U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and Gov. Jay Inslee released a draft report last week estimating it would cost as much as $27 billion to replace the energy, irrigation, recreation and other benefits provided by the four lower Snake River dams.

That’s a lot of money — but it probably still understates the true value of the dams, which helped build the Northwest economy and make Washington a leader in green energy production.

In a statement released the day of the draft report, AWB President Kris Johnson said that clean, renewable and affordable hydropower is one of our region’s primary competitive advantages and the state will need it more than ever to keep pace with a growing population plus the transition to a clean-energy economy.

“Sources like wind and solar need the steady baseload power provided by the dams to ensure an affordable and reliable power grid,” Johnson said. “Replacing hydroelectric power with fossil fuel power would be moving in the wrong direction.”

The same day the draft report on the dams was released, U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse introduced legislation to protect the dams. The Tri-City Herald has more on the report and the response from our congressional delegation.

Contact Government Affairs Director Peter Godlewski to learn more and get involved.