PR 41 05
BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FRIDAY, April 8, 2005
MEDIA ADVISORY
We're not [snow] packed for summer
PORTLAND, Ore. -
With continuing rain and some reservoir conditions improving in the region, it's easy for the public to think that the "dry year" problems are behind us. We urge the Northwest media to continue keeping the public well informed that this is indeed a dry year, despite the rainy weather. There are three important facts to remember.
- First, while reservoirs for drinking water and watering lawns may approach comfortable levels, this doesn't mean the hydropower system that supplies electricity will. The hydropower system relies primarily on snowpack, which remains low - the snowpack estimate as of April 1 for the Columbia Basin is 64 percent of normal.
- Second, even with the current helpful rains, there is no way that the hydropower system can recover to average levels. This will be the sixth low water year in a row. The latest "early bird" forecast from the Northwest River Forecast Center has the Columbia Basin January-July runoff at 70 percent of normal. If that holds, it would be the 11th lowest January-July runoff in 77 years of record keeping.
- Third, the problem is not one of adequacy. There is ample electricity. The problem is "at what cost." When generating utilities have no surplus to sell and when they must buy expensive power on the market to augment their supply, future electricity bills could rise.
Using energy efficiently is always a good idea, and especially now during a long-term dry spell. The Bonneville Power Administration, along with other utilities, Northwest states and public interest groups, is launching a campaign to foster efficient use of energy, which is the best way to keep dry conditions from soaking pocketbooks.
Submitted for distribution on 04-08-2005 at 9:39 AM
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BPA News
