John Dobken, Public Affairs, 509-377-8369
Anna Markham, Public Affairs, 509-377-8162

 

RICHLAND, Wash. – Energy Northwest filed a motion to intervene (see attachment) Thursday with the Superior Court of the State of Washington in Thurston County to protect the interests of regional ratepayers from an action by Oregon anti-nuclear energy activists.

 

Three anti-nuclear energy groups filed a petition with the court Oct. 30 challenging the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit issued to Energy Northwest by the Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council on Sept. 30. The five-year permit took effect   Nov. 1.

 

Energy Northwest has operated Columbia Generating Station for 30 years, utilizing the same cooling water intake structure and system during that entire time. Energy Northwest was in full compliance with the previously issued NPDES permit and is in compliance with the new permit, which requires the agency to perform additional monitoring, testing and reporting.

 

“In 30 years of operation, there has never been a question that Energy Northwest is a good steward of the Columbia River ecology and environment,” said Brent Ridge, vice president, Corporate Services and chief financial and risk officer. “We will continue that record for the next 30 years of Columbia Generating Station’s operation.

“Although the anti-nuclear energy groups offered no science to support their claims, the petition they filed could have real impacts to ratepayers,” said Ridge. The motion filed today points out that unnecessary changes to Columbia’s water intake structure would cost more than $20 million, mostly from lost power sales, as Columbia would need to shut down to make those changes.

 

“Through this filing we intend to protect ratepayers,” Ridge said.

 

Columbia Generating Station uses approximately 24 million gallons of cooling water from the Columbia River each day. That is approximately the amount of water that passes by the intake structure every 30 seconds.

 

Energy Northwest submits a Discharge Monitoring Report to EFSEC each month, detailing the monitoring results of the water that is returned to the river, some of which are measured in micrograms per liter. The results of those reports show Columbia is well within permitted levels in all categories.

 

In a news release dated Oct. 30, the Northwest Environmental Defense Center claimed Energy Northwest “has not been required to study the impacts of intake structures...” However, Energy Northwest conducted a study from April to September of 1985 to look at potential harm to juvenile salmonids, and no impact was found. The monitoring program was undertaken with study-plan review by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

 

Ridge said the EFSEC permitting process was thorough, allowing for comments from the anti-nuclear energy groups, as well as federal regulators, Energy Northwest and the public. The resulting permit goes further in terms of the monitoring, testing and reporting that Energy Northwest must accomplish, which clearly indicates that EFSEC listened to and considered the comments it received when making the final determination on the terms of the new permit.

 

The petitioners have agreed not to oppose the request by Energy Northwest to intervene.
 
About Energy Northwest               
Energy Northwest develops, owns and operates a diverse mix of electricity generating resources, including hydro, solar and wind projects – and the Northwest’s only nuclear energy facility. These projects provide enough reliable, affordable and environmentally respon¬sible energy to power more than a million homes each year, and that carbon-free electricity is provided at the cost of generation. As a Washington state, not-for-profit joint operating agency, Energy Northwest comprises 27 public power member utilities from across the state serving more than 1.5 million ratepayers. The agency continually explores new generation projects to meet its members’ needs. Energy Northwest – www.energy-northwest.com.

About ISO-14001
Energy Northwest’s environmental management system incorporates all the requirements of International Organization of Standardization 14001:2004. ISO 14001 is an international standard that provides a framework for an effective EMS. It specifies the requirements for an EMS and validates environmental achievement.