California commission recommends ripping out Klamath Dams

[jpak]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003982261_webdams29.html

Commission analysts urged Oregon, California and Washington to deny any requests from PacifiCorp to increase electricity rates to help pay for upgrading Klamath dams.

A Monday letter signed by California Energy Commission executive director B.B. Blevins asks the public utility commissions in each of the three states to authorize cost recovery only for decommissioning the four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River. Indian tribes, fishermen and conservation groups want the dams removed to open up spawning habitat for struggling salmon runs.

"The Energy Commission has a responsibility not only to provide reliable energy supplies, but to provide for the environment," said Chris Tooker, an energy policy analyst for the California Energy Commission. "It takes that balancing mandate seriously. The whole reason we are involved in the Klamath issue is to help educate the participants."

PacifiCorp is seeking a new license to operate the J.C. Boyle, Copco 1, Copco 2 and Iron Gate dams on the Klamath for the next 30 to 50 years. Though the dams only produce enough power for 70,000 households, PacifiCorp says it's power that does not emit greenhouse gases.

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[moonlady0623]

1. You don't get greenhouse gases from wind or solar either

I grew up in that area and I can tell you there is enough sunlight and wind to power the local households no worries. That is probably not 70,000....oh wait they send it south...doesn't the sun shine down there too? I wish these politicians would get their heads out of their stock portfolios long enough to let some air get to their brains.

[XemaSab]

2. Hard to get much further south in PacifiCorp's turf...

I think the furthest town south they supply electricity to is Dunsmuir, in Siskiyou County, which is one county south of Klamath County, where the dams in question are.