In Search of Civility | Part 5 | Salmon Wars: Breaking Down Barriers

Congressman Mike Simpson is the top Republican on the House Energy and Water Appropriations subcommittee. This subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Power Marketing Administrations, including the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). BPA is increasingly strained by the $600 million spent annually for fish costs and increased water discharges to ensure salmon viability. Now, BPA’s power rates are creeping up and becoming uncompetitive. Fast forward three years, and Congressman Simpson has developed a potential solution that required unwinding the complicated fabric of the economic and societal benefits of the four Lower Snake River dams. ​