The Columbia River Treaty and its Future Robert W. Cromwell, Jr. Seattle City Light

The Columbia River Treaty Power Group … is a forum for electric utilities, industry associations, and other entities that depend upon power produced by Columbia River generating plants to engage in the United States’ evaluation of whether to continue or terminate the Columbia River Treaty with Canada.

Who? Alcoa Inc. PNGC Power Avista PacifiCorp Benton PUD Chelan PUD Clark Public Utilities Douglas PUD Eugene Water and Elec. Brd. Franklin PUD Grant PUD Grays Harbor PUD Idaho Power NW Requirements Utilities PNGC Power PacifiCorp Pacific NW Utilities Conf. Comm. Portland General Electric Public Generating Pool Public Power Council Puget Sound Energy Seattle City Light Snohomish PUD Tacoma Power WA Public Utility Districts Assn. Western MT Gen. & Transm. Coop.

Three Principles Payment to Canada for downstream power benefits should not exceed one-half of the actual incremental power benefit achieved through coordination. Payments for Columbia River flood control should be the responsibility of the taxpayers of the United States. Each of the entities providing the Canadian Entitlement return already have robust environmental mitigation plans funded by utility customers. Therefore, an equitable correction to the Entitlement should not lead to an increased mitigation requirement.

If these principles cannot be met, the United States should provide notification of termination by 2014.

Thank you! Questions? robert.cromwell@seattle.gov