McMorris Introduces Legislation to Require ESA Cost Transparency

Dec 30, 2008
Agriculture
Environment & Climate Change
Press

(Washington, D.C.)  Congresswoman Cathy McMorris (WA-05) today introduced the Endangered Species Compliance and Transparency Act of 2006 (H.R. 4857). The bill requires Power Marketing Administrations, including the Bonneville Power Administration, to provide each wholesale firm customer a list of direct and indirect cost estimates associated with compliance under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

“Whether or not you agree with how the Endangered Species Act is being implemented is not the point of this legislation,” said McMorris. “This bill simply gives customers the right to know how much of the federal government’s ESA costs are being passed on to the electricity consumer, who can then decide whether or not these expenditures are being spent effectively.”

ESA costs related to endangered salmon have risen considerably over the last several years due to federal court-mandates and other compliance programs. In 2004, one mandated spill cost the federal government $77 million in lost hydropower generation in the Pacific Northwest. Another spill this year helped make the Bonneville Power Administration the federal agency with the highest ESA compliance costs in the Nation. According to the BPA, last summer’s spill assisted between 25 to 300 adult salmon, meaning it cost rates payers between $250,000 to $3 million per fish. By law, the agency passes on all of these costs to its wholesale customers, who in turn forward the costs on to the retail electricity consumer.

Direct costs associated with compliance include study-related costs, capital, operations, maintenance, replacement costs and staffing costs. Indirect costs include forgone generation and replacement power costs.

Co-sponsors of the bill include Doc Hastings (WA-04), Greg Walden (OR-02), Butch Otter (ID -01), and Mike Simpson (ID-02).

Recent Posts


Oct 10, 2024
Standing with Israel

McMorris Rodgers Leads Bipartisan Legislation to Foster Alignment of Middle East Partners, Counter Iran

Washington, D.C. – Today, Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to improve security and military readiness between the United States and Abraham Accords nations. The Learning Integrated National Knowledge (LINK) Act would connect strategic, operational, and tactical senior commanders through an exchange program to foster greater integration and alignment.  This […]



Oct 7, 2024
Agriculture

McMorris Rodgers Helps Introduce Bipartisan 4-H Week Resolution

Washington, D.C. – Today, Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) helped introduce a bipartisan resolution to designate the week of October 7 through October 12 as “National 4-H Week.” She was joined in introducing the resolution by the co-chairs of the 4-H Caucus, Reps. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), David Scott (D-GA), and Henry Cuellar […]



Sep 24, 2024
Standing with Israel

Abraham Accords Caucus Introduces Bipartisan Resolution to Promote Peace and Tolerance in Education

Washington, D.C. – The Co-Chairs of the Abraham Accords Caucus, Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Ann Wagner (R-MO), and David Trone (D-MD), have introduced a bipartisan resolution encouraging the U.S. Department of State and civil society organizations to further the goals of the Abraham Accords by promoting peace and tolerance through education across […]