the film forum library tutorial contact

Snake River Dams a Dividing Line in Central WA Congressional Race by Jordan Allyn Yakima Herald-Republic, August 2, 2024

One dividing line in the race for U.S. House in Central Washington's 4th Congressional District is hydropower dams in the Columbia River basin.

In a major agreement last year, the Biden Administration promised $1 billion more for salmon and clean energy, but stopped short of removing four dams on the Lower Snake River, a long-running and controversial goal of tribes and environmental groups.

The Biden Administration said it was not making a judgment on whether to breach the dams, nor does it have the authority to do so. Congress, ultimately, has the final say.

It's a complicated issue. The warming climate challenges salmon survival and removing the dams would help prevent extinction by allowing the fish to swim to cooler, higher altitudes and have a better chance at survival. The hydroelectric dams, though, are a carbon-free, and thus more climate-friendly energy source than fossil fuels. Removing the dams would require finding an alternative energy source, that could still be sustainable, and a solution for barges that use the river to transport crops in the region.

In June, the Yakama Nation shared its thoughts on a follow-up Interior Department report that acknowledged the harmful impacts of the federal hydroelectric system to Indigenous people in the Columbia River Basin.

Chairman Gerald Lewis noted funding backlogs for maintenance programs and hatchery operations.

"The Yakama Nation has always spoke for the water, fish, and cultural resources that cannot speak up for themselves," he said in a statement. "We will know that we have been heard when the hydro-system agencies start prioritizing their commitments to salmon recovery and our tribal fishers."

Lindsey Keesling, chair of the Yakima County Democratic Central Committee, said she is amazed at the work tribes have done to find alternative energy sources. She worries people shy away from dam removal out of a general fear of change. "We have to adapt to changing environments and be resilient. And I think that that's what the tribes are trying to do," said Keesling.

The Yakima County Republican Party platform rejects the reality of human-caused climate change. The platform highlights the Snake River dams as a good, clean source of renewable energy.

Incumbent Republican 4th District U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse introduced a package of nine bills to protect the dam infrastructure in March. Republican challenger Tiffany Smiley has criticized Newhouse for not being aggressive enough on the issue.

Other candidates in the Aug. 6 primary election include Republican Jerrod Sessler, Democrat Barry Knowles, Independent Benny 'BG3' Garcia, and "MAGA Democrat" John Malan, all of whom want to keep the dams in place.

Democrat candidates Mary Baechler and "Birdie" Jane Muchlinski support dam removal.

Below are the 4th District congressional candidates' specific positions on the Snake River dams and climate change, in reverse alphabetical order:

---

Tiffany Smiley
Republican, Pasco

On July 11, Smiley posted photos of her visiting the Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association on Facebook. "I look forward to partnering with you in Congress to protect our dams and block any attempts from liberal politicians to breach them," she wrote.

She has critiqued the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in the past for lack of transparency regarding dam removal plans.

During her 2022 Senate campaign, Smiley said climate change needs to be solved at the local rather than federal level.

---

Jerrod Sessler
Republican, Prosser

Sessler wants to keep the dams in place. "We need power. Americans need power. Humans need power. Cheap power leads to human flourishing," said Sessler. On his website, he includes a video about the dams, proposing plans to expand the original infrastructure project, building spurs along the canals of the eastern portion of the Columbia River. "The salmon will be fine," he said in the video.

Sessler does not believe that humans affect climate change. "I personally feel like people sound very foolish when they talk about reducing carbon in the atmosphere," said Sessler.

---

Dan Newhouse
Republican, Sunnyside

Newhouse aspires to protect both the dams and salmon population. "I want to further my efforts to solidify (the dams') existence," Newhouse said, adding "while at the same time making sure that salmon can continue to thrive and coexist." He has said in the past that the 2020 Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement provides a blueprint for a peaceful coexistence between the salmon and dams.

"We have challenges in climate change. Agriculture is leading the way," said Newhouse. He sees farmers as environmental stewards whose interests lie in the preservation of land, water, and air. His solutions for reducing carbon emissions revolve primarily around advances in farming technology.

---

"Birdie" Jane Muchlinski
Democrat, Richland

Muchlinski grew up in Eastern Idaho and has lived along the Snake River for her entire life. She recognizes that change regarding the dams could be unsettling for people. But she also thinks change is necessary. She noted, as well, that increasing issues of drought could be addressed with new infrastructure.

To reduce carbon emissions, Muchlinski plans to encourage younger generations to use more public transportation. "Our young people need clean air, clean water, and a climate that allows them to live a long time," said Muchlinski.

---

John Malan
MAGA Democrat, Grant County

The Snake River dams are not a top priority for Malan's campaign. But he agrees with Sessler, Newhouse, and Smiley, saying "I don't think we should close any dams." He has worked at a couple of dams and believes they "are an important way that Washington State generates electricity."

Malan believes reducing carbon emissions is necessary but thinks global warming is a government manufactured problem to increase taxes.

---

Barry Knowles
Democrat, Covington and Yakima

Knowles doesn't support removing the dams right now. He worries as the state moves away from natural gas and more people use electric vehicles. "We cannot all function on electricity, and if you start removing our sources of electricity, then we have a problem."

Knowles believes that climate change exists but thinks the issue has been blown out of proportion. "The most important thing to me is that this nation be energy independent," he said. He thinks that if oil drilling is monitored by the EPA in the U.S, its environmental impacts can be better managed.

---

Benny "BG3" Garcia
Independent, Grandview

"I will fight to keep those dams opened," Garcia said. He, like most of the other candidates running, wants to keep the dams as they are. He cites their role as an energy source as the top concern.

When it comes to the rest of America's energy, Garcia advocates for more oil drilling. He thinks it's important to have clean water and green jobs but is reluctant to believe scientists' expected consequences of climate change.

---

Mary Baechler
Democrat, Yakima

In thinking about the Snake River dams, Baechler puts the interests of the tribes at the forefront. She worked for the Yakama Nation as a planner in the Office of Economic Development. She trusts the Yakama Nation's research and wants to find ways to replace the dams with alternative energy solutions that keep the salmon safe.

"And with climate change coming, I don't think people realize how much every bit of the fisheries and food processing is going to be impacted," said Baechler.