[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2066]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GRAND COULEE DAM

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 2008

  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
75th AnnIversary of the building of Grand Coulee Dam.
  If you have ever visited Grand Coulee Dam you know just how 
impressive of a structure it is. It is the largest concrete structure 
in the United States with enough concrete to build a sidewalk around 
the world--twice. During the summer, you can learn the history of the 
Columbia River by watching a laser light show displayed on the dam.
  Although Grand Coulee Dam initially helped us win World War II it 
continues to play a critical role in the national and economic security 
of the United States by providing vital electric power and water to 
grow our food.
  The Pacific Northwest serves as an example of good energy policy. You 
can't get any better than clean, renewable hydropower. As the Ranking 
Republican on the Water and Power Subcommittee, I am working hard to 
tell the good news story about hydropower.
  That is why I was so pleased to see the Today Show highlighting Grand 
Coulee Dam and the positive impact it has had in the Pacific Northwest 
and more specifically Spokane.
  Hydroelectric dams across the West and especially in Washington State 
have provided us with an abundant supply of clean, affordable, and 
renewable energy. In fact, dams provide nearly two-thirds of our 
state's electricity. These dams have kept the Pacific Northwest's 
``carbon footprint'' at half that of the rest of the Nation. Removal of 
the four lower Snake River dams would add 5.4 million tons of 
CO2 to the atmosphere each year and it would take three 
nuclear, six coal-fired, or 14 gas fired power plants to replace their 
electricity generation.
  At a time of growing energy demand, it makes no sense to throw this 
energy source away. I am committed, as we move forward with the debate 
on global climate change, and how to reduce our carbon emissions, that 
hydropower be recognized for the important role it has played in the 
Pacific Northwest.
  In addition, the water provided from the Columbia Basin Project, 
supplies more than 500,000 acres of farmland and helps make Washington 
second only to California in the number of crops grown totaling more 
than 250 different commodities.

                          ____________________