§838n Columbia Basin Power Management

Summary

Creates a special Treasury account to pay for projects that increase clean electricity trading between the western United States and Canada. The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Administrator can use money from that account to build transmission lines in the western U.S. that help move non-carbon electricity across the border. That spending can start after the later of September 16, 2024, or when the Canadian entitlement value calculation is ended or cut to the actual electric power value to the United States, as the BPA Administrator decides. The Administrator must talk with Canadian utilities and regional transmission planners before building. Money equal to the total Canadian Entitlement for the 5-year period before November 15, 2021, is authorized for the account. The Commissioner of Reclamation must repair and upgrade the John W. Keys III Pump Generating Plant to replace old equipment, improve reliability and efficiency, add hydro capacity in the Pacific Northwest, and protect irrigation water if Columbia River flows from British Columbia are too low after September 16, 2024. Up to $100,000,000 is authorized for that work. The BPA Administrator must also study the value of better U.S.–Canada coordination of dams and reservoirs, looking at electricity supply changes, greenhouse gas cuts, transmission needs, and other relevant factors, coordinating with British Columbia, the Assistant Secretary, the Commissioner of Reclamation, and mainstem Columbia River public utility districts. Up to $10,000,000 is authorized for the study. Key defined terms: Account — the new Treasury account; Administrator — BPA Administrator; Canadian Entitlement — Canada’s downstream power benefits under the 1961 Columbia River Treaty.