150 



The case against Tenaska, on its own weaknesses, I think, is a 

 compelling one, but it's largely beside the point. 



No fossil fuel-fired generating resource can be regarded as con- 

 sistent unless and until Bonneville shows that it's doing everything 

 in its power to acquire higher priority resources. That's not a se- 

 quential mandate. They don't have to get all the conservation first, 

 but they have to show that they are willing to use the resources 

 at their disposal to get conservation when it's available, and they're 

 not doing that. 



We believe in the Comicil wholeheartedly and we've supported 

 the plan with every means at our disposal. But if the Council gives 

 a green light to Tenaska now, Bonneville will acquire fossil fuel- 

 fired power while cost-effective conservation goes big. Frankly, as 

 damaging as that will be to the region, I think the greater cost will 

 be the confirmation, in all our minds, that the Council lacks the 

 will to stand up for implementation of its own plan. 



Along with our written testimony, you have our comments on 

 fuel conversion that economist Jim Lazarre presented on our behalf 

 to Congressman Wyden last month and we defer to and support the 

 comments of our colleague, Ralph Cavanagh, on the subject of envi- 

 ronment£il costs. 



But before concluding, I want to ofTer a few final thoughts. We 

 really do have a fatefiil choice before us now. We can depart with 

 the tradition that makes our power system the envy of the world 

 by betting our future on fossil fuels and by squandering our exist- 

 ing renewable supplies or we can renew our commitment to our 

 winning strategy by squeezing more work out of present supplies 

 and prudently developing renewables, new renewables and efficient 

 cogeneration. 



The missing ingredient isn't a good policy, a good plan or good 

 people. We have all of those in abundance. The missing ingredient 

 is our firm determination to see the plan implemented and to insist 

 on results. We're committed to joining you in an unrelenting re- 

 gional campaign to fulfilling the bright promise of the Regional Act, 

 a promise that we made over a decade ago now and I hope that 

 we're going to embark on a path to firmly fulfill that promise now. 



Thank you very much. 



[Prepared statement of Mr. Golden follows:] 



