PRESS RELEASE:

Walden Statement on Budget Proposal Increasing Rates for Northwest Power Users

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR), co-chair of the bipartisan Northwest Energy Caucus and a member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality as well as the House Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power, today issued the following statement in response to the Administration’s new budget proposal that would negatively affect northwest ratepayers with increased costs for power:

“It makes absolutely no sense to artificially and substantially jack up power rates, especially in a part of the country that has suffered from other misguided federal land management policies costing tens of thousands of jobs throughout rural areas in the last 20 years.

“I will use every tool at my disposal to put a stop to the BPA rate increase and will bring this critical issue up personally with Energy Secretary Bodman this week when he comes before the Energy and Commerce Committee.

“While this power rate proposal is a misguided one, there are many aspects of the proposed budget I welcome, including the President’s continued support for responsible forest management practices outlined in the Healthy Forest Restoration Act, for the citizens in the Klamath Basin whose livelihood was dramatically impacted when their water was unfairly shut off in 2001, and for health care in underserved areas through expanded support for the effective community health center program.”

Congressman Walden represents the Second Congressional District of Oregon, which includes 20 counties in southern, central and eastern Oregon. He is a Deputy Whip in the House leadership structure and a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce as well as the Committee on Resources.

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