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2024, 02-20 Study Sessionl► .1jamicki City of Spokane Valley City Council Study Session Meeting Tuesday, February 20, 2024 In the absence of a mayor, City Clerk Patterson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was held in person in Council Chambers, and also remotely via Zoom meeting. Attendance: Councilmembers Pam Haley, Councilmember Rod Higgins, Councilmember Tim Hattenburg, Councilmember Laura Padden, Councilmember Al Merkel, Councilmember Ben Wick, Councilmember Jessica Yaeger, Councilmember Staff John Hohman, City Manager Erik Lamb, Deputy City Manager Kelly Konkright, City Attorney John Bottelli, Parks & Roe Director Tony Beattie, Sr. Deputy City Attorney Bill Helbig, Community & PW Director John Whitehead, Human Resources Director Jill Smith, Communications Manager Mike Basinger, Econ. Development Director Rob Lochmiller, CIP Engineering Manager Erica Amsden, CIP Engineering Manager Lori Barlow, Senior Planner Virginia Clough, Legislative Policy Coordinator Deanna Horton, Administrative Assistant Dave Ellis, Police Chief Nikki Kole, IT Specialist Marci Patterson, City Clerk ROLL CALL: City Clerk Patterson called roll; all Councilmembers were present. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the agenda. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: After Mayor Haley explained the process, she invited public comment. Ms. Barb Howard, Spokane Valley (via Zoom); Mr. Bob West, Spokane Valley; Ms. Brynna Franzen, Spokane Valley; Tien Malick, Spokane; Kelle Masterson, Spokane Valley; and Anna Martin, Spokane Valley provided comments. PRESENTATION: Mr. Dan Wilson with the United Steelworks Local Union 388 and Chelsea Martin with Modern Electric presented a detailed PowerPoint presentation. During the presentation and without approval to be excused, Councilmember Merkel stepped off the dais and left chambers for two minutes and returned to his seat at 6:24 p.m. while in the middle of the presentation. Ms. Martin continued with the presentation. The presentation included a review of the U.S. governments commitments to the dams, an overview of the hydropower produced by the dams, a map of the average residential electricity prices within the United States, and what the impacts are to Spokane Valley. Ms. Martin noted that hydropower is a lifeline and was. saved lives during the cold snap earlier in the year as our loads of power spike during the colder times and hydropower helped with the spikes. She also noted that monthly costs for electricity could increase drastically should the dams be closed and no longer able to produce hydropower. Council discussed who owns the dams, how serious this effort has become, and the need to add saving our dams to our Legislative Agenda. Council reached consensus to add the dams to the city's Legislative Agenda. Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 02-20-2024 Page i of 3 Approved by Council: 06-25-2024 ACTION ITEMS: 2. Second Reading: Ordinance 24-001 Amending Planning Commission Meeting Requirements — Tony Beattie After City Clerk Patterson read the Ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg and seconded to approve Ordinance 24-001 amending SVMC 18.10.030 related to Planning Commission meeting requirements. After Mr. Beattie gave a brief synopsis of the purpose of the ordinance, Mayor Haley invited public comments. No public comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried. 3. Resolution 24-003- Planning Commission meeting; location — Tony Beattie It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg and seconded move to adopt Resolution 24-003 adopting the Planning Commission Rules of Procedure to relocate regular meetings to City Hall Council Chambers. Mr. Beattie briefly explained the purpose of the resolution was simply to relocate the Planning Commission meetings back to City Hall to alleviate the need to have each meeting continue to be held as a Special Meeting. Mayor Haley called for public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation on the original motion: in favor: Unanimous, Opposed: None, Motion carried NON -ACTION ITEMS: 4. Admin Report: RCO Grant Update, Flora Park — John Bottelli Mr. Bottelli and Mr. Basinger, Economic Development Director met to provide an update on the RCO Grant for Flora Park. Mr. Basinger provided a review of the property and background on the grant funding. Mr. Bottelli reviewed the PowerPoint presentation that included an overview of the project history, the milestones of the project, photos of the potential cross country course and a review of the property boundaries. Council discussed the RFQ process, and additional details of the project. 