§838n Columbia Basin Power Management

Summary

Creates a Treasury account to pay for projects that increase renewable electric transfers between the western U.S. and Canada. The Bonneville Power Administration Administrator can use the money to build transmission in the western U.S. that helps move non-carbon electricity across the border. These actions take effect after the later of September 16, 2024, or when the Canadian entitlement value calculation is ended or reduced to the actual electric power value to the U.S., as the Administrator decides. The Administrator must consult with Canadian utilities and regional planning groups before building. Funding is authorized equal to the total Canadian Entitlement amount for the five years before November 15, 2021. The Commissioner of Reclamation must upgrade the John W. Keys III Pump Generating Plant to replace outdated equipment, improve reliability and efficiency, add hydro capacity for the Pacific Northwest, and protect irrigation if river flows from British Columbia into the U.S. are too low after September 16, 2024. Up to $100,000,000 is authorized for that work. The Administrator must also study whether better coordination of U.S. and Canadian hydro and storage operations would add value. The study must cover future electricity supply, possible greenhouse gas reductions, transmission needs, and other relevant factors, and coordinate with British Columbia (or its crown corporation), the Assistant Secretary, the Commissioner of Reclamation, and Columbia River public utility districts. Up to $10,000,000 is authorized for the study. Definitions: Account — the new Treasury account; Administrator — the BPA Administrator; Canadian Entitlement — downstream power benefits Canada gets under the Columbia River Treaty signed January 17, 1961.