Bill · H.R. 626· House(119-HR-626)
Northwest Energy Security Act
- Introduced
- 1/22/2025
- Last activity
- 1/23/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- Sponsored by
- Dan Newhouse
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the ``Northwest Energy Security Act,'' directs the operation of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS). It instructs the Secretaries of the Interior, Energy, and Army to operate the system according to the reasonable and prudent alternative described in the September 2020 Supplemental Opinion. However, it allows the Secretaries to amend that opinion if they determine it is necessary for public safety, grid reliability, or if certain requirements are no longer warranted. Additionally, the bill prohibits any actions or studies that would restrict electrical generation at FCRPS dams or limit navigation on the Snake River unless specifically authorized by a future Federal statute.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this give the federal government more power?+5
The bill grants Secretaries significant discretion to amend environmental opinions without new legislation.
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?+4
The bill protects the continued and expanded electrical generation capacity of existing hydroelectric dams.
Would business owners be better off under this?+3
Securing electrical generation and river navigation provides a predictable environment for energy and maritime businesses.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-5
The bill allows Secretaries to amend environmental opinions at their discretion, potentially reducing protections.
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?-2
By preventing actions that might restrict electrical generation, the bill may impede transition efforts toward different environmental standards.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Grid Reliability and Safety: The bill allows the Secretaries to amend the Supplemental Opinion if an amendment is necessary for public safety or transmission and grid reliability (Section 4(a)(1)).
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Protection of Electrical Generation and Navigation: The bill prevents structural modifications, actions, or studies that would restrict electrical generation at F限りFCRPS hydroelectric dams or limit navigation on the Snake River in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho, unless authorized by a subsequent Federal statute (Section 5(a)).
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Maintenance and Improvements: The bill ensures that the Secretaries can still conduct operation and maintenance activities or make capital improvements needed for authorized project purposes (Section 5(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Deviation from Environmental Standards: The Secretaries are granted the ability to amend the Supplemental Opinion at their sole discretion if they determine certain requirements are no longer warranted (Section 4(a)(2)).
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Restrictions on Future Changes: The bill creates a requirement that any proposal to restrict electrical generation or limit Snake River navigation must be specifically authorized by a new Federal statute enacted after this Act, which may prevent certain future actions (Section 5(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+3Good For Rural Residents+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Small Business Support+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+4Improves Public Transit+1Improves Environmental Protections-5Reduces Carbon Emissions-2
- 1/23/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 1/22/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Cliff BentzRepublican · Oregon
Michael BaumgartnerRepublican · Washington
Russ FulcherRepublican · Idaho