58 



ues, that is, it does not just last 2 years and we are kind of back 

 in the soup again. 



What are some of your thoughts or some of the points that come 

 to mind, or some of the areas that you are working on to help as- 

 sure us that there will be a little more certainty, because one thing 

 we do not want is on-again-off-again ratepayers. 



The users need to know with some certainty what their projected 

 power bills are going to be, and if it looks like this is just 2 years, 

 and whoops, we are back up again, it is not going to give people 

 very much comfort. 



So what are some of the things you are thinking of that give us 

 some comfort that this is going to be longer than 2 years? 



Ms. RiVLlN. We want to work with you over that 2-year period 

 to see what the experience is. Certainty that cannot be guaranteed 

 in this business. As you know, even the costs under the agreement 

 we have laid out today are somewhat uncertain. 



These costs depend on rainfall, water flows, and all kinds of 

 things. But we clearly want to work with you to see what the expe- 

 riences of the first 2 years show us. We also want to work with you 

 to see the extent to which Bonneville is able to achieve the cost 

 savings that they are projecting here, and to see what the power 

 cost projections look like 2 years from now. 



Senator Baucus. Well, it is clear that salmon recovery is going 

 to be a major issue with us 



Ms. RiVLiN. Yes. 



Senator Baucus [continuing]. Over the long term. 



Ms. RiVLiN. For a long time. 



Senator Baucus. What if Judge Marsh, for example, reaches a 

 decision that the NMFS' biological opinion is insufficient, that it 

 must be greater salmon recovery efforts, which presumably will 

 cause additional costs? 



Can you assure us that you will work to find a solution that still 

 maintains the status quo over the next 2 years, at least? 



Ms. RiVLIN. I can absolutely assure you we will work with you. 

 We will work with you on whatever the situation is. But that is a 

 very speculative question. We do not know what the judge might 

 do or what the implications might be. 



But the administration is very eager to work with the whole Pa- 

 cific Northwest delegation, and the citizens of the Pacific North- 

 west, to balance the values and interests and come to the right so- 

 lution. 



Senator BAUCUS. Well, I appreciate that, and I, again, com- 

 pliment you and the rest of the administration for a good solution. 

 Thank you. 



Ms. RiVLlN. Thank you. 



Senator Baucus. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Senator HATFIELD. Thank you, Senator Baucus. 



Senator Johnston. 



STATEMENT OF HON. J. BENNETT JOHNSTON 



Senator JOHNSTON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I 

 have an interest in this, mainly because I think it shows the un- 

 workability of the Endangered Species Act. We are spending, I 

 think, total resources, in the neighborhood of about $500 million a 



