Bill · S. 182· Senate(119-S-182)
Northwest Energy Security Act
- Introduced
- 1/22/2025
- Last activity
- 1/22/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- James Risch
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Northwest Energy Security Act directs the operation of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) according to a specific "reasonable and prudent alternative" found in a September 2020 document. This document is known as the Supplemental Opinion. The bill allows the Secretaries of the Interior, Energy, and Army to amend the Supplemental Opinion under specific conditions. Such amendments are permitted if they are deemed necessary for public safety, transmission, or grid reliability, or if certain requirements are no longer warranted. Additionally, the bill prohibits structural modifications or plans that restrict electrical generation or navigation on the Snake River unless authorized by a future federal statute.
Yes· 3 of 9
Does this give the federal government more power?+4
The bill grants the Secretaries broad discretion to amend previously established environmental operation agreements.
Would business owners be better off under this?+3
The bill provides certainty for energy and navigation-based businesses by prohibiting restrictive modifications.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+3
The preservation of hydroelectric generation and river navigation supports the primary economic drivers of rural Northwest regions.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-5
The bill allows Secretaries to amend environmental operational standards for the purpose of grid reliability and safety.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Grid Reliability and Safety: The bill allows Secretaries to make amendments to the Supplemental Opinion if they determine it is necessary for public safety or transmission and grid reliability (Section 4).
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Protection of Power Generation: The bill prevents any structural modifications, studies, or engineering plans from proceeding if they would restrict electrical generation at any FCRPS hydroelectric dam, unless a new federal statute is passed (Section 5).
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Protection of River Navigation: The bill prohibits actions that would limit navigation on the Snake River in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho without specific authorization from a federal statute (Section 5).
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Facility Upkeep: The bill clarifies that the Secretaries maintain the authority to perform operation, maintenance, and capital improvements necessary for the authorized purposes of FCRPS facilities (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Reduced Consistency with Environmental Planning: By allowing the Secretaries to amend the Supplemental Opinion at their own discretion, the bill permits operations that deviate from the "reasonable and prudent alternative" established in the September 2020 document (Section 3 and Section 4).
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+3Good For Farmers+2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Small Business Support+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+3Reduces Fossil Fuel Production+2Improves Public Transit+1Improves Environmental Protections-5
- 1/22/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
John BarrassoRepublican · Wyoming
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana