Columbia treaty may affect hydropower future
PORTLAND, OREGON - Future power production in the Northwest may depend partly on whether Canada and the United States agree to extend the Columbia River Treaty.
The 1964 treaty with Canada authorized construction of 3 large dams in British Columbia to protect against regional flooding and boost electricity generation.
Recently in Portland, the Bonneville Power Administration briefed the Northwest Power and Conservation Council on the first phase of an international review of the treaty.
The initial phase includes technical studies about possible power and flood control dam operations after 2024 with and without the treaty.
The treaty has no expiration date, but either country can request that it be terminated after 2024, 60 years after its ratification.
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NDP takes aim at approval of SaskPower 8 per cent rate hike
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The Crown electrical utility’s rates will increase four per cent this fall, and another four per cent in 2023. According to a government news release issued Thursday, the new rates will result in an average increase of approximately $5 on residential customers’ bills starting on Sept. 1, 2022, and an additional $5 on April 1, 2023.
“The decision to increase rates is not taken lightly and came after a thorough review by the…
