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In the 1980's, for example, litigation nearly brought power production at Glen Canyon Dam to a halt. Eventually, this resulted in an approximately 14 -year, $104 million study of the environmental effects of Glen Canyon Dam operations. This amounted to more than twice the cost of the construction of Flaming Gorge Dam in 1963. Subsequent restrictions on reservoir operations required the release of stored water when power usage and demand is lowest. As a result, Glen Canyon lost over 30% of its capacity or enough power to serve over 250,000 homes (approximately 390 MW). Since these restrictions were placed on Glen Canyon, the Aspinall Unit reservoirs in Western Colorado now provide up to 50% of the peaking power in the CRSP system. But an ongoing EIS process, recreational demands, and related flow recommendations for the listed fish species, could place even more restraints on power. Environmental restrictions may call for holding water when power demands are high and releasing water when demands are low. For example, biological opinions (BOs) and records of decision (RODs) on Glen Canyon and Flaming Gorge have severely impacted hydropower production. And flow recommendations for the Gunnison River could eliminate the ability to produce this renewable energy when it is most needed. Fortunately, flow recommendations are only one way of achieving environmental benefits. Others include carefully- managed reservoir operations that protect hydropower generation. For example, in wet years, water at risk of spill could be bundled and released to move sediment and improve habitat for native fish downstream. In this way, the reservoirs can still store water and produce renewable hydropower. The alternative, operating reservoirs in a way that mimics pre -dam conditions, would compromise the purposes for which these federal treasures were constructed and would be devastating to the towns, communities, and Native American Nations that rely on them. When environmental restrictions, drought, or other restraints affect hydropower production, Western must purchase replacement power to meet its contractual obligations from the energy market which may include nonrenewable resources. This results in additional environmental impacts and higher power prices. In 1998, Western estimated the cost of environmental restrictions at $44 million per year. During the summer of 2000, when Glen Canyon reduced hydropower generation for humpback chub, the cost of replacement power was $32 million. From 1999 to 2004, Western spent nearly half a billion dollars (nearly $100 million per year) to purchase replacement power. These costs are borne by power customers through their power rates. The Bureau and Western must carefully consider all of these issues when considering new operational regimes for CRSP reservoirs. They must also abide by the purposes for which these reservoirs were created and authorized some fifty years ago. CRSP Generation After Glen Canyon ROD and Flaming Gorge BO 1,600 1,600 1,200 — 1,200 ®gspi Hall f: 800 800 ■ Flaming Gorge' ❑ Glen Canyon 400 400 Load 0 0 \S °� A�3� ��a �r� ��• 5�� Day of Week Courtesy of Western Area Power Association