In an effort to recover salmon and steelhead runs in the Columbia River basin, Washington Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and Gov. Jay Inslee announced today a joint state and federal effort to determine the impacts and benefits of breaching the four lower Snake River dams.

In reviewing Columbia Basin habitat and hatchery projects, a science review panel’s directive that sponsors draw linkages among projects drew the attention of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s Fish and Wildlife staff at a recent meeting, with staff telling Council members it was an inappropriate step during the current review process

In a preliminary report on Columbia River basin habitat and hatchery projects, a panel of scientists briefly stepped out of its role as reviewer and offered to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council and the Bonneville Power Administration some tips on how future project reviews should be conducted.

After more than three years of review and analysis, the Bonneville Power Administration has decided to join the Western Energy Imbalance Market in March 2022, saying the move will increase BPA revenues through sales of surplus power.

Starting next week, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council will be holding on-line public hearings in each of the four Northwest states on the draft 2021 Northwest Power Plan released by the Council last week.

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council this week approved release of a draft 2021 Northwest Power Plan for public review and comment that calls for continued reliance on existing hydropower and remaining coal and gas plants, among other sources, to meet the region's energy needs during a transition phase.