national asset. These bills are yet another example of his steadfast leadership on an issue that is critically important to the Tri-Cities and all of Central Washington. We look forward to working with Congressman Newhouse to ensure the dams are protected, and to continue supporting efforts to increase salmon populations in the Lower Snake River and throughout the Pacific Northwest region. Additionally, we appreciate his work to support hydropower and the critical role it will continue to play in providing the country with affordable, reliable, and clean baseload power.”
Scott Simms, CEO and Executive Director, Public Power Council said, “The mission of the Public Power Council is to preserve and enhance the benefits of the Federal Columbia River Power System marketed by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) for both consumer-owned utilities and the communities they serve. In recent years, efforts to diminish the system have aggressively sought to seek ways to breech or operational devalue the system, the legislation introduced today resets that harmful trajectory. PPC applauds the work of Congressman Newhouse to introduce the Defending Our Dams Act and Protecting Our Water Resources Act.”
Chandler Goule, CEO, National Association of Wheat Growers said, “Wheat growers across the nation rely on the Lower Snake River Dams to efficiently transport their crops to market through the Columbia-Snake River system. This system supports the movement of over 60% of all U.S. wheat exports to global markets at a low cost and with exceptional reliability. Moreover, these dams generate approximately 1,000 megawatts of renewable hydropower every year, ensuring a stable and affordable source of energy that not only powers agricultural operations but also sustains the economic vitality of rural communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. It is vital that these dams remain operational to sustain these benefits. Thank you, Congressman Newhouse, for leading the charge to protect the Lower Snake River Dams for future generations.”
Kurt Miller, CEO & Executive Director, Northwest Public Power Association said, “Representative Newhouse’s bill to allow the Federal Regulatory commission to extend licenses for hydropower projects will help ensure that hydropower resources continue to provide community-owned electric utilities with reliable, affordable energy. The bill provides a much-needed relief value for the construction and expansion of hydropower projects.”
Paul Jacob, CEO, Rye Development said, “Hydropower delivers reliable, baseload energy that keeps the lights on throughout the county. Thanks to Representative Newhouse, projects delayed by the pandemic will get a second chance to create thousands of jobs, spur economic development, and support a more resilient grid.”
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