Treaty Timeline

Two decades before 1961

The two countries carry out negotiations for what a potential Treaty might entail.

1961: The Treaty is signed and ratified

The Columbia River Treaty calls for the two countries to implement the Treaty

1964: The 60-year agreement is implemented

It guarantees flood control protection through 2024 and includes power provisions to share the downstream power benefits.

2009-2013

Review of the Treaty- The U.S. Entity overseeing the Treaty, analyzes the Treaty

2012: Power Group is established

Regional utilities and other organizations and associations join to create the Power Group to advocate for a fair and equitable outcome of a modernized Columbia River Treaty.

2013: The U.S. Entity completes the Regional Recommendation

The recommendation concerning the future of the Columbia River Treaty is forwarded to the U.S. Department of State.

2014: Opportunity to provide 10 years’ notice

The Treaty has no specific end date, but either country can terminate most of the provisions of the Treaty with at least 10 years’ written notice.

2018-2023

18 rounds of negotiations on a modernized Treaty held between the two countries.

2021: IIJA includes support for transmission and recalculated Treaty

A provision in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 aims to expand transmission to enhance the bilateral transfer of renewable electric generation between the two countries, contingent on the CE value calculation being at least equal to the actual power value to the U.S.

2024: An Agreement in Principle to Modernize the Treaty is announced

The U.S. and Canada agree on the key elements for a modernized Treaty regime.

2024 and beyond

Additional details are still needed, including a timeline for when the full text of the agreement in principle will be available, what elements will require advice and consent from the Senate and what timeline that will entail, and when additional details of the tribal provisions be available, and others.

(c) 2024 Columbia River Treaty Power Group

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