Over 130 Northwest Utilities Sign Long-Term Wholesale Power Contracts With Bonneville Power Administration
January 9th, 2026
The Bonneville Power Administration has executed new long-term wholesale electric power contracts with more than 130 Northwest public utility customers this fall.
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Judge Sets Oral Arguments Over Preliminary Injunction Request That Would Alter Columbia/Snake Dam Operations For Salmon, Steelhead
January 9th, 2026
U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Simon on Dec. 19, 2025, released his order that sets the date for oral arguments in the case for the afternoon of Feb. 6 in Portland.
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As Dispute Over Fish Accord Funds Lingers, BPA Says It Hopes To Continue Talks On Long-Term Funding For Fish/Wildlife Projects
December 19th, 2025
In a continuing disagreement between the Yakama Nation and the Bonneville Power Administration over the expiration of the Columbia Basin Fish Accords and carryover funds, the power agency says it had hoped to continue talks that would extend some form of the Accords long-term.
Yakama Nation Requests BPA Release $50 Million In Unspent Fish Accords Funds, Supports Hatchery, Habitat Projects
December 5th, 2025
The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation publicly took a step this week towards recovering $50 million in Columbia Basin Fish Accord funds from the Bonneville Power Administration after the federal power marketing agency had allowed the Accords to expire at the end of September.
BPA’s Columbia Basin Fish Accords (Salmon Recovery Projects) With States, Tribes Expire; Future Agreements, Use Of Carryover Funds Uncertain
November 22nd, 2025
The Bonneville Power Administration allowed the long-running Columbia Basin Fish Accords with tribes and states to expire Sept. 30, 2025 and it’s unclear if future agreements that would benefit salmon and steelhead recovery in the basin will materialize. Although BPA says it is open to discuss future Accords agreements with tribes, so far that has been more aspirational than substantive, at least according to one tribe.
Lawsuit Filed To Stop BPA From Joining Southeast Power Market, Says Violates NW Power Act, Salmon Recovery
July 18th, 2025
Northwest nonprofits have challenged in federal court the Bonneville Power Administration’s decision to join a Southeast power market and sell Northwest hydropower to customers as far away as Louisiana, saying the change would result in higher energy bills, higher transmission costs, reduced access to renewable energy and threaten the agency’s commitment to salmon and steelhead recovery.
BPA Seeks Major Changes To Council Fish/Wildlife Program, Wants Goals ‘Narrowly Tailored’ To Hydro Influence
July 18th, 2025
In its recommendations for change to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s 2014/2020 Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program, the Bonneville Power Administration says the Program’s estimates and goals are beyond the power marketing agency’s statutory responsibility.
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Trump Rescinds Biden’s Executive Order Aimed At Restoring Columbia Basin Salmon, Steelhead Runs
June 13th, 2025
The Trump administration issued a memorandum this week that disrupts Columbia River basin salmon and steelhead recovery by rescinding a 2023 agreement that included the federal government, two states and four Columbia River tribes and funded that effort with nearly $1 billion.
2025 Columbia/Snake River Pikeminnow Sport Reward Fishery Opens, Last Year’s Top Angler Earned $164,260
May 5th, 2025
The 2025 Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Fishery opened May 1, offering anglers the chance to earn cash while helping protect vulnerable salmon and steelhead in the Columbia and Snake rivers. The fishery will be open daily through Sept. 30 at most locations.
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Oregon Senators Demand Answers From Trump On BPA Cuts, Impact On Electric Reliability
February 25th, 2025
U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both Oregon Democrats, said this week they are demanding President Trump answer questions about his administration’s deep job cuts at the Bonneville Power Administration and “how those reckless and financially ludicrous decisions add up to undermine the dependability of the electric grid for Oregon and the entire Pacific Northwest.”
Less Water, Dry Weather Hitting Bonneville Power’s Bottom Line, First Quarter Review Forecasting Revenue Loss
February 25th, 2025
Higher power purchase expenses due to low stream flows and dry winter weather have resulted in the Bonneville Power Administration forecasting agency net revenues of negative $44 million, $114 million below the agency target of $70 million.
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Agencies Taking Another Look At 2020 EIS Detailing Impacts Of Columbia/Snake River Federal Hydrosystem On Imperiled Salmonids
December 22nd, 2024
Citing new information and changed circumstances, two federal agencies are reopening this week their 2020 final environmental impact study for operations at 14 Columbia/Snake river federal hydroelectric dams and are now seeking public input. The final EIS guides the dams’ impacts on salmon and steelhead listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.
BPA Planning Budget For Next Year For Columbia Basin Fish/Wildlife Projects Set At $302 Million, An Increase Over Last Two Years
December 9th, 2024
The Bonneville Power Administration plans to spend next year $41 million more in fish and wildlife projects in the Columbia River basin than it actually spent in 2023, and five million more than what was budgeted for 2024, for which actual spending is not yet available.
BPA Releases 2024 Financial Results Showing Net Revenues At Negative $132 Million, Took A Hit With January Cold Snap
November 18th, 2024
The Bonneville Power Administration reported its end-of-year financial performance results for fiscal year 2024 at its Quarterly Business Review, showing negative revenues and missed targets.