NARUC's Winter Policy Summit
Michael Simpson (R-ID), is Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development at the House Appropriations Committee, and a member of the Interior and Environment Subcommittee. Paul Kjellander is the president of NARUC.
The 2021 NARUC Winter Policy Summit was held virtually and presided over by President Paul Kjellander. The Summit was an online success, with well attended sessions and panels on a slew of fascinating topics.
The Keynote speaker at Wednesday's general session was Rep. Michael (Mike) Simpson (R-ID), House Appropriations Committee, Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and member Interior and Environment Subcommittee. Simpson engaged in a lively Q&A session with NARUC President Paul Kjellander.
NARUC President, and President, Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Paul Kjellander: Welcome to today's first general session. We're going to focus on energy and utilities policy starting with United States Congressmen Mike Simpson, who represents Idaho's second district.
As a side note, Mike was speaker of the house when I served in the Idaho legislature in the 1990s. You released an energy and salmon recovery concept that includes the removal of several dams on the Snake River. Can you share why you think the time is right to move in this direction?
U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID): This is a comprehensive proposal; one we've been working on for about three years. My staff and I have had close to four hundred meetings with organizations, stakeholders, groups, power companies, utilities, farmers, organizations, and shippers, in the Pacific Northwest.