Flathead Electric blasts dam removal proposal
Newly leaked settlement documents revealing that the Biden Administration would consider the removal of four lower Snake River dams has drawn public scrutiny from Flathead Electric Cooperative officials who contend that the potential loss in hydropower production would lead to rate hikes for its members.
“It has the potential to impact folks in Western Montana enormously, and frankly we are gravely concerned about the outcomes of this process,” said Katie Pfennings, the community relations manager at Flathead Electric Cooperative.
The dams are within the Columbia River basin, which provides 60-70% of the electrical needs in the Pacific Northwest, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The basin is 258,000 square miles, with Hungry Horse Reservoir at the top of the system.
Become a Subscriber!
You have read all of your free articles this month. Select a plan below to start your subscription today.
Already a subscriber? Login
