If you have some time, please go to the Capital Press and read Tom Mallams’ op-ed, Purported Benefits of ESA Deserve 'the Rest of the Story’ (subscription required). Mr. Mallams – who is the President of the Klamath Off-Project Water Users Association– makes some very good points about the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 

To quote Mr. Mallams…

“If anyone believes there is little cost to this out-of-control ESA, you have not looked at the cost of fuel, electricity, food, the unemployment numbers, home foreclosures, the ability to fund schools and law enforcement. The list goes on forever…

“Upgrading the dams would not only address environmental issues, but would surely add new, more efficient, higher-performing turbines, which could make the dams financially viable. This is not a time to be taking out existing, green power-producing hydroelectric dams.”

I agree.  And that’s why I recently introduced The Endangered Species Compliance and Transparency Act.  This bill would lead to better decision on hydropower by requiring Power Marketing Administrations (including the Bonneville Power Administration) to separate out and report the costs associated with ESA.  To learn more about the bill, click here.