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 $300 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
Reestablishing a more balanced Canadian Entitlement provision within the Columbia River Treaty should be a priority for the United States. In a recent letter to the President, the Power Group outlines our request to provide input before any draft agreement in principle is reached.
Prioritizing Treaty Negotiations
As President Biden prepared for meetings in Canada, every member of the Northwest’s regional congressional delegation sent a letter to the President requesting he makes negotiations of the Columbia River Treaty a top agenda item during his discussions with the Canadian Prime Minister.
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.