481 



SlATr or VVASHINTION 



DCI'AKIMCNI OF COMMUNITY DCVUOPMI NT 



Ninth H Colunibiit HaiMmf, r.O. Ho» 41300 • (Hympil, Withlnglmi 9A5O4D.?R0 • Udk) 7SV2lmi 



July 12. 1993 



The Honorable Peter DeFazio 



Chairperson, Bonneville Power Administration Task Force 



House Committee on Natural Resources 



1324 Longworth House Office Building 



Washington, D.C 20515 



SubJecU BPA's New Dlrectlon~'nie Business Model 



Dear Congressman DeFazio: 



As chairperson of the Bonneville Power Administration Task Force, we ask that you pay 

 special attention to how the proposed new business direction for Bonneville may cripple 

 the low-income weatherization program. 



Please include these comments in your official record of the July 12, 1993, Task Force 

 Public Hearing in Portland, Oregon. We are distressed by the new business model for 

 BPA. Although laudable for cost-efficiency, this new business model may diminish 

 BPA's responsibility to provide socialty-respoasible programs, such as the low-income 

 residential weatherization program. 



'In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next 

 seven generations." This is the Great Law of the Hau De No Saunee-a standard noted 

 by the acting BPA Administrator at the 1991 Programs in Perspective meeting. In less 

 than two years, BPA has changed from quoting a Native American adage promoting 

 long-term social and environmental commitment, to proposing a market-driven, cosl- 

 consdous business model 



If BPA can succeed in pursuing a businesslike model without sacrificing long-term and 

 socially-responsible values, we applaud its efforts. Market forces, however, rarely result 

 in equitable programs to the elderly, physically challenged, or to families with young 

 children. Homelessness, unemployment, or inability to pay utility bills are often the 

 direct result of market forces. BPA, as a government entity, has the responsibility to 

 temper the brutality of market forces with fairness through special progranu. 



