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Court-ordered Dam Spill for Salmon Leads Bonneville Power to Propose Sweeping Rate Hike by Pete Danko Portland Business Journal, September 18, 2026

BPA plans rate hikes to offset revenue loss from salmon protections,
sparking debate among Oregon utilities and environmental groups

PORTLAND, Ore. -- This story comes from the Portland Business Journal, a KGW News partner. The full story is here.

The Bonneville Power Administration gave notice on Thursday that it will pursue higher rates, saying it needs to make up for revenue lost due to a federal court order intended to protect salmon.

The proposed rate hike set off a new round of sparring by parties that have been at odds over the order since U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon issued it in February. It came after a lawsuit by environmentalists, fishing groups and the states of Oregon and Washington.

Consumer-owned utilities that rely on BPA for much of their power -- and that serve about 1 million Oregon residents -- blamed the litigation for what they said would be a blow to consumers who are struggling to make ends meet.

In Oregon, they pointed a finger at Gov. Tina Kotek for backing Simon's order to increase spill over eight Columbia and Snake River dams, leaving less water to go through generating turbines.

Groups that brought the lawsuit, meanwhile, said BPA was moving prematurely and likely exaggerating the effects of the order on its financial position.

Bonneville said in its notice in the Federal Register that it expected to recover $250 million through rate changes over the next two years with the proposed new rates. That would translate to a 6.3% increase on its main power rate for consumer-owned utilities.

Kyle Roadman, general manager of the Emerald People's Utility District in Lane County, told the Business Journal that such an increase would likely add $50 to $100 to an average customer's annual electricity cost.