Columbia REA votes to support dams

Resolution is passed supporting continued operation of Snake River dams

SNAKE River—The Columbia REA Board of Directors has voted unanimously in favor of a resolution in support of the continued operation of Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite dams, according to an Aug. 7 company media release.

“The clean, carbon-free electricity that is produced by these dams plays a critically important role in supporting the needs of our members, said Columbia REA Board President Greg Knowles.

The dams provide jobs and a wealth of consistent, reliable, on-demand energy. Breaching the dams also would complicate fulfilling the requirements of a clean energy bill that the Washington Legislature passed this year, as hydroelectric energy created by the all the Snake and Columbia river dams accounts for more than 87 percent of Columbia REA’s energy. The Snake River dams generate nearly 11 percent of the hydropower supplied to the entire Pacific Northwest region, the release states.