My hope is that we can avoid another WPPSS or spotted-owl- 

 type fiasco by making sensible energy and environmental choices 

 today. That is the purpose of this hearing and of the many hear- 

 ings we will be holding during the next six months. 



In closing, I do have one caution for members of the panel. The 

 BPA is in the midst of a formal rate case proceeding. The task force 

 has no intention of influencing the Administrator's decision in the 

 present rate case. I urge every member of the task force to exercise 

 care in questioning or pressuring the Administrator. At the same 

 time, this panel has a legitimate oversight function which I fully 

 intend to exercise. 



As we move through this, if I believe one of the members of the 

 panel has gone beyond the bounds of question, I will caution the 

 member, and if the Administrator himself, in responding or being 

 asked to respond, has a concern, he should express it, and we will 

 deal with it at that time. 



At this point, I would like to recognize other members of the task 

 force and see if they have any opening statements. 



Mr. Sharp. 



STATEMENT OF HON. PHILIP R. SHARP 



Mr. Sharp. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. 



I am very pleased to be a part of the task force and work under 

 your leadership. You, I have learned from previous experience, 

 have already been very active and given a great deal of leadership 

 to concerns about energy supply and consimier issues in your part 

 of the country, and those of us who are not from that part certainly 

 respect that leadership. 



I was personally involved in the legislation, the Northwest Power 

 Act, when it was passed. I am not sure that it is wise for one to 

 claim any involvement now or not, I don't know. We will find out 

 as we go through this. So I am very much looking forward to work- 

 ing with you. Obviously, this is of profound concern to the people 

 who are served by the Bonneville power system, but obviously it 

 also has major implications for some of the surrounding States, 

 California in particular. Also it has ripple effects throughout the 

 entire electric utility industry in this country. So these issues are 

 not to be taken lightly, and I appreciate your effort. 



Mr. DeFazio. I am pleased to have the gentleman, particularly 

 with his experience in the writing of the Act, and certainly with his 

 work on the Energy and Commerce Committee, he will be very 

 complementary. I am glad to have him here. 



I would like to recognize my colleague from Oregon, Bob Smith. 



STATEMENT OF HON. ROBERT F. SMITH 



Mr. Smith. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Hardy, welcome. 



I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this first meet- 

 ing. I think it will be productive to have oversight responsibility 

 over a very difficult time for Bonneville Power Administration. 



I want to compliment Mr. Hardy's short but very successful term 

 as a leader in the Bonneville Power Administration programs, and 

 what a difficult time since he has arrived. We have got a horrible 

 problem with the drought in the upper Canadian regions which 



