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S 966 118th Congress Senate Water Resources Development Alternative and renewable resources Dams and canals Electric power generation and transmission Idaho Lakes and rivers Montana Oregon Washington State

Northwest Energy Security Act

Introduced: March 23, 2023 Introduced by: Risch, James E. Republican · Idaho See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 23, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Mar 23, 2023
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Northwest Energy Security Act

This bill requires Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) operations to be consistent with a specified decision. The system includes dams in the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest.

Specifically, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Bonneville Power Administration, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must operate the FCRPS consistent with the Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision dated September 2020. The preferred alternative outlined in that decision would allow specified dams in the lower Snake River to remain in place.

The decision may be amended if each agency determines that (1) changes are necessary for public safety or electrical grid reliability, or (2) certain requirements in the decision are no longer necessary.

Further, the bill requires statutory authorization for any structural modification, action, study, or engineering plan that (1) restricts FCRPS hydroelectric dam generation; or (2) limits navigation on the Snake River in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho.

What's happening now March 23, 2023

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Republican 2