Guest Commentary

Growing population plus transition to electric vehicles mean Northwest dams are needed now more than ever

OLYMPIA–Kris Johnson, president of the Association of Washington Business, issued the following statement on the release of the Murray-Inslee draft report on the impacts of breaching four lower Snake River dams:

“Clean, renewable and affordable hydropower is one of our region’s primary competitive advantages. For decades, industries have been attracted to Washington because of our low-cost low-carbon power, and we’re at the forefront of the emerging energy generation and storage industry because of it. The region’s dams enable our growers to produce some of the finest crops in the world, too — and get them to market with the lowest possible carbon footprint. So, the idea that we could breach these dams that have been foundational for our economy without suffering serious economic and environmental consequences is fundamentally flawed. And even though the report released today estimates the cost of replacing the dams to be as high as $27 billion, it still understates the considerable benefits the dams provide in terms of carbon-free hydroelectric power, low-carbon transportation benefits, and region-wide power adequacy.

“As we transition to a clean-energy economy, our region’s dams are going to become more important, not less important. In 1962, when the first of the four lower Snake River dams opened, Washington’s population was 2.9 million. Today, it’s 7.76 million with another 2 million expected to arrive by 2040. We need these dams now more than ever to keep up with this growing population plus the increased demand for electricity that will come with the transition to electric vehicles. Sources like wind and solar need the steady baseload power provided by the dams to ensure an affordable and reliable power grid. Replacing hydroelectric power with fossil fuel power would be moving in the wrong direction. 

“Washington employers are leaders and continue to lead the way on the environment and the state has invested in the greenest energy production in the U.S. The dams on the lower Snake River report fish survival rates between 95-98%, demonstrating that healthy salmon and dams can coexist. Instead of studying the impacts of breaching these critically important dams, we should look to them for lessons about how we can improve fish survival rates on other dams that lack dedicated fish passage. It can be about both economic growth and preserving and protecting our environment.”

About the Association of Washington Business

Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association and includes nearly 7,000 members representing 700,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing and Microsoft, 92% of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit http://www.awb.org.