McMorris Rodgers schedules hearing to safeguard Lower Snake dams
U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers to Question Fate of Lower Snake River Dams
In an upcoming congressional hearing, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., plans to challenge federal officials on the future of the four Lower Snake River hydroelectric dams in Washington state. McMorris Rodgers, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, expressed her concerns about the Biden administration’s alleged collaboration with special interest groups to remove the dams.
“The Columbia River System and the Lower Snake River dams are the beating heart of the Pacific Northwest, yet that hasn’t stopped the Biden administration from apparently colluding with special interest groups to lay the groundwork to remove them,” said McMorris Rodgers.
“We are deeply disturbed by the blatant disregard for the enormous hydropower, irrigation, and navigation benefits these dams provide, as well as a willingness to ignore the voices of those who depend on the dams the most. It’s past time for full transparency from the Biden administration,” she added.
The four dams are located in McMorris Rodgers’ district and that of fellow Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse. Both representatives have criticized closed hearings by federal officials and selected groups involved in a proposed lawsuit settlement that could potentially breach the dams to restore fish populations.
Hearing Details
The upcoming hearing, titled “Exposing President Biden’s Plan to Dismantle the Snake River Dams and the Negative Impacts to the United States,” will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 10 a.m. EST. It will be live-streamed on the House Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security website.
Witnesses confirmed to appear include representatives from the federal Council on Environmental Quality, U.S. Department of Energy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Bonneville Power Administration. There will also be a second panel with stakeholders, and a representative from the Army has been invited to testify.
The four dams – Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite – are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and are located between the Tri-Cities and Lewiston, Idaho.
In 2001, the National Wildlife Federation and the State of Oregon sued the National Marine Fisheries Service for failing to protect endangered salmon in the Columbia and Snake rivers. Last month, the Biden Administration announced an agreement involving Washington, Oregon, and four tribal nations, proposing a 10-year stay in legal proceedings to implement a plan to boost fish numbers, potentially including dam breaching. The proposal is awaiting a ruling from Judge Michael H. Simon, with opposition from the state of Idaho.
The White House also introduced the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative, which has raised concerns from Rep. Dan Newhouse. He believes it could render the region’s dams ineffective, catering to the demands of extreme environmental activists who fail to understand the dams’ importance and the consequences of their proposed actions.
Last year, Rep. Newhouse and Rep. McMorris Rodgers introduced the Northwest Energy Security Act to protect the dams, with a companion bill produced in the Senate by U.S. Senators Jim Risch, R-Idaho, and Steve Daines, R-Montana.
What are the concerns surrounding the Biden administration’s approach to the future of the Lower Snake River dams, and how does it allegedly collaborate with special interest groups?
En’s Plan to Destroy the Pacific Northwest,” will take place on June 10th, 2022, in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The purpose of the hearing is to address concerns about the Biden administration’s approach to the future of the Lower Snake River dams and its alleged collaboration with special interest groups.
The Lower Snake River dams, which include Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite, play a crucial role in the Pacific Northwest’s economy. They provide hydropower, irrigation, and navigation benefits that support various industries and communities in the region. However, there have been ongoing discussions about the potential removal of these dams to restore fish populations in the area.
U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, as the chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has taken a strong stance against the potential removal of the dams. She has expressed her concerns about the Biden administration’s alleged collusion with special interest groups to lay the groundwork for their removal. McMorris Rodgers believes that this approach disregards the significant benefits provided by the dams and ignores the voices of those who depend on them the most.
Joining McMorris Rodgers in this fight to preserve the dams is fellow Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse, whose district also encompasses the four dams. Both representatives have criticized closed hearings conducted by federal officials and selected groups involved in a proposed lawsuit settlement. They believe that these closed-door discussions limit transparency and exclude the input of stakeholders who would be most affected by the dam’s removal.
The upcoming hearing aims to shed light on these concerns and expose the Biden administration’s plan to potentially destroy the Pacific Northwest’s economic and infrastructural backbone. Members of Congress and invited witnesses will have the opportunity to question federal officials about their collaboration with special interest groups and the potential consequences of removing the dams.
It is crucial for the Biden administration to address these concerns and engage in open and transparent discussions with all stakeholders involved. The impacts of removing the Lower Snake River dams cannot be taken lightly, as they have far-reaching consequences for the economy, environment, and communities in the Pacific Northwest.
As the hearing approaches, it is hoped that meaningful discussions and considerations will take place to ensure the long-term sustainability and vitality of the Pacific Northwest’s economy while also addressing the environmental concerns related to fish populations. It is vital that all voices and perspectives are heard, and decisions are made based on a balanced and comprehensive understanding of the issue at hand.
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