the film forum library tutorial contact

Energy Plan would Affect Northwest by Katherine Pfleger, Associated Press Seattle Post-Intelligencer - May 18, 2001

WASHINGTON -- President Bush's energy plan unveiled yesterday called for a host of proposals that would directly affect the Northwest -- from pipeline safety to expanding natural gas supplies to streamlining hydropower dam relicensing.

But while the plan was praised by Republicans, some of the region's Democrats weren't impressed. Bush, they say, isn't providing the region with any short-term relief.

"It does nothing to lower our prices this summer," said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.

Among the 105 recommendations outlined in the plan is a call for increasing natural gas and oil supplies, and streamlining the licensing process to build the pipelines. That's consistent with some efforts in the Northwest, where 29 natural gas-fired generating plants have been proposed to cover an energy shortfall anticipated even before California deregulation heated up energy markets.

Bush also called for revival of nuclear power, long-term efforts to expand the power grid and new technology to improve efficiency.

Democrats raised concerns about the environmental implications of increased oil and gas exploration. And they criticized the focus on long-term solutions such as new plants, which won't be online this summer and winter when the power crunch is expected to intensify.

Many Democrats have encouraged price caps on skyrocketing power prices, a tactic opposed by the administration.

"The energy crisis is raging in the West like a forest fire that is out of control," said Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. "But the White House is ignoring the flames."

Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., said the message of Bush's plan is: "Let's drill. Let's dig. Let's burn. Let's profit, profit, profit."

Washington Gov. Gary Locke, a Democrat, said the Bush proposal does not place enough emphasis on conservation and alternative energy sources. The president's plan also seems more designed to prevent blackouts in California than to protect businesses in other Western states, he said.

"He is saying to the people of all the Western states, we have to live with high energy prices for five to seven years," Locke said.

Northwest Republicans defended the proposal as a solid approach to fixing a problem that has been mounting over about two decades.

"We all agree that we are all concerned about the rapid rise in prices, but the way (Republicans and Democrats) address those are in different ways," said Rep. Jennifer Dunn, R-Wash.

The president's plan will benefit the Northwest because it encourages consumer conservation and expansion of the energy infrastructure so that California can get power from areas other than the Northwest, she said.

The Northwest is experiencing its worst drought since 1977. Utilities are asking customers to conserve energy. Large industrial power users, including the region's power-intensive aluminum companies, are scaling back or shutting down. Farmers have been asked to reduce irrigation.

Also in the Bush energy plan:

• Streamlining regulatory approval for energy facilities, including hydroelectric dams. Generally, Northwest lawmakers support fixing a sometimes unwieldy process, which can take more than two decades. "As long as we don't throw out the environmental laws," Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said.

• Working with Congress on pipeline legislation that improves safety, protects the environment and strengthens emergency preparedness. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., said if he doesn't see action in two weeks, "then all I am hearing is words."

• Expanding Bonneville's borrowing authority to expand transmission lines, if warranted. "Just having this mentioned in the president's plan is a big deal," Steve Wright, director of the BPA, said. "Transmission has to be part of the solution."