5. Admin Report: 2024 Capital Improvement Projects — Erica Amsden & Robert Lochmiller Ms. Amsden started the discussion with a detailed PowerPoint presentation that included the current list of the 2024 construction projects. Those projects were listed as the Pines Rd/BNSF Grade Separation Project, the South Bowdish Road Improvements, the 16"' Ave. Preservation Project, Trent Ave Access Control Safety Improvements, Citywide Reflective Backplates, Balfour Park Improvements — completion of Phase One, North Pines and East Mission Intersection Improvement Project, 2024 Local Access Pavement Preservation Project, 2024 Cape Seal Project- Local Access, East Sprague Stormwater Project, East Indiana Preservation — Phase One, and Sullivan Park Waterline Project. Staff detailed the costs for the projects and the timeline for each of the projects. Council questioned cost of specific projects, grants funds used for some of the projects, and the need for some of the projects. 6. Admin Report: Street Vacation (STV-2024-0001) -- Lori Barlow Ms.Barlow, Senior Planner presented a request for a street vacation and a Resolution to set date for the Planning Commission Public Hearing. She stated that this was a privately initiated request, provided the location of the request and noted that the city doesn't have any objections to move forward with the request. Ms. Barlow reviewed a detailed PowerPoint that went over additional details of the property and the process moving forward. Council provided consensus to move forward with the request. Pausing the work on the sprague road stormater project -stopping the work for now only al hand 5. Advance Agenda — Mayor Haley Couneihnember Yaeger brought forward the concerns for SCRAPS and City Manager Hohman noted that it is on the pending list of items on the advance agenda. Councilmember Merkel requested looking into the "flock" camera system that is currently being used in Liberty Lake and did not have any additional consensus to add it to the advance agenda. Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 02-20-2024 Page 2 of 3 Approved by Council: 06-25-2024 Councili-neniber Merkel requested staff look into a local ordinance as Pierce County has done regarding specific drug possession becoming a felony. City Manager Holin-ian noted that staff would look into it but understand that we cannot locally supersede what the state has done. Council agreed and there was consensus fi-oni council to have that added to the advance: agenda. Councilineniber Merkel requested pausing the Sprague Storinwater project and there was not consensus to raise the project or add pausing it to the advance agenda. COUNCIL COMMENTS Couricilineiriber Merkel spoke about the Sprague Stormwater project and feels it is problematic to proceed with tile project. He noted that SCRAPS still important and should be reviewed soon. He also wanted to echo the public and believes public safety meetings should be open to the public, COUncilinember Padden provided clarity regarding open public meetings act and committee meetings don't have to be under OPMA. She noted that only if we have a. qUOI-LUTi do they need to be open to the public and currently we do not have a qUOI-Uni as there only three councifinernbers at the meeting. She also noted that the committee members are not making decision on that committee and that law enforcement a huge commitment. They are planning for listening sessions forthe citizens and open houses and there are multiple ways to stay informed by Our CitiMIS, COLInCilinember Yaeger noted that she believes they owe Chelsea Mai -tin an apology as she brought an important item to us, and a COUncilmember was not here during the opening of her topic, crry MANAGER COMMENTS Mr. Holinian asked Mr, Basinger to provide the information regarding a support letter for tech hub applications, Mr. Basinger noted that the city has been part of the process and any funds awarded would flow into our region if our local collaborators got any grant funds. Council reached consensus to move Forward with any support, letters for the grants, Executive Session: It was inoved ky Del%uty Mayor JIM. ten burg, seconded to act ©urn into