• Northwest RiverPartners’ Statement on Columbia River System Operations Ruling

    Vancouver, Washington–February 27, 2026– Northwest RiverPartners and our coalition of utilities, ports, and community organizations continues to urge regional leaders to convene a collaborative, science-based process to protect and support Columbia River salmon populations and sustain our region’s multi-benefit hydropower system – the largest source of affordable, clean energy in the Pacific Northwest. On February…

  • “Collaboration Over Litigation” Encouraged as February 6 U.S. District Court Date Looms for Future Columbia River System Operations

    A diverse coalition representing millions of electric customers, businesses, farmers, river operators, and workers prepares to vigorously support the Northwest’s hydropower system in federal court, while renewing calls for regional leaders to join them in finding sustainable solutions that put collaboration over litigation. This coalition includes the Public Power Council (PPC), the Inland Ports and…

  • Pacific Northwest residents worried about electricity costs more than climate change, according to recent polling

    New survey shows people concerned about rising energy costs and strongly support our region’s hydroelectric system Vancouver, Washington–December 8, 2025–Pacific Northwest residents are feeling the pressure of rising energy costs, according to recent opinion polling commissioned by Northwest RiverPartners. In a region with historically affordable energy, residents across Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho expressed concerns…

  • Court proposals by plaintiffs would drive up electricity prices, increase blackout risk for millions of people in the Pacific Northwest

    Northwest RiverPartners urges regional leaders to reject renewed litigation and work together to protect salmon and maintain affordable, reliable hydropower  Vancouver, Washington–October 14, 2025–Proposals by plaintiffs, including the State of Oregon, will increase electricity costs for millions of people in the Pacific Northwest, if approved by a federal judge. Northwest RiverPartners and a coalition of…

  • Flawed 2023 Columbia Basin Settlement Agreement withdrawn, opening door for sustainable solutions

    Northwest RiverPartners calls for transparency and clear commitment to clean, reliable energy that supports residents, businesses and the environment Vancouver, Washington–June 12, 2025–The Trump Administration announced today it would withdraw from the 2023 Federal Columbia River Power System settlement, known as the “12/14 Agreement.” The agreement was reached by the Biden Administration and the Six…

  • Victor Valerio joins Northwest RiverPartners as Outreach & Research Manager

    Vancouver, Washington–April 28, 2025–Northwest RiverPartners selected Victor Valerio as its first Outreach & Research Manager. Victor will start with NW RiverPartners on April 28, 2025. Prior to joining NW RiverPartners, Victor served as the Southern Regional Representative for former U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers from 2017 until she retired from the House of Representatives in…

  • Pacific Northwest residents maintain strong support for hydropower, recent polling shows

    Vancouver, Washington–February 3, 2025–Public support for hydropower remains high across the Pacific Northwest, according to new community research commissioned by Northwest RiverPartners. The October 2024 survey, administered by research firm DHM, found that three in four Pacific Northwest residents support hydropower produced by dams across Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Residents say they consider hydropower…

  • New Studies Will Test Flexibility of “Simpson Concept” for Salmon & Dams

    Last month, US Representative Mike Simpson (R – Idaho) surprised many Northwesterners when he announced a $33.5 billion concept to breach… Read the full article: New Studies Will Test Flexibility of “Simpson Concept” for Salmon & Dams

  • Northwest RiverPartners Names Austin Rohr Deputy Executive Director

    Vancouver, Washington–November 18, 2024–Northwest RiverPartners has selected Austin Rohr as its first deputy executive director. Rohr has been with Northwest RiverPartners since May 2019, serving as the media and communications manager. “Austin earned this critical leadership position through his hard work, compelling vision for serving our members, and track record of creative innovation,” said Clark…

  • Misinformation Undermines Bipartisan Efforts To Protect Millions of Northwest Energy Customers From Rising Costs

