January 2007 Issue

Forecast of Near-Average Columbia River Runoff Portends Average Power Prices

The water supply in the Columbia River Basin is near average, and that means the supply of hydroelectricity should be normal through the spring and summer months, according to a Council analysis. The Northwest River Forecast Center in Portland predicts January-July runoff of 105 million acre-feet at The Dalles Dam, which is 98 percent of the 30-year historical average. The predicted runoff, combined with a continuing regional surplus of electricity, means that Northwest consumers are unlikely to suffer high power prices in 2007.

Concern Over Canadian Coal Mine

The Council approved a letter (1.7mb PDF) to the British Columbia's Environmental Assessment Office expressing concern about the potential for negative downriver impacts to water quality and fish and wildlife in the Flathead and Columbia river basins from the proposed Cline Mine just north of the Montana/British Columbia border in the headwaters of the North Fork Flathead River. The Council asked the Assessment Office to allow sufficient time for an assessment of baseline environmental conditions and potential impacts south of the border.

Karier, Dukes Will Lead Council in 2007 

The Council re-elected Chair Tom Karier and Vice Chair Joan Dukes to lead the four-state energy and fish and wildlife planning agency in 2007. Karier, of Spokane, Washington, and Dukes, of Svensen, Oregon, held the same positions in 2006. Idaho Council member Jim Kempton will serve as chair of the power committee and Montana Council member Rhonda Whiting will serve as chair of the fish and wildlife committee. See press release.

Biennial Monitoring Report of Fifth Power Plan Finds Region on Track 

The Council approved the Biennial Power Plan Monitoring Report, which is a review of the conclusions and recommendations of the Council's Fifth Northwest Power Plan. The report concludes that the plan does not need a substantive revision at this time and that overall, Northwest utilities are making good progress implementing the actions in the power plan.