a-ve(nitive session ,for 30 ininittes to eliscuss pending litigation andpotential acquisition qf'real estate, and that no action will be taken upon return to open sessiOn. Vote hry acclamation: infirvor: Unanimous. Opl-)ose& None. AlIolion carried. Council a4iourned into executive session at 7:40 jmtt At 8:021).7n, DqlndY � Mcryor Ilatlenburg declared Council out of executive session, at ivhich thne it was moved by Councibneinber Wick, seconded and aardinously agi-eed to achourn. ATTEST: Mdrci Ratterson, City Clerk Pain Haley, May'051' C0111161 MCCthIg MhlffieS, Study Session: 02-20-2024 Approved by Council: Page 3 of 3 I Tuesday, February 20, 2024 6:00 p.m. Cl`,i,"NERAL PU.B1jC COM.MENT OPPORTUNITY THIS IS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS YOUR SPEAKING TIME WILL GE NERALLYBE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES You may sian in to speak but it is not necessary, as the Mayor will afford the Public the opportunity tosveak. NAME PLEASE PRIN rj', TOPIC OF CONCERN YOU WILL SPEAK ABOUT YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE Y\ kl)"vAc� lllox w-) j 0 11,11 �'Y) ck A ck/ A 0 v .. . .. . .. ...... . ............. ......... ....... . ............ . ............... .................... . . .......................... . .................... . .. . . . . .................... - ......... . ........ .... . ...... .............. .. . --- . ................... .. ..... ...... . ..... . .. . ... . ....... -- ....... . ..... . .... . . .......................... - .. . ............ ............... ..................... . ........ . ........ ....... - . . .................. . ....... . . ........ . ............. --- ........... . . .................... .... . ..... I . ... ... . .................. . ......... . . .. . ........ . ........ - Please note that once infivination is eidered on this.1brin, it becontes a public record subject to public (fisc!losure. 10210 E Sprague Ave + Spokane Valley, WA 99206 Phone (509) 720-5000 + lax (509) 720-5075 www,spokanevalleywa,gov rebFUary 20, 2024 The Honorable Alejandra Castillo Assistant Secretary for Econornic Development Department of Commerce 1401 Constitution Avenue NW Suite 71014 Washington, DC 20230 Dear Assistant Secretary Castillo: On behalf of the City of Spokane Valley we are providing this letter Of Support and COIT1111ittrient to the Phase 2 round of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Regional Technology and Innovation Clubs American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC) TechHUb application. The City of Spokane Valley is a Municipality located in Spokane County (population 107,000). One of the largest segments Of Our business workforce is inal-ILIfaCtUring (advanced, contract, machine, OEM, operational technology). We are committed to and have demonstrated support for economic development expansion and growth for all industries and sectors within our city and look forward to supporting the AAMMC TechHUb and domestic aerospace manufacturing Supply chain by: • Continuing our partnership with Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI) to accelerate economic development, innovation, and testbed prospects through organic partnership opportunities. We will, share workforce campaigns among Our social media platforms and websites with GSI and the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce (GSVCC). • Enhancing OLU'partnership with GSVCC to provide commercial and industrial site tours, networking events, training and educational opportunities for tech and aerospace sectors in collaboration with TechHub partners and provide sector specific technical assistance for affiliated businesses located in the industrial and manufacturing business districts in the City of Spokane Valley. • Lead networking events and educational seminars throughout the year. ffighlightT'echl-ftib related Spokane Valley based businesses and Visitors Oil our website and social media platforms. • Work with nearby Spokane Valley hoteliers, event space partners and the Techl-lub tearns to develop ideation and creative convenings, workshops, forurns, and conferences. • Work in partnership with the 1-90 Manufacturing Alliance (NIMA) to develop an asset mapping tool to identify existing aerospace and niatnlftlCtUring companies. • Engage in strategies to expand the manufacturing and aerospace industry presence in the region. Our professional economic development team is committed to, ongoing