$34 Billion Price Tag To Replace Snake River Dams, Study Estimates

A previous study estimates it could cost more than $34 billion to replace the reliable electricity generated by the four Lower Snake River dams—raising new questions as Washington moves forward with an additional $800,000 taxpayer-funded study on the issue. The Washington State Department of Commerce is currently seeking proposals to examine what it would take to replace the dams' clean energy production if they were ever removed, despite there being no active federal effort to remove the dams following the Trump administration's decision to halt the Biden administration's proposal. Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center says his organization's 2022 analysis estimated a $34 billion cost to replace the dams' electricity while maintaining the same level of reliability. He argues that figure would likely be much higher today because of inflation and does not include the costs of expanding transmission infrastructure, replacing river transportation with trucks or rail, or other associated infrastructure. Supporters of the dams argue they provide reliable hydropower, move agricultural products efficiently through the Columbia-Snake river system and help reduce transportation costs. The latest debate focuses on whether Washington should spend additional taxpayer dollars studying a proposal that remains under federal control. The discussion continues over energy reliability, infrastructure, transportation and taxpayer spending surrounding the future of the Lower Snake River dams. #SnakeRiverDams #Hydropower #EnergyPolicy #WashingtonPolitics #WashingtonNews #TaxpayerAccountability #Infrastructure #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus