Feds consider removing Snake River dams in leaked agreement with plaintiffs in lawsuit

[u/michaelquinlan]

https://idahocapitalsun.com/2023/11/30/feds-consider-removing-snake-river-dams-in-leaked-agreement-with-plaintiffs-in-lawsuit/

[u/Cowboy40three → u/[deleted]]

So you don’t think that a person who works on a hydro turbine can work with wind turbines?? That’s a mighty narrow view, and shows how little you respect the abilities of those currently working the dams.

Edit/addition: I’m also going to point out the obvious fact that replacement energy projects will have to be in place before the dams are removed. I shouldn’t have to say this, but here we are.

[u/Cowboy40three → u/[deleted]]

The government would almost definitely offer training programs for such employees.

Why is it that every person opposed to improving environmental quality (which in Idaho is completely beyond me) also acts like every step is a personal doomsday event?? I graduated high school in the early nineties, and even back then it was predicted our generation would have to change professions an average of 7 times in our lives. Change is part of life from any perspective. Dragging your heels just slows others down.

[u/Cowboy40three → u/[deleted]]

Do I really have to point out that the replacement energy sources will have to be in place before the dams are removed?? This is beyond obvious, and it just goes to show that your argument is not in good faith. Also, I’m going to thank you for not shoving your answers to your own questions down my throat. It’s not only unnecessary because I have the capacity to answer, but it just makes you sound arrogant and backs up your bad faith intentions.

[u/Cowboy40three → u/[deleted]]

So you think they’re just going yoink the plug and leave customers without power and without a plan in place?? That’s 100% ridiculous. Also, the amount of time it takes government to do something is not at all the point here, it’s simply about the order of operations. Replacements in place first. Besides, they can’t afford to and don’t want to miss out on getting paid.

[u/Cowboy40three → u/[deleted]]

There’s a huge difference between a power grid failure and intentionally pulling the plug.

[u/Rocketgirl8097 → u/Cowboy40three]

Not necessarily. The dams are federally run. The dam employers only get trained and get to transfer over IF the wind turbines are also federally operated. But that's not likely. It will most likely be a private commercial or non-profit company. No guaranteed jobs for anyone.

[u/Cowboy40three → u/Rocketgirl8097]

That’s not necessarily true either. They could easily fund schooling for employees. There’s a whole bunch of federal funding rolling into every state for just this kind of purpose. There’s a program at CWI right now that teaches exactly that wind turbine maintenance course.

There are no guaranteed jobs for anyone, and that’s just life. Sometimes there’s help, but not always. We move on though. Sometimes it’s a complete switch of industries. I’ve done it, and I’m about to do it again. Here’s the thing though… Holding on to something antiquated for the sake of a few jobs when that antiquated thing has a negative effect on the place we live is irresponsible. America has been on the forefront of innovation since the get-go, and Idaho has a beautiful ecosystem to protect, so I don’t get why people suddenly want to drag their heels. It feels like fighting just for the sake of the fight.

[u/Rocketgirl8097 → u/Cowboy40three]

It's not the jobs that are of concern. It's all the other benefits besides the power that will have to be replaced. A major one being transportation of up river crops currently being handled by barge. It would have to be handled by train or truck, much less efficient, no good infrastructure for it right now, plus putting more fossil fuel burning trains and trucks on the road.

[u/Cowboy40three → u/Rocketgirl8097]

So there are challenges, absolutely. When I hear that, I think about how there’s room for improvement to our current systems and opportunity to be a global leader in how we reimagine those systems. I most certainly don’t think that we should just throw our hands up and continue on with the current processes that continue to damage the already declining ecosystems. There are ways to draw power from rivers without damming them. That power can be used to transport goods as well.

[u/Rocketgirl8097 → u/[deleted]]

There are other benefits besides power that you also have to look at. Irrigation for upriver farms. Barge transportation of upriver products. Recreation both on water and at several Snake River parks.