196 



dence often found in free markets as valuable. However, their goals are 

 low rates and custoner independence, not free narkets. The market is only 

 a nieans of attaining the goals. 



It would i-e extrerrcly helpful if EPA arc others would be ircre careful 

 in neintaining this logical separation. And in fact, the PSC Workino crcup 

 i»as initialiy coonizant cf this wher it [>osed its first, "Overarchinc" 

 issue: "V(r^.t is the purpose of the Power Sales Contract?" Hoviever thi.': 

 nxDst furjdatientelly inportant question seems to have disappeared frop 

 everyone's screens. Sumnaries of discussions, for exaiiiple, tifically start 

 with questior; Al (Vihat is EPA's role as develcjier . . . ) . Indeetl, the scoping 

 olternatives no loncer even nertion this as an issue- 

 But this is the most inj-ortant issue. All other questions are just 

 about the best mear.s of attaining our goals. NCAC therefore sufjgests th<-:t 

 the scoping analysis proceed in a two-step process. First analyze the 

 fossible different goals of the contracts, and then evaluate the impacts or 

 these goals of each inplementation option . 



V,1-:at ore the different possible ooals which should bt= examined? 

 NCAC submits that BFA's goals and objectives are easy to identify. And, 

 they're not subject to debate or up for negotiation. The puriX5ses are 

 clearly identified in the Pacific Northv/est Electric Power Planning and 

 Conservation Act of 1980. 

 "Such pcrptwes are: 



(1) to encourage, through the unique opportunity provided by th« 

 Federal Coiurtia River Power St.-^tem— 



(A) conservation and efficiency... 



(E) the ceveif^jrert o^ rtntvoitle rc.-ources. . . ; 



(2) to assure... an adequate, efficient, pconomical and reliable 

 (<)wer supply; 



(3) to provide for the participation ar<? consultation of the 

 States, local governnvents, coni-uners, custoirern, users of the 

 Columbia River System (includir>g Federal and State fish arKi 

 wildlife agencies and appropriate Indian tribes), ar.d the public 

 at large. . .; and. . . 



