February 7, 2005

Washington, DC – Today, Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) responded to provisions in President Bush FY 2006 budget which would gradually force Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) ratepayers to pay market-based rates rather than the cost-based prices currently in use:

“If this plan is implemented, it would cost the Northwest hundreds of millions and possibly billions of dollars,” Smith said. “BPA’s customers are still recovering from the West Coast energy crisis and a sluggish economy. They’ve already been hit with rate hikes and they can’t afford any more. I am going to exhaust every right and privilege I have, as a Senator, to kill this proposal.”

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