Darkness to Dawn? Generating and Conserving Electricity in the Pacific Northwest: A Primer on the Northwest Power Act

The Pacific Northwest's energy future is being shaped today by two institutions. The first is the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council ("Planning Council") which was created by the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act ("Northwest Power Act"). The other institution is the Bonneville Power Administration, ("BPA"), created forty-six years ago by Congress. Together the Planning Council and BPA are making crucial electrical energy decisions affecting the region's economy and environment.

This article is intended to familiarize the reader with the structure of the region's electrical energy supply and demand as that structure has been altered by the Northwest Power Act. Part II of the article will discuss BPA's power sales obligations, which are imposed by statute and contract. Part III will consider what basic power resources BPA already has to meet its obligations. Part IV will examine BPA's options for meeting or reducing its contractual obligations.