Bipartisan Northwest Leaders Advocate for Columbia River Treaty

Reps. McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) & DeFazio (D-OR) urge President Obama to discuss Columbia River Treaty with Canadian Prime Minster Trudeau

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) met with Canadian Members of Parliament this week to discuss important issues along the United States northwest border with Canada—border security and access, water and energy policy, and the sale and transportation of goods.

“The strong friendship between the United States and Canada has benefited our region for years,” McMorris Rodgers said. “We must continue to work proactively to ensure this positive and mutually-beneficial relationship continues.”

In particular, McMorris Rodgers raised the importance of the Columbia River Treaty. This agreement “plays an indispensable role in the livelihoods of those in the Pacific Northwest.” McMorris Rodgers and her Democrat colleague from Oregon, Peter DeFazio (OR-04) said in a letter to President Obama urging him raise the issue during the visit of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “[The first cross-border water treaty in the world] serves as a framework for the mutual benefit of both countries, providing low-cost hydropower generation, flood control and economic growth.”

Time is of the essence. If the Canadian Entitlement Return is not rebalanced by 2024, Pacific Northwest ratepayers will lose roughly $1 million every 2-3 days or about $150 million a year. The State Department must conclude its review process and initiate negotiations with Canada.

Click here to read the bipartisan letter McMorris Rodgers and DeFazio sent President Obama.

McMorris Rodgers and DeFazio co-chair the bipartisan Northwest Energy Caucus.