Rep. Dan Newhouse and Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez have introduced the Reliability to Ratepayers Act, a legislative proposal aimed at addressing workforce retention issues at the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). The bill empowers BPA to develop a comprehensive compensation plan for its employees by allowing the administrator to update compensation plans independently of civil service laws.
"Ensuring reliable and affordable energy for our communities requires a strong and capable workforce at the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)," stated Rep. Newhouse. He emphasized that the bill would provide BPA with flexibility in offering competitive compensation, which is essential for tackling hiring challenges and managing critical projects affecting families and businesses in the Pacific Northwest.
Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need to honor skilled workers through appropriate compensation to recruit and retain talent in public energy jobs. "By introducing the Reliability for Ratepayers Act with Congressman Newhouse, we’ll be able to address the critical workforce shortages in our federal power system," she said.
Scott Simms, CEO & Executive Director of the Public Power Council, expressed support for the legislation, noting that it encourages a competitive workforce crucial for preserving benefits of the Federal Columbia River Power System marketed by BPA. Spencer Gray from the Northwest & Intermountain Power Producers Coalition also praised the initiative as an important change Congress can make to improve the power sector in the Northwest.
Nicole Hughes, Executive Director of Renewable Northwest, added that supporting BPA's ability to hire and retain a well-trained workforce aligns with goals of electricity system decarbonization.
The full text of the bill is available online.
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