engagement and professional partnership with the AAMMC'FechHUb project team. `rhe city supports the AAMMC 'rechtlub application, and we are confident that it will make a substantial contribution to OUrCOMBILInity"S growth, technological leadership, workforce opportunities and economic resilience. Sincerely, Pain Haley, Mayor On Behalf of the City of Spokane Valley Council III- I 1 1 � �� 111 111 II , kill III LOCAL UNION 338 DANIEL R. WILSON - Legislative Affairs VM UNITY AND STRENGTH FOR WORKERS February 20, 2024 City of Spokane Valley ,John I-loh.inan City Manager and Mernbers arrive Council Imo;: Energy and Industry I any a former president of the United Steelworkers Union which represents over I 100 hourly workers here in the Spokane Valley, most of whom are employed by Kaiser-Aluniinurn. Nationally the Steelworkers represent industrial workers who are employed in Aluminum, Steel, Pulp & Paper, Brick, Glass, Cement, Chemical, Forestry, Rubber, Mining, Refining, and Energy, Another four to five additional jobs, are connected to every Steelworker job, Our manufacturing jobs here in the Spokane Valley support hundreds of fianii lies by providing livable wages with good benefits. The products we manufacture strengthen our national security and supports our domestic supply chain. One of the things out, manufacturers have in co union is that they all depend on electricity and in order to conduct operations and be competitive the electricity we consume rnust be available, affordable, reliable, and preferably low carbon.. It's important to note that most manufacturers typically look ahead 5-20 years to determine what business conditions will look like before making decisions to, invest capital for upgrades and expansion proJects. J'he uncertainty of what future electrical rates will cost coupled with concerns related to availability and reliability will likely dampen the prospects of future capital investment for some of our industrial sector businesses. In the labor world, Capital Investment eqUates to job security for industrialworkers and their families. Lack of investment can result ii�i the curtailment of operations due to the inability to compete. In turn, this typically results in a loss of jobs impacting the lives of all our, citizens. "Mat raises the question of what irnpact this could have on municipal, county, and state revenues and the subsequent public services they provide to our community. We don't have to look far to -find past examples of the negative impact this lias had on communities where significant job losses have occurred, for example: 4". 0. Box 15286, Spokane, WAi 991215-S286 - Phone� 509-924-2650 FAX: 509-924-2717 ECONOMIC RE, LIEF FOR AMERICANS THROUGH LOWER ENERGY COSTS The verdict is In: Inflation Is causing unbearable financial pain for hard-working Americans —and there seems to be little rellef in sight, particularly regarding soaring energy costs. In 2022, more than one-third (33,9%) of U.S. households reported cutting back or skipping payments for basic expenses, such as medicine or food, to afford their energy bills, according to a U.S. Census Bureau survey. One In five participants (20.8%) said they kept their househoids at home temperatures that felt unsafe or unhealthy. And 23.1% were unable to pay at least part of an energy bill in the last year. In Washington state, the Department of Commerce estimates that 25% of Washingtonians are energy burdened (spending 6% or more of their gross incomes an energy), even with the Pacific Northwest's low energy prices. Across the U.S., electricity prices have soared in recent years, spiking 14.3% in 2022, and they're still rising. 71_�_ As America trends toward a future of "electrifying" its economy —phasing out gasoline vehicles and natural gas heating in homes and businesses —we're facing an era of unprecedented electricity demand. The Energy Transitions Commission estimates that electricity could represent up to 70% of final energy demand by 2050, These new electrification demands could also lead to higher demand peaks, requiring flexible and scalable options to help electricity systems adjust quickly to shifts In demand and to compensate for fluctuations in supply from intermittent sources such as solar and wind. (Hint: That's hydropower's greatest strength.) When it comes to low-cost, scalable, flexible, renewable energ in the Pacific Northwest, nothing beats hydropower. It's why states such as Washington, Idaho