{"id":291805,"date":"2023-12-18T17:10:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T16:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=291805"},"modified":"2023-12-18T17:10:03","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T16:10:03","slug":"bidens-dam-removal-plan-and-its-impact-on-electrical-supply","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=291805","title":{"rendered":"Biden\u2019s Dam Removal Plan and Its Impact on Electrical Supply"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Ice Harbor Dam Snake River<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Watts Up With That?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a recent development, the Biden administration, in concert with environmental groups and Native American tribes, has set in motion a plan that could lead to the removal of four hydroelectric dams in Washington state. This decision, ostensibly made to protect salmon populations, raises significant concerns about the stability and reliability of the western power grid, particularly in terms of grid inertia and energy supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/biden-admin-creates-pathway-eco-groups-shutter-energy-source-serving-millions-americans<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

The White House, in coordination with Native American tribes and environmental groups, announced actions Thursday that provide a pathway for breaching<\/a>, or removing, four hydroelectric dams in Washington state to protect salmon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of the announcement, the\u00a0federal government entered into a legal agreement<\/a>\u00a0with the Pacific Northwest tribes and environmental organizations filed earlier in the day in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. Under that agreement, the tribes and eco groups \u2014 which had sued the federal government in an effort to forcibly breach the dams \u2014 agreed to stay the litigation through 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/biden-admin-creates-pathway-eco-groups-shutter-energy-source-serving-millions-americans<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Grid Inertia and Stability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Grid inertia is a critical aspect of power system stability. It refers to the resistance of the electrical grid to changes in frequency, which is essential for maintaining a steady and reliable power supply. Traditional power sources like coal, gas, and hydroelectric dams contribute significantly to grid inertia due to their large rotating generators. These generators store kinetic energy, which acts as a buffer against sudden changes in power supply or demand, thereby stabilizing the grid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

The initiative explicitly recommends that dams are breached within two fish generations, or approximately eight years. While there isn\u2019t an explicit plan to breach the dams \u2014 an action that the White House has acknowledged would require congressional approval \u2014 the agreement does include commitments to begin replacing the services provided by the dams.https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/biden-admin-creates-pathway-eco-groups-shutter-energy-source-serving-millions-americans<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

And opposition to this extra legal back door deal is growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cCongress \u2014 and Congress alone \u2014 can authorize removal of the dams on the lower Snake River. Bureaucrats, activist litigation, nor this administration\u2019s radical agenda will determine the fate of any of the Northwest\u2019s federal dams,\u201d Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis litigation effort was useless: It occurred behind closed doors, between two parties who wanted the same end result \u2014 to tear out our dams, and it completely excluded Idahoans who rely on the River System for its energy, transportation, agriculture and recreation benefits,\u201d he continued. \u201cI will continue to fight any breaching efforts, and, at every turn, I will reject the Biden administration\u2019s efforts to usurp Congressional authority.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/biden-admin-creates-pathway-eco-groups-shutter-energy-source-serving-millions-americans<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The hydroelectric dams in question are not just sources of renewable energy; they are also vital contributors to grid inertia. Their removal, as proposed in the Biden administration\u2019s plan, poses a direct threat to the stability of the western power grid. The dams currently provide about 8% of Washington state\u2019s electricity and have a total capacity of 3,000 megawatts. This is not just about losing a significant chunk of power supply; it\u2019s about eroding the grid\u2019s ability to withstand and quickly recover from power disturbances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A grid with reduced inertia is more susceptible to fluctuations in power frequency, which can lead to blackouts and other reliability issues. As we transition to more renewable energy sources like wind and solar, which do not inherently provide inertia, the importance of maintaining other sources of inertia, such as hydroelectric power, becomes even more critical. