Lower Snake River Dams
Benefits of Hydropower in Oregon
Low-Cost, Carbon-Free Power The 4 Lower Snake River hydroelectric dams are the low-cost, carbon-free backbone of Oregon’s power supply.
Supporting Renewable Energy Goals The dams are essential to meeting the region’s renewable energy goals as wind and solar become a growing part of the clean energy system.
Reliable Power When It’s Needed Hydropower works alongside wind and solar to provide reliable, carbon-free power when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining.
Powering Homes
900000
The Snake River dams power 900,000 homes annually
Carbon-Free Energy
The Lower Snake River dams provide enough carbon-free energy to power a city roughly the size of Seattle
Economic benefits
In addition to power, the Lower Snake River dams provide valuable socioeconomic benefits to recreation, irrigation, and transportation
Balancing the Grid
The Lower Snake River dams are ready to respond to the region’s energy needs, increasing or decreasing generation to keep the system in balance
Reliable Generation
The Snake River dams generate over 3,000 megawatts of power for the region each year, adding to the nearly emission-free electricity delivered by Oregon’s electric cooperatives
Supporting Rural Communities
The low cost of hydropower is crucial for vulnerable and rural communities
Energy Cost Impact
50%
Possible increase in energy prices
Federal agencies concluded that removing the Snake River dams could increase energy prices for Oregonians by 50%, costing Oregon families hundreds of dollars in increased utility bills.
Renewable Resources
The Lower Snake River dams help integrate other renewables like wind and solar to the system, ensuring the delivery of low cost, reliable electricity
Vehicle Emission Impact
712944
Breaching the Snake River dams is estimated to increase carbon emissions by 3,300,000 million metric tons. That’s equivalent to adding 712,944 vehicles to the road for one year.
Vehicle Emission Impact
3300000
Metric tons of increased carbon emissions
Federal agencies estimate that breaching the Snake River dams will increase carbon emissions by 3,300,000 million metric tons across the region as utilities turn to fossil fuel sources to meet the needs of Oregonians.
Wildfire Mitigation
Oregon’s electric cooperatives have served some of the state’s highest fire-risk areas since our founding. We take that responsibility seriously – not just to keep the lights on safely, but to protect the forests, farmland, and natural resources that are the economic and cultural lifeblood of the communities we serve.
Today, we’re investing more in wildfire mitigation than at any point in our history. All 18 Oregon electric cooperatives have wildfire mitigation plans filed with the Oregon Public Utility Commission, reflecting a shared commitment to proactive, accountable risk reduction.
Wildfire is likely the single greatest threat facing Oregon’s electric cooperatives — and the members who depend on us. We’ll keep investing in mitigation, protecting our members, and making sure legislators understand what’s at stake for our business model and our communities.
Voices from Across Oregon
Letters to the Editor
Read real letters from ratepayers, workers, and community leaders speaking out against the lawsuit threatening the Federal Columbia River Power System.
Consumer-Owned Utility Voices
Explore statements, letters, columns, and ads from Oregon’s not-for-profit electric utilities responding to the state’s federal hydropower litigation.
The Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association represents 18 electric co-ops serving over 500,000 Oregonians with clean, renewable hydropower.