and Oregon have lower energy bills than the rest of MU U.5 In our transition away from coal and natural ga generation, hydropower will become an even more important part of the renewable energy portfolio. Not only is it unmatched in terms of reliability, flexibility and storage, but hydropow( consumers enjoy the lowest electricity rates. In fact, hydropower is the reason our utility has some of the lowest residential energy rates in the nation —an astonishingly low 5.4 cents, per kilowatt hour. Compare that to a state like ,California, which averages 26.71 cents per kilowatt hour, Even California imports hydroelectricity from the Pacific Northwest to meet its increasing energy demand. If more than one-third of Americans are having trouble paying utility bills, why wouldn't we turn to one of our most affordable sources of renewable energy to ease their economic pain? Hydropower plays a critical role in both our fight against climate A 44 * + A It +1, 1 4. _s+ nnnr nodfle U ca"Vo an our W or 0 W V vwr V owes LJ UY H Basic economic principles tell us that as demand exceeds to Americans struggling to pay Increasing electricity costs, supply, prices rise. The same concept applies to energy supply. See reverse Sidi All] 11 "ION Modern Electric Water Co Residential Rates: 5 - 7 cents /kwh In m. H I - 39.97 of Affordable Renewable Energy VT - NH - 22.79 —MA - 25.33 —Rl - 23,46 -25.61 —NJ - 16.93 -DE - 13,16 -MD - 14,16 -14.04 Modern: 5-7 cents/kwhi 10,0-12.0 cents/kwh 12.101-14.0 cenfs/kwh 14.01-16.0 cents/kwh 16.01-18,0 cents/kwh 18,01-20.0 cents/kwh 20.01 + cents/kwh The Rise of U.S., Energy Costs, Average energy prices in the United States (in U,S. dollars) Piped gas per therm — GasoHne per gallon 30 kwFl of electricity' 5 4 . .. . .. . .......... . ..... m'1121 mm 2 Apr'20 $1 .04 0 2020 2021 '22 *average daily 1J,5, householdconsumpbon SOL11-Ce: Bureau of Labor Statistics ccTO (1,7E) statistaN The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that electricity prices surged 14.3% in 2022, double the annual inflation rate of 6.5% (Continued from front.) California Sea Lions Sea lions prey on endangered salmon as they, migrate up the Columbia River. Sea lions are an overabundant predator, and their copulation has exploded from several thousand in 1972 to more Man 300,000 today, At least 1,000 of these husky salmon hunters growl in the Columbia River's spring fish runs below Bonneville Dam. The sea lions devour the salmon we've worked to protect, despite our contentious efforts to improve fish survivability and pQost dam passage rates to as high as 99%. i are so commercially viable and culturally desirable that restrictions often fail, due to commercial and recreational westina, " s from pollution, inclulp W-g 6PPD, a hig htoxic,, d In old"car tires that"lim, �' arried into waterways s. They also face threats from insect -killin" Main car ,,P n other-AMPOPF"' goryl and metb`emyl,�.Pxpo gi i A nn Amna mnrq mlr*rnnknqffi!o. 'VOITH id he White House Council on Environmental Quality is making overtures ,about breaching the lower Snake River dams —lee Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite ---all part of the Federal Columbia River Power System and located in Southeastern Washington, However, if these four dams are breached, Pacific Northwest residents ;ould face potentially significant price increases and energy ,hortages. the Washington state Commerce Department 7as predicted that demand for electricity will Double by 2050, and studies demonstrate this Demand for electricity will outpace supply. Our )ower grid will soon be under unsustainable wessure. With soaring electricity demand, 1limate change and the aggressive movement :o retire fossil fuel generation In the West, our °egion faces an energy resource deficit of unprecedented proportions, putting us at ]rowing risk of blackouts. Scan here for"Tho Truth About the Lower Snake (fiver Dame [i] .V 10 balances our power grid, compensating for shortfalls created b) Intermittent energy sources such as wind and solar. Hydropowf also prevents 50 million metric tons of carbon emissions from entering our atmosphere. This affordable, dependable, carbon - free electricity Is critical to our region. Nearly 90% of our region renewable energy comes, from hydropower. The lower Snake River dams all meet and even exceed federal and state standards for safe fish passage. In fact, hydropower"t track record in robust fish mitigation activities