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has highlighted the evolving role of inertia in maintaining grid reliability, especially as the energy mix changes (NREL<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Irony of Green Energy Initiatives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The irony in this scenario is palpable. While the intention to protect salmon runs has some merit, the removal of these dams could lead to increased reliance on fossil fuels to compensate for the lost power and grid stability. This move could inadvertently result in higher carbon emissions, as replacing hydropower with natural gas generation would increase carbon emissions by up to 2.6 million metric tons per year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Agricultural and Economic Impact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the electrical implications, there\u2019s also the agricultural angle. The dams facilitate the transportation of about 60% of Washington\u2019s annual wheat exports via barges. Removing them could disrupt this supply chain, impacting both local and national agricultural markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

In light of these considerations, it is imperative that decisions affecting our power infrastructure be made with a full understanding of their implications on grid stability, energy supply, and the broader environment. While the protection of salmon populations is important, it needs to balanced with the expense of grid reliability and the broader ecological and economic stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In conclusion, the Biden administration\u2019s plan to remove these hydroelectric dams is a short-sighted approach that overlooks the broader implications on grid stability, energy supply, and environmental impact. A more balanced approach that considers all these factors is crucial for ensuring a stable, reliable, energy future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a recent development, the Biden administration, in concert with environmental groups and Native American tribes, has set in motion a plan that could lead to the removal of four hydroelectric dams in Washington state.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121246920,"featured_media":291809,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"In a recent development, the Biden administration, in concert with environmental groups and Native American tribes, has set in motion a plan that could lead to the removal of four hydroelectric dams in Washington state.","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[691818076,691825445,691825447,691825446,691818154,691819094,691818864],"class_list":["post-291805","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-co2","tag-electrical-supply","tag-grid-inertia","tag-hydroelectric-dams","tag-net-zero","tag-renewable-green-energy","tag-the-biden-administration","fallback-thumbnail"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/00117_met_SnakeRiver-1226x0-c-default.jpg?fit=1226%2C817&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paxLW1-1dUx","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":401954,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=401954","url_meta":{"origin":291805,"position":0},"title":"USDA\u2019s Rollins Warns Newsom for saving California\u2019s Dams","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"09\/13\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins warned California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday that the Trump administration intends to save several dams that the state intends to tear down.","rel":"","context":"In \"Brooke Rollins\"","block_context":{"text":"Brooke Rollins","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=brooke-rollins"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0AQO06jkNlG0HLgcTEiBMaK22YNyElaEBgL5KVx6kgA96dRa2X6XictNJWYU0Te9jEIMOYA0jqNWGEzWIQ-scbgGU_MxwiAvJpQkgbfPgQ20ChDVaGPmgeh8DtbGHpmBHe1Sz90Bcbv9gz0FDS83h6EmxWxzEGQ-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0AQO06jkNlG0HLgcTEiBMaK22YNyElaEBgL5KVx6kgA96dRa2X6XictNJWYU0Te9jEIMOYA0jqNWGEzWIQ-scbgGU_MxwiAvJpQkgbfPgQ20ChDVaGPmgeh8DtbGHpmBHe1Sz90Bcbv9gz0FDS83h6EmxWxzEGQ-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0AQO06jkNlG0HLgcTEiBMaK22YNyElaEBgL5KVx6kgA96dRa2X6XictNJWYU0Te9jEIMOYA0jqNWGEzWIQ-scbgGU_MxwiAvJpQkgbfPgQ20ChDVaGPmgeh8DtbGHpmBHe1Sz90Bcbv9gz0FDS83h6EmxWxzEGQ-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0AQO06jkNlG0HLgcTEiBMaK22YNyElaEBgL5KVx6kgA96dRa2X6XictNJWYU0Te9jEIMOYA0jqNWGEzWIQ-scbgGU_MxwiAvJpQkgbfPgQ20ChDVaGPmgeh8DtbGHpmBHe1Sz90Bcbv9gz0FDS83h6EmxWxzEGQ-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0AQO06jkNlG0HLgcTEiBMaK22YNyElaEBgL5KVx6kgA96dRa2X6XictNJWYU0Te9jEIMOYA0jqNWGEzWIQ-scbgGU_MxwiAvJpQkgbfPgQ20ChDVaGPmgeh8DtbGHpmBHe1Sz90Bcbv9gz0FDS83h6EmxWxzEGQ-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":383643,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=383643","url_meta":{"origin":291805,"position":1},"title":"Saving the Grid, Not the Slogans: Trump Halts Dam Demolition","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"06\/18\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"In a long-overdue course correction,\u00a0President Trump has pulled the plug on one of the Biden administration\u2019s more outlandish energy-environment stunts\u2014the so-called Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement. Heralded by green activists and their political patrons as a bold step for salmon recovery and \u201cclimate justice,\u201d the agreement was, in fact, a $1\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Biden Admin\"","block_context":{"text":"Biden