You are overpaying for clean energy that belongs to the U.S.
The United States government estimates that due to the Canadian Entitlement, U.S. electric consumers are overpaying relative to the benefits of the Columbia River Treaty by about $150 million per year.
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What is the Columbia River Treaty?
The Columbia River is the fourth largest river in North America. In 1964, the Columbia River Treaty was enacted between the U.S. and Canada for the mutual development of the Columbia River power and flood control systems.
Who is the Columbia Treaty Power Group?
The Columbia River Treaty Power Group is advocating for a fair and equitable outcome of a modernized treaty on behalf of electric rate payers throughout the Northwest.
Why it matters
Clean, affordable hydropower produced in the U.S. is transferred to Canada and then purchased back by the U.S. during peak seasons. As a result, electric customers are overpaying in the hundreds of millions of dollars per year.
Recent News
We appreciate the efforts to ensure positive language into the House WRDA bill that has also been adopted by the Senate. These efforts will go a long way to spur the current bilateral negotiations toward a favorable conclusion which treats fairly the interests of both countries.
No Time to Delay
In September 2024 the flood control provisions of the Columbia River Treaty automatically change. At this time Canada will no longer be obligated by the Treaty to provide primary flood control on the Columbia River. A dramatic change which will require the U.S. to pay Canada whenever the U.S. “calls upon” Canada for flood control operations.