is solid. (See Fact Sheet. "An Honest Discussion about Saving Salmon.") The greatest threat to salmon is not from hydropower; it's from rising, sea temperatures, which could lead to a 90% AJ_ _, decline in Chinook salmon runs, NQAA reports,. We have yet to see an independent engineerinC and cost -benefit and fish -benefit analysis, but ■ recent studies concluded that breaching the fot lower Snake River dams would cast taxpayers Fhe lower Snake River dams produce about as much annual 9nergy (1,000 average megawatts) as a large nuclear power giant. But they can produce up to 3 times that amount during )erlods of high demand. As many as 750,000 homes rely on he carrion -free power generated by the lower Snake River Jams. During times of extreme need, the lower Snake River Jams can power up to 2.25 million homes, 4dditionally, It takes 5 megawatts of wind/solarlbatterles to °eplace one megawatt of hydropower capacity, so removing he lower make River dams (,000 megawatts) would require a new buildout of 15,0100 megawatts of new energy resources. the cleanest energy in the United States and Can the other hands, preserving the lower Snake River dams will help keep Washingtonians' energy costs low. Hydropower is thi reason our utility has the lowest residential energy rates in the nation —an astonishingly low 5 cents per kWh. That low-cost, reliable energy Is not just a privilege; It's a life-saving necessity particularly to heat homes during bitter coldwinter months or to prevent blackouts from threatening public safety and human liv, Hydropower -resource ij more andthe Shake Riverdams are a larg part of the F 1W del' a wwvr+Mr �r�al� 1 4 e^e�,�re A' DO "^ P., w ■ � r � Cr IDAHO 1 ab s is re i4, Fda� �M1ry'pp{ b � � e �ppe�x ov�e• Itoaapm°0,aw �1 Ar r f � r � I fa' 1 WASHINOON � k VpY`krv{"I1�V�4a"�,p ^ OA G O lTOY !!0 �f11NI� •.re instalted « claim M MD ERN Electric Water Comipany reliably serving the Spokane Valley since 1905 U lop i AL f 0 d, PREVENTINGUOLLING BL%CK0tITS' & P 0" T, R SUPPLY SHORTAGES ashingiton state predicts, energy usage will double by 2050, and studies reveal dernand for electricity will outpace supply. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has announced its goal to decarbonize the U.S. grid by 2035, an objective that requires a massive increase in generating capacity. le ctrif ication—replaci jig technologies that use fossil fuels .cal, oil and natural gas) with technologies that use electricity s a source of energy —is creating more demands on the lectrical grid than ever before, his increased demand may roduce a significant energy )source deficit and even ,ad to price hikes and lidespread power outages. Mere Will We Get Extra Power? 3.shington relies on hydropower I most electricity generation. In 2022, droelectric power accounted for 67% Washington's total electricity net generation ern both utility -scale (1 megawatt or larger) d small-scale (less than I megawatt) facilities. lydropower is an excellent complement to any omprehensive renewable energy strategy" especiall,y to revent "blackouts" common in states that rely heavily on itermittent energy sources. In fact. it takes 5 megawatts of find, solar or battery power to replace 1 rnegawatt of ydropower capacity. Growing dernand for electricity and the ckle nature of green technologies such as wind and solar iean hydropower as an existing, clean baseload resource is iore critical than ever before, That low-cost, clean, reliable hydropower energy is not just a convenience; it's a life-saving necessity, particularly to heat homes during bitter cold winter months or to prevent rolling blackouts from threatening precious human lives. An energy shortage could lead' to more rolling blackouts, as saw in California in 2020, in Texas and Oklahoma in 2021, a in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. and Virginia in 2022. What Happens During a'Rollirig Blackout'? • Most rolling blackouts last 1 2 hours,, though some may last longer. I • At onset: Potential medical risk is immediate. American may not have power for breathing machines. power wheelchairsand home dialysis equipment. They may not have charged batteries, or money to purcha,� expensive generators. Oxygen-dependen people and those with heat or cold iIntoleranc may contact local police and fire departments. - Wired security systems fail. Elevators may not work. Gas pumps are inoperative, • After 4 hours, refrigerated food spoils. Sorne