    Vancouver, Washington–August 20, 2024–Northwest RiverPartners, alongside a broad coalition of Pacific Northwest-based organizations representing millions of hardworking people in the Northwest, developed bipartisan legislation to maintain the federal government’s commitment for the Bonneville Power Administration to spend no more than $300 million in additional funds to implement the 12/14 agreement. These additional dollars come atop…

  • U.S. House Acts To Protect Millions of Northwest Ratepayers

    U.S. House Committee Takes First Step to Cap Customer Costs, Keep Federal Commitments in “12/14 Agreement” Vancouver, Washington–June 28, 2024–Today, members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Energy and Water passed legislation that caps the costs of the use of additional Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) electric customer funds to support fish and wildlife recovery efforts…

  • Statement From Northwest RiverPartners on Establishment of Columbia River Task Force, Report From Interior Department

    Vancouver, Washington–June 18, 2024–Today, Northwest RiverPartners released the following statement in response to the Biden Administration’s creation of a new interagency Columbia River Task Force and a report released by the Department of the Interior on federal hydropower in the Pacific Northwest. “As river operations remain dynamic, utilities, farmers, businesses, river transportation, and other users…

  • Clark Mather Selected As Northwest RiverPartners’ Next Executive Director

    The Northwest RiverPartners Board of Directors has selected Clark Mather as the association’s next executive director. Mather will officially take over leadership responsibilities on April 1. Heather Stebbings, who has served as interim executive director since December 1, 2023, will assist in the transition process. “We’re excited to welcome Clark to the organization, as he…

  • Agreement Threatening Northwest Clean Power Moves Forward Despite Objections

    Uncertainty for public utility customers remains a significant concern The risks related to the future of Columbia River System Operations (CRSO) remain high as the US District Court of Oregon accepted an agreement negotiated in secret by the U.S. Government and anti-hydropower plaintiffs. Northwest RiverPartners (NWRP), which represents nearly 3 million electric utility ratepayers, continues…

  • Secret Agreement Between US Government & Anti-Hydro Plaintiff Groups Ignores the Public and Invites More Litigation

    The US Government Commitments were drafted in the shadows, rely on salmon recovery reports drafted by plaintiffs, ignore climate change, and will only invite more litigation and uncertainty. Vancouver, Washington–December 14, 2023–Today, despite public concern, the U.S. Government (USG) and plaintiffs to the litigation regarding Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) operations filed a settlement…

  • Secret Agreement Between US Government & Anti-Hydro Plaintiff Groups Represents “Greatest Threat” for the Region

    Proposed US Government Commitments undermine clean energy and climate goals, negatively impact the region’s economy and food production, raise electricity rates on struggling families, fail to address climate-friendly transportation, and threaten grid reliability Vancouver, Washington–November 29, 2023–Earlier today, the US Government’s “Commitments in Support of the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative and in Partnership with the…

  • Salmon vs. Dams Suit Stays on Pause Until December 15

    Parties to the long-running salmon versus dams lawsuit on the Snake and Columbia rivers have reached a tentative but still confidential agreement of sorts that could lead to a multi-year timeout in litigation. Read the full article: Salmon vs. Dams Suit Stays on Pause Until December 15

  • New Secret Plan Proposed in Snake River Dam Lawsuit

    The U.S. government and plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the management of the 4 lower Snake River dams say they have developed a “package of actions and commitments” that they hope to present in court by December 15.

  • Lower Snake River Dam Removal Still Possible As Talks Continue

    Read the full article: Lower Snake River Dam Removal Still Possible As Talks Continue

  • Statement From Northwest RiverPartners on Latest Legal Delay

    Today, the United States Government announced that it would be producing for comment a draft package of “actions and commitments” that it developed in secret with plaintiffs’ groups. We have been provided with no other details other than that we will have 30 to 45 days of “engagement” in a “conferral” process to review the…

  • Stebbings Named Northwest River Partners Interim Executive Director

    Northwest River Partners has named Heather Stebbings its interim executive director until a permanent replacement for the departing Kurt Miller is found. Read the full article: Stebbings Named Northwest River Partners Interim Executive Director

