The Clean Energy Transition Must Prioritize Equity

The important, and often controversial, lower Snake River dams debate continues to stoke conversation and political interest. The Biden administration is currently weighing in on the role of the LSRD and perhaps signaling their demise, while a report commissioned by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash concluded that the cost of replacing the energy provided by the LSRD could cost up to $27.2 billion - a move that they determined is not yet feasible.

Disclosure statement: Humaira Falkenberg is a Power Resources Manager at Pacific Public Utility District of Pacific County, where she manages and oversees all wholesale power supply costs for the utility. She also serves as Vice Chair of Northwest RiverPartners, an organization whose mission includes educating the public and policymakers “about the important role of hydroelectricity,” and is also an officer of the Public Power Council, a group that represents consumer-owned utilities in the Northwest at the state and federal level.

Humaira's goal is to instigate more hopeful and solution-driven conversations around this contentious topic. She can connect the important battleground issues happening in the Northwest with how we should approach our energy needs to ensure a reliable and socially equitable renewable energy future.