backur batteries may begin to fail:. Finally, returning power may cause surges when electrical load is reconnected. This could damage electronics, appliance outlets and wiring and create increased risk of fire. Continued on reverse side -11 1 WANT MORE INFORMATION OR NEED AN EXPERT TO TESTIFY? Joe Morgan Chelsea Martin, M.A. Kurt Miller General Manager', Giwernment Rdal ions & Conifflunications Execotive Director, Modern Electric Vvater Company Modern Electric Water coo rpai ky Noflhwest RiverPartneii s Member, Washington Pural Electric Cooperative Assn Meniber, Wasl-ongton Rural Electric Cooperative A�;srr (360) 839,2525 (509) 755,9012 jMoi-,gai-i(4! Modei,nEMecti,icWa(er.(om (509) 755,9007 CMartitipModernElp-cl,ricWateo,corii Kiir"t@iivvrivei-pai,tnei's,corn K11MODERN Electric Water Company reliably serving the Spokane Valley since 1905 OW TO KEEP UP WITH INCREASED DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY wl the Playing, Field for Hydropower fashinigton state is the only state in, the U.S. that doesn't recognize hydropower as a renewable resource. Furthermore, the ,S. has the capacity to increase hydropower production from 101 gigawatts to nearly 150 g1gawatts_by_2_0_5Q__actor _&ng to the .S. Department of Energy. To prevent energy shortages, U.S. lawmakers must pass legislation affirming the role of hydropower � an essential renewable resource and updating federal renewable purchase requirements to include hydropower. olicyrnakers, miay also consider strategies to retrofit some of America's 87,000+ nionpowered dams to produce hydropower. mbia River Treaty rie decade -long pursuit of a rebalanced and equitable Treaty matters to Modern and its customers because ratepayers on the .S. side of the border in the Northwest are currently and annually losing, out on significant power benefits that should be flowing them, and these ratepayers need to be protected from any future flood control costs that should instead be borne by .xpayers (consistent with other regions of the, U.S.). cross the U.S., hydropower is one of our most affordable energy sources available. But the permitting process is simply roken. In the U.S., the hydropower licensing process requires the involvement of up to 11 federal and state agencies —double to agency involvement in other nations with established hydropower permitting processes. ydropower developers are forced to battle these protracted permitting and regulatory processes to license or re -license new or stablished projects. This increases risk and costs associated with licensing hydroelectric plants. It typically takes 5 years to btain an original license, and re -licensing takes 7.6 years, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. o further complicate the licensing struggle, new or smaller projects are disproportionately impacted by high costs. In both cases f large and smalls projects, the process may be further delayed by disagreements in negotiations over environmental studies. olicynnakers must address this burdensome practice and remove roadblocks to efficient permitting processes. o address increased energy demand and further boost our power supply mix, the U.S. should consider and approve licenses to onstruct and operate Small Modular Reactor (SMR) plants. SMRs are widely considered to be clean, carbon free and nvironmentally friendly power producers. dress a pply Chain Delays apply chain delays are causing widespread shortages of parts and grid components to ensure our electrical system is running peak reliability. Today, it can take nearly a year just to receive a distribution transformer. U.S. lawmakers, must create tax centives to encourage manufacturing companies to relocate their businesses back to American soil. This will create 'U.S. jobs lid eliminate the need for energy companies to rely on other countries for critical Infrastructure products, Bolster the American anufacturing of critical goods through new reforms under the Buy American Act. WANT M0111P, INFORMATIONOR NEED AN EXPERT TO TESTIM organ Chelsea (Martin, M.A. Kurt Miller -al Manager, Government Relations & Communications Executive Director, rin Electric Water Company Modern Electric Water Company Northwest RiverPartners )er, Washington Rural Electric Cooperative Assn Mernber, Washington Rur ' al Electric Cooperative Assn (360) 839,2525 755,9012 JMorgan@ Mode rnElectricWater,com (509)755,9007 CMai,Lin@Modei,nElectricWater-.com Klurt@nwi-iverpartnel's.com 1i