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resources over thermal plsuits. Seventh. Columbia Basin fish and wildlife damaged 

 by the hydroelectric system aire to be preserved and restored through a beisin-wide 

 program promulgated by the Council. 



Finally, the Act guarantees public involvement in all significant resource 

 decisions. 



The Act directs that Bonneville should continue its traditional role of 

 tremsmitting and marketing power, but also ceirry out additional responsibilities. 

 Under the Act. BPA must acquire all necessarv-^ energy resources to serve utilities 

 who choose to apply to BPA for wholesEile power supplies. The Act contains checks 

 and balances to insure that all customers of BPA are treated equitably. 



BPA remains accountable to the people of the Pacific Northwest for the actions it 

 takes to meet the needs of residents and industry. By creating a regional planning 

 council consisting of two members from each of the four Northwest states to develop 

 a regional plan. Congress provided a regional decision making system. It emphasizes 

 local control of resource development emd power planning. 



Here are the major provisions of the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning 

 and Conservation Act: 



The Northwest Power Planning Planning council was formed with 

 representation from each of the states. The Act directed the Council to 

 draw up a plan for meeting the electriccd needs of the region at the lowest 

 possible cost. The plan must give highest priority to cost-effective 

 conservation, treating it as a resource preferable to all other means of 

 responding to demand for electricity. Renewable sources of energy must be 

 given next highest priority in the region's power planning, to the extent 

 that they are cost-effective ranking ahead of conventional thermal 

 generating resoiu-ces. Among thermal options, fuel -efficient methods of 

 producing energy, such as cogeneration. must be given priority. 



BPA became responsible for meeting loads of customers and managing the 

 regional electrical sj^tem to achieve the purposes of the Act relating to fish, 

 system efficiency, and ejqperimental projects. The plan adopted by the 

 Council, which is amended periodically, is the basis for BPA's actions in 

 meeting loads of its customers. Congress exercises budget review of all 

 proposed BPA expenditures. If BPA decides to acquire resources not 

 consistent with the Council's plan, specific Congressional approval is 

 required prior to amy commitment by BPA BPA must give priority to cost- 

 effective conservation and renewable resources in meeting the region's 

 needs. BPA rriay also purchase the generating capabiUties of new thermal 

 projects, but only after determination that they are required in addition to 

 all cost-effective conservation and renewables that can be achieved or 

 developed in time. Such projects must also be found reliable emd 



