Bpa.gov is Bonneville Power Administration, headquartered
Title
Bonneville Power Administration
Description
If you live in the Pacific Northwest, chances are you use electricity marketed and delivered by the Bonneville Power Administration – best known as BPA. BPA is a federal agency headquartered in Portland, Ore., that markets wholesale electricity and transmission to the Pacific Northwest’s public and private utilities as well as to some large industries.
While BPA is part of the Department of Energy, it is not tax-supported through government appropriations. Instead, BPA recovers all of its costs through