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General Manager to Testify Before U.S. Senate Subcommittee
Culbertson to Address Hydropower and Impacts of Climate Change
June 6, 2007
Ephrata, WA – Tim Culbertson, Grant County PUD general manager, traveled to Washington D.C. to speak before the Subcommittee on Water and Power on Wednesday, June 6.
Representing the National Hydropower Association, Culbertson addressed water supply issues related to climate change and hydropower. Washington state Senator Maria Cantwell is a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and chair of the Water and Power Subcommittee. Culbertson was invited to participate as part of a panel of individuals representing organizations with significant concerns regarding declining U. S. water resources.
“The benefits of hydropower must be recognized as we anticipate the impacts of unchecked climate change,” maintains Culbertson. “With no greenhouse gas emissions, this clean, renewable resource plays a significant role in combating global warming. We must recognize its value and accelerate the work necessary to protect this source of 75 percent of current U.S. renewable energy generation.”
The Subcommittee on Water and Power provides oversight and legislative responsibility for irrigation, reclamation projects, power marketing, the impact of energy development on water resources, groundwater resources, hydroelectric power and energy-related aspects of deepwater ports. Water legislation, which has been a topic of concern for leaders of the larger Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for some time, has been an issue addressed recently both locally and at the national level.
With the passage of Initiative 937, Washington state utilities are only allowed to count improvements to existing hydro projects or irrigation projects as new renewable energy sources. As the general manager for Grant PUD, Culbertson oversees the Priest Rapids Project, which consists of two hydroelectric developments on the Columbia River – Wanapum and Priest Rapids. Together Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams make up one of the nation’s largest hydropower developments.
“In this national discussion on climate change, I believe it is a mistake to discount existing hydro projects,” says Culbertson.
With the capacity to produce 2,000 megawatts of clean, renewable electricity, the Priest Rapids Project produces enough power to supply a city the size of Seattle. An independent poll conducted by Tim Hibbitts of Davis, Hibbitts and Midghall, Inc. in late February found that 86 percent of residents in the Northwest also consider hydropower to be a renewable resource, and 58 percent identify hydroelectricity as the most sensible source of power for the region.
Culbertson’s testimony highlights these regional concerns at the national level. With more than 30 years experience in operations and wholesale power transactions in both public and private sectors, Culbertson brings a unique perspective to the discussion of water and energy.
“Not only are we fortunate to have someone with Tim’s qualifications managing the utility, but it is also a credit to have his representation at a U S. subcommittee hearing,” stated Grant PUD Commission President Randy Allred. “His ability to present our issues on a global scale gives us a significant voice in this critical discussion.”
Culbertson’s testimony, as well as the entire hearing, will soon be accessible via the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources website at http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=1635
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Grant County Public Utility District is a Washington state municipal corporation that began electric service in 1942. Owned by the people it serves, Grant PUD generates and sells electricity to Grant County residents and millions of customers throughout Central Washington and the Pacific Northwest. The Priest Rapids Project, comprised of Priest Rapids and Wanapum Dams, produces nearly 2,000 megawatts of clean, renewable and reliable electricity – enough to supply a city the size of Seattle. A leader in science based technology; Grant PUD is committed to finding effective measures for the protection, mitigation and enhancement of salmon, steelhead and other natural and cultural resources.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sarah Morford
(509) 754-6633 / smorfor@gcpud.org |
