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New Survey Finds Majority of Northwest Residents Support Lower Snake River Dams and Hydropower by Staff Big Country News, December 21, 2021

VANCOUVER, WA - Amid the regional debate over hydropower, new survey data shows strong majorities of Pacific Northwest residents support hydropower and the carbon-free energy provided by the lower Snake River Dams in Eastern Washington. Conversely, Washington Governor Jay Inslee recently issued a policy directive aimed at potentially "replacing the benefits of the four lower Snake River dams".

The survey, produced by DHM Research, an independent and nonpartisan research firm, was conducted from July 26 to August 3, 2021, and polled a diverse range of 1,200 residents from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, with a likely margin of error of +/- 2.8% overall and +/- 5.0% when broken down by state. To ensure an inclusive and accurate data pool, the poll targeted residents of all backgrounds and accounted for differences in age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, and geographical location.

Only 17 percent of participants who participated in the survey opposed the dams and 23 percent remain undecided. When asked directly about plans to breach the lower Snake River dams only a minority--29%--said they would support breaching the dams.

The analyzed data reflected that residents are mainly concerned about increased electricity costs, loss of a carbon-free energy source, and the agricultural impacts associated with dam removal.

"Today's survey results ultimately demonstrate that Pacific Northwest residents understand the integral role hydropower plays in supporting our clean energy grid and fish recovery and our policy leaders should take note," said Kurt Miller, executive director of Northwest RiverPartners. "With national inflation now hitting a 30-year high and soaring energy prices, affordable access to hydropower is more critical than ever when it comes to achieving our region's ambitious decarbonization and economic justice goals."

Related Pages:
Poll Shows Washington Voters Choose Salmon Over Dams by Staff, Spokesman-Review, 3/31/18
Washingtonians say They'd Take Salmon Over the Dams, Poll Finds by Eric Barker, Lewiston Tribune, 3/31/18

Related Sites:
Survey Methodology