the film forum library tutorial contact

Hydropower is Not the Answer by Jack Alkire Idaho Mountain Express, January 3, 2024

In response to the editorial of Brad Little and Scott Bedke in the Dec. 20, 2023, Idaho Mountain Express, I offer the following:

1. Like you, I am a senior citizen. Many, many years ago, I thought that "hydropower" was the "cat's meow," so to speak.

2. I no longer think that. Why? Simply stated, it is an antiquated and geographically-constrained technology: it does not "scale" sufficiently to help solve our energy challenges; and its detrimental effects on the environment are well-documented.

3. You suggest your approach can save salmon and steelhead. In fact, the best evidence is that your approach hurts the fish run. (Congressman Mike Simpson seems to agree with me.)

4. You cite the prospect of "structural repairs and improvements" and "river operations to improve fish passage" in the dams. Really? The BPA and the Army Corps have been working on these for decades. To what effect? Declining fish runs.

5. The four lower Snake River dams, combined, produce less than half of the energy produced by Grand Coulee, and they provide no irrigation benefits. So why do we need them?

6. Ah, you lament that we need more energy. Well, yes, we do. But hydropower is not the answer and will never be the answer. Conservation is a partial answer, but at the end of the day we will need to have ... (yes, perish the thought) nuclear.

Related Pages:
Ditch Secret Backroom Dam Breaching Deals. Let's Focus on Common Ground Brad Little & Scott Bedke, Capital Press, 12/15/23
Dam Breaching is Bad for Idaho by Rep. Scott Bedke, Idaho State Journal, 7/8/22
Speaker Bedke, My Door is Always Open by Rep. Mike Simpson, Bonners Ferry Herald, 3/18/21
Simpson Needs to Provide Answers on Dams Proposal by Rep. Scott Bedke, Idaho Mountain Express, 2/24/21
Scott Bedke Suggests Mike Simpson Has Flipped His Lid by Bill Colley, Fox News Radio, 2/15/21

Columbia River System Operations
Environmental Impact Statement

The increased mix of renewables could substantially change the regional import and export of power, for instance, by changing hourly demands, but it is uncertain how these demands would be met. Meeting demand would depend on where future resources are brought online. There may be a need for reserves that the hydro system may attempt to provide. There would likely be an increased need for within day/within hour hydropower generation flexibility (unless there are other sources of base load generation, which is unlikely because of the move toward a carbon-free energy sector in the region). This could adversely affect Bonneville's ability to meet its overarching obligation to assure an adequate, efficient, economical, and reliable power supply to its firm power customers.

(Cumulative Effects: No Action Alternative, Chapter 6 page 6-72)