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public forum in which to participate in decisions about energy, fish and wildhfe. These 

 important decisions no longer are made behind closed doors. Before the Council was 

 created, involved parties often had to resolve differences in court or take them to 

 Congress. 



In the 1970s, when the Northwest Power Act was contemplated, long-range 

 energy forecasts by utilities predicted the region would need as many as 27 new power 

 plants. Plants were built well before they were needed and at tremendous cost to the 

 region's power consumers. 



Under the Act, Bonneville became responsible for meeting the loads of its 

 customers and managing the regional electrical system to achieve the purposes of the 

 Act relating to fish and wildlife, system reliability, efficiency and research into new 

 sources of electricity. The Act says Bonneville must give priority to cost-effective 

 conservation and renewable resources in meeting the region's demand for power. 

 Boimeville may purchase electricity from new thermal projects ~ power plants fired by 

 coal, nuclear energy or natural gas ~ but only after determination that they are needed 

 in addition to all cost-effective conservation and renewable resources that can be 

 achieved or developed in a timely manner. Bonneville spreads the benefits, costs and 

 risks of developing new resources among all of its customers through its rates. 



In exchange for giving Bonneville greater authority in acquiring new resources, 

 the Act gives the Northwest states ~ through the Council ~ a check-and-balance role 

 on Bonneville's new authorities. For example, if the Council finds that any proposed 

 major resource acquisition is not consistent with its power plan, Bonneville must secure 

 congressional approval before acquiring the resource. 



Under the Act, the Council's principal duties are to prepare and oversee the 

 implementation of the power plan and the fish and wildlife program and to involve the 

 public in those processes. The Act contemplates that Bonneville and other federal 

 agencies will implement the Council's plan and program. However, no part of the Act 

 limits the Council to planning only, and several sections specifically require us to 

 oversee the manner in which the plan or program are implemented. 



As a result of the Council's planning and oversight responsibilities, a creative 

 tension has existed between Bonneville and the Council ever since the Council adopted 

 its first power plan in 1983. Our statutory duties in the Northwest Power Act clearly 

 include overseeing implementation of the power plan and fish and wildlife program. 

 Congress never contemplated that the Council would prepare its energy plan and fish 