  • Northwest RiverPartners Names Interim Executive Director

    Stebbings will manage transition to organization’s next leader Vancouver, Washington–October 24, 2023– Northwest RiverPartners today announces Heather Stebbings as interim executive director starting November 15th. Stebbings will overlap with outgoing Executive Director Kurt Miller to ensure a smooth transition. Miller recently accepted a role leading the Northwest Public Power Association. Most recently, Stebbings served as…

  • Kurt Miller To Depart Northwest RiverPartners, Board Forming Hiring Committee

    Northwest RiverPartners’ Executive Director Kurt Miller has been selected as the new Executive Director of the Northwest Public Power Association, based in Vancouver, Washington. NWPPA provides value-added services, such as training, conferences, communications, and government affairs support to its more than 150 public power members and more than 300 associate members. “I am truly honored…

  • IBEW Electrical Union Backs Keeping Snake River Dams

    At IBEW Local 77, we take pride in being the vibrant hub of skilled electrical workers, consistently driving progress and innovation in our field. Read the full article: IBEW Electrical Union Backs Keeping Snake River Dams

  • Ag Stakeholders: Does Biden Salmon Announcement End Dam Breaching Worries?

    Agricultural stakeholders predict federal mediation in a lawsuit over the four lower Snake River dams isn’t likely to lead to a call for breaching them. Read the full article: Ag Stakeholders: Does Biden Salmon Announcement End Dam Breaching Worries?

  • Major Announcement Means Bright Future for Salmon and Clean Energy

    A salmon homecoming long in the making, and proof that tribes and not-for-profit utilities can work together collaboratively. That message was at the heart of the announcement between the U.S. Government, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, and the Spokane Tribe of Indians is another important step in demonstrating hydropower…

  • Biden Administration Agrees With Northwest RiverPartners on Importance of Region’s Carbon-Free Electricity, Agriculture & Salmon

    Vancouver, Washington—September 27, 2023—Today, after 13 months at the negotiating table, the Biden Administration shared the next step in the process of seeking solutions in balancing our region’s energy, climate, salmon recovery, resiliency, food security, and economic goals as they relate to the ongoing operations of the Federal Columbia River Power System. In a Presidential…

  • White House Launches Salmon Recovery Effort — Without Promising Dam Removal

    President Joe Biden ordered federal agencies on Wednesday to use their power to help imperiled salmon and steelhead trout in the Columbia River and its tributaries, but he stopped far short of tribes’ and environmentalists’ demands to remove the dams blamed for decimating the fish populations. Read the full article: White House Launches Salmon Recovery…

  • ‘This Is Historic’: Biden Orders Whole-of-Government Effort To Restore Salmon in Columbia, Snake Rivers

    President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed a landmark memorandum ordering federal agencies to do their part to restore salmon runs in the Columbia and Snake rivers and honor the U.S. government’s treaty obligations to Northwest tribes. Read the full article: ‘This Is Historic’: Biden Orders Whole-of-Government Effort To Restore Salmon in Columbia, Snake Rivers

  • Biden Memo Calls for ‘Sustained National Effort’ To Restore Salmon Runs, but Doesn’t Advocate for Dam Breaching

    President Joe Biden signed a memorandum this morning calling for a “sustained national effort” to honor commitments to the Nez Perce and other tribes by restoring Snake and Columbia river salmon and steelhead to healthy and abundant levels. Read the full article: Biden Memo Calls for ‘Sustained National Effort’ To Restore Salmon Runs, but Doesn’t…

Contact: Aaron Toso, (253) 495-1296, Aaron Toso email

About Northwest RiverPartners

Northwest RiverPartners (NWRP) is a not-for-profit, member-driven organization. We represent not-for-profit, community-owned utilities across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Nevada. We also proudly represent farmers, ports, and businesses across the region that support clean energy and low-carbon transportation.

NWRP is focused on raising awareness about how the Northwest’s hydropower system betters communities and the natural environment, and we encourage science-based solutions that help hydropower and salmon coexist and thrive.