Newhouse, Gluesenkamp Perez Lead Effort to Retain Workforce at BPA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez introduced the Reliability to Ratepayers Act to address hiring and retention issues at the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). This bill directs the BPA to develop a comprehensive compensation plan for all employees by allowing the administrator to review and update compensation plans without regard to civil service laws. 

“Ensuring reliable and affordable energy for our communities requires a strong and capable workforce at the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA),” said Rep. Newhouse.

Newhouse continues, “This legislation provides BPA with the flexibility to offer competitive compensation, address hiring and retention challenges, and tackle the backlog of critical projects that impact families and businesses across the Pacific Northwest. By updating BPA’s compensation structure to match industry standards, we can ensure the agency is well-positioned to deliver the reliability ratepayers deserve while strengthening our region's energy future."

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez said, “As a small business owner, I know how investing in high-quality work pays off over time. As I go out and speak with skilled workers across our communities, I see a lot of gray hair. When we can address critical workforce shortages in our federal power system, we’re able to address much-needed, overdue projects that can keep rates down for hardworking Southwest Washington families. I’m introducing the Reliability for Ratepayers Act with Congressman Newhouse to recruit and retain folks in essential public energy jobs by honoring their hard work and skill through appropriate compensation.”

“The mission of the Public Power Council is to preserve and enhance the benefits of the Federal Columbia River Power System marketed by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) for both consumer-owned utilities and the communities they serve.  In recent years, the ability of BPA to recruit and retain talented employees has become increasingly more difficult given that BPA salaries are not commensurate with similar positions throughout the region,” said Scott Simms, CEO and Executive Director of the Public Power Council. “The legislation introduced today by Reps. Gluesenkamp Perez and Newhouse goes a long way toward encouraging a competitive and talented workforce for the betterment of the region. PPC applauds bipartisan work and the continued commitment of ensuring reliable, affordable power for the Northwest.”

“Providing BPA with the authority to competitively compensate staff is critical to supporting the region's transmission system and creating new economic development opportunities,” said Nicole Hughes, Executive Director of Renewable Northwest.

“Providing BPA with the authority to competitively compensate its staff is one of the most important changes Congress can make to improve the power sector in the Northwest and ensure more transmission gets built,” said Spencer Gray, Executive Director of the Northwest and Intermountain Power Producers Coalition. “Independent power producers deeply appreciate the bipartisan leadership of Reps. Gluesenkamp Perez, Newhouse, and their colleagues in pursuing this legislation.”

Full bill text can be found here. 

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