Manager’s Message – August 2024
Our Greatest Resource
Dear Co-op Members:
Here in the Pacific Northwest, one of our greatest resources is hydropower.
Hydropower provides more than 80% of the energy used to power life in the Pacific Northwest. It harnesses the energy of falling water as it flows through a turbine and converts it to electricity.
It is also more reliable than other forms of energy, such as solar and wind, which can fluctuate significantly depending on the weather and time of day. The continual flow of water helps balance fluctuations in different generation forms and can be used immediately or stored for later.
Hydropower is not new, but it continues to evolve. Our systems have improved dramatically since they lit up the Pacific Northwest more than a century ago.
New turbine designs and bypass systems have allowed fish to pass through the system more easily and safely. The new systems have also helped balance and restore the ecosystem.
There is much conversation about the future of the Pacific Northwest’s generating dams. In the coming months, you’ll hear more about how you can lend your voice to help protect our hydroelectric system.
To learn more about our hydro resources, visit the Hydropower Energy Advocates website.
Sincerely,
Debi Wilson
