Congressman Cliff Bentz Joins Oversight Hearing on the Importance of Protecting and Advancing Hydropower

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Cliff Bentz (OR-R) joined the Natural Resources Subcommittee on the Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries which held a hearing yesterday. 

During the hearing, it was noted that while actual dam removal may not proceed directly, there remains fear that dams will be functionally disabled in the name of fish conservation. Congressman Bentz attacked this narrative, emphasizing: dams on Snake and Columbia are not the primary obstacle to fish recovery. The greatest threat lies in the ocean, because fewer than 2% of the fish that reach the ocean return to spawn upstream. His comments serve as a strong reminder of the need for science-based policy that protects both hydropower energy production and rural communities that rely on these resources.

Watch Congressman Cliff Bentz Statement, here.