WASHINGTON, D.C. (May, 24, 2018) – Today, U.S. Representatives from Washington state Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), and Dave Reichert (WA-08) issued a joint statement following the U.S. Department of Energy’s announcement that they will not sell off Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) assets.

“On behalf of the 12 million residents and businesses in the Pacific Northwest who rely on the clean, affordable hydropower generated from BPA, we applaud the Administration for responding to our concerns over the potential sale of BPA’s transmission assets and making the formal decision to abandon such plans.

“We have voiced our strong opposition to this proposal and are grateful to Secretary Perry for continuing to study the impact a sell-off would have on our region and recognizing BPA’s unique and vital role in maintaining economic vitality for our Northwest communities. It’s a big relief to know that this harmful proposal will not be pursued.”

NOTE: Last year, fifteen Pacific Northwest Members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary Perry and Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney expressing their concern with a proposal in the President’s budget to sell off BPA’s assets.