Republicans Accuse White House of Lack of Transparency and Ignoring Stakeholders
A hearing is being held by Republicans to examine the Biden administration’s actions targeting four federally operated dams located on Washington’s Snake River. Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican from Washington state, criticizes the White House for leaving out important voices of those who depend on the river system the most. McMorris Rodgers accuses the administration of pursuing an activist agenda without proper scientific data to back it up.
Last Month’s Agreement and Controversies
Last month, the White House reached an agreement with environmental groups and tribes, who had sued the federal government to breach the dams. The agreement includes $1 billion for wild fish restoration and a plan to operate the dams by tribes. However, the White House did not commit to a breach plan, stating that it would require congressional approval. Republicans, energy industry groups, and agriculture groups strongly criticized the agreement, arguing that it paves the way for the dams to be breached. They also accused the White House of engaging in secret negotiations without public input.
Arguments for and Against the Dams
Environmentalists argue that the dams on the Snake River have caused harm to migratory patterns. However, local stakeholders, including energy industry groups and agriculture groups, advocate for the dams’ continued operation. They highlight the dams’ clean energy production, which provides about 8% of the state’s electricity, and their role in facilitating important agriculture transportation.
Republican Actions and Criticisms
Republican lawmakers, including McMorris Rodgers and Congressional Western Caucus Chair Dan Newhouse, introduced a bill to prohibit federal funds from allowing or studying the breach or alteration of the Snake River dams. They accuse the Biden administration of disregarding the importance of the dams to the Pacific Northwest and a clean energy future. At the hearing, a second panel is expected to include testimony from industry leaders who have criticized the administration’s actions, highlighting the potential threat to electric reliability and the lack of stakeholder input in the decision-making process.
