84 



million and 85 to 95 FTE per year -- costs that they wovild not be liable for under 

 true government corporation status. However, such status is not a panacea for 

 all that ails BPA. There are plenty of government corporations whose examples of 

 efficiency and customer service we would not want to foUow — for instance the 

 U.S. Postal Service or Amtrak. 



The kurgest concern that PNGC has with efforts to institute BPA government 

 corporation status relates less to the current proposal than to what provisions my 

 be added along the way. It is vital that any move to make BPA a government 

 corporation not alter in any way the deUcate balsmce of control mechanisms set out 

 in the 1980 regional power act. Some have suggested that the Northwest Power 

 Planning Council could become BPA's board of directors or that new independent 

 borrowing authority could make BPA autonomous from Congress. We do not 

 believe that these would constitute helpful changes and, if proposed, we would 

 strenuously object to them. 



Consistent with their oversight responsibilities, Congress has essentially served 

 as the defacto board of directors for Bonneville up to now — a relationship that 

 PNGC believes makes good sense. By working with the Council, Bonneville, and 

 Congress, Bonneville's customers and other regional participants have strived to 

 make the Regional Act work. There is great concern that an open legislative 

 process aimed at giving Bonneville government corporation status could evolve 

 into a free for aU debate on measures that would upset this delicate balance of 

 control over regional energy policy. We do not need a national debate on 

 structure and control issues at a time when we are working hard together within 

 the current framework to resolve key issues regionally. 



Consequently, how you proceed with legislation to institute government 

 corporation status for Bonneville is at least as importsint as the proposal itself. 

 For this reason, PNGC remains only cautiously supportive of the government 

 corporation concept. In this regard, we look to you, Mr. Chairman and Task 

 Force members, to act as a buffer between a sensible move to government 

 corporation status and those who would seek to reopen the epic battles over 

 control issues . 



Conclusion 



Whether we see debt buyout and government corporation proposals this session or 

 down the road, please know that PNGC and its member utility systems are always 

 willing to sit down and be helpful in discussing common sense ways of better 

 meeting the needs of Northwest ratepayers . On behalf of the approximately 

 500,000 people served by PNGC member systems, I would like to thank you for 

 inviting me here to testify today. 



Knowing that this is the last proceeding this Task Force will hold , I would like 

 take this opporturity to thank the members, and especially the Chairman whose 

 district includes my home town, for helping to shed light on the many challenges 

 facing the Northwest power community . As you have found , there is no shortage 

 of issues facing us; however, there also is an opportunity to bring additional 

 diversity and reliability to the Northwest energy picture. We appreciate your 

 help in allowing us to recognize and take advantage of those opportunities . 