Admin","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=biden-admin"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0Screenshot-2025-06-18-111952.png?fit=1200%2C732&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0Screenshot-2025-06-18-111952.png?fit=1200%2C732&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0Screenshot-2025-06-18-111952.png?fit=1200%2C732&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0Screenshot-2025-06-18-111952.png?fit=1200%2C732&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0Screenshot-2025-06-18-111952.png?fit=1200%2C732&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":271644,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=271644","url_meta":{"origin":291805,"position":2},"title":"Left Coast Closes the Dam\u00a0Lights","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"08\/05\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Removing the Copco 2 Dam takes deconstruction crews one step closer to drawdowns of the remaining three reservoirs next January.","rel":"","context":"In \"CO2\"","block_context":{"text":"CO2","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=co2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/0Copco-2-PacificCorp-web.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/0Copco-2-PacificCorp-web.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/0Copco-2-PacificCorp-web.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/0Copco-2-PacificCorp-web.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/0Copco-2-PacificCorp-web.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":332738,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=332738","url_meta":{"origin":291805,"position":3},"title":"The real threat to salmon isn\u2019t hydroelectric dams (ft. Todd Myers)","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"06\/13\/2024","format":false,"excerpt":"In Episode 438 of District of Conservation, Gabriella speaks with Todd Myers of Washington Policy Center. Todd discusses his work with WPC, why Washington State has wacky environmental policies, the importance of Washington Initiative 2117, his participation in Gabriella\u2019s forthcoming Conservation Nation video on hydropower, and much more.","rel":"","context":"In \"\u2060Snake and Columbia River dams\"","block_context":{"text":"\u2060Snake and Columbia River dams","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=%e2%81%a0snake-and-columbia-river-dams"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/00Todd-Gabriella-Hydropower.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/00Todd-Gabriella-Hydropower.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/00Todd-Gabriella-Hydropower.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/00Todd-Gabriella-Hydropower.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/00Todd-Gabriella-Hydropower.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":252690,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=252690","url_meta":{"origin":291805,"position":4},"title":"Biden’s 67% EV policy: a dictatorial attack on the American driver and the US grid","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"04\/14\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Biden's proposed mandate of 67% EVs in the 2030s is a dictatorial attack on the American driver and the US grid that will","rel":"","context":"In \"Biden\"","block_context":{"text":"Biden","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=biden"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/09f9857d1-967d-4cb9-94ac-e33a3ad2563f_746x441.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/09f9857d1-967d-4cb9-94ac-e33a3ad2563f_746x441.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/09f9857d1-967d-4cb9-94ac-e33a3ad2563f_746x441.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/09f9857d1-967d-4cb9-94ac-e33a3ad2563f_746x441.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":284186,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=284186","url_meta":{"origin":291805,"position":5},"title":"Milloy: Biden\u2019s Kamikaze Climate Plan for the US Economy","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"10\/20\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"First, China finally dropped its \u201cnet zero\u201d pose. The world\u2019s largest emitter had promised to reach net zero by 2060. China\u2019s primary goal is to become the lone global superpower by 2049. From Watts Up With That? Steve Milloy,\u00a0in his article for The Hill, presents a critical analysis of President\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"China\"","block_context":{"text":"China","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=china"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biden-burning-cash.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biden-burning-cash.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biden-burning-cash.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biden-burning-cash.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biden-burning-cash.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291805","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/121246920"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=291805"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291805\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":291811,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291805\/revisions\/291811"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/291809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=291805"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=291805"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=291805"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}