Laws: Cases and Codes : U.S. Code : Title 16 : Section 839


   
U.S. Code as of: 01/19/04
Section 839. Congressional declaration of purpose

      The purposes of this chapter, together with the provisions of
    other laws applicable to the Federal Columbia River Power System,
    are all intended to be construed in a consistent manner. Such
    purposes are also intended to be construed in a manner consistent
    with applicable environmental laws. Such purposes are:
        (1) to encourage, through the unique opportunity provided by
      the Federal Columbia River Power System - 
          (A) conservation and efficiency in the use of electric power,
        and
          (B) the development of renewable resources within the Pacific
        Northwest;

        (2) to assure the Pacific Northwest of an adequate, efficient,
      economical, and reliable power supply;
        (3) to provide for the participation and consultation of the
      Pacific Northwest States, local governments, consumers,
      customers, users of the Columbia River System (including Federal
      and State fish and wildlife agencies and appropriate Indian
      tribes), and the public at large within the region in - 
          (A) the development of regional plans and programs related to
        energy conservation, renewable resources, other resources, and
        protecting, mitigating and enhancing fish and wildlife
        resources,
          (B) facilitating the orderly planning of the region's power
        system, and
          (C) providing environmental quality;

        (4) to provide that the customers of the Bonneville Power
      Administration and their consumers continue to pay all costs
      necessary to produce, transmit, and conserve resources to meet
      the region's electric power requirements, including the
      amortization on a current basis of the Federal investment in the
      Federal Columbia River Power System;
        (5) to insure, subject to the provisions of this chapter - 
          (A) that the authorities and responsibilities of State and
        local governments, electric utility systems, water management
        agencies, and other non-Federal entities for the regulation,
        planning, conservation, supply, distribution, and use of
        electric power shall be construed to be maintained, and
          (B) that Congress intends that this chapter not be construed
        to limit or restrict the ability of customers to take actions
        in accordance with other applicable provisions of Federal or
        State law, including, but not limited to, actions to plan,
        develop, and operate resources and to achieve conservation,
        without regard to this chapter; and

        (6) to protect, mitigate and enhance the fish and wildlife,
      including related spawning grounds and habitat, of the Columbia
      River and its tributaries, particularly anadromous fish which are
      of significant importance to the social and economic well-being
      of the Pacific Northwest and the Nation and which are dependent
      on suitable environmental conditions substantially obtainable
      from the management and operation of the Federal Columbia River
      Power System and other power generating facilities on the
      Columbia River and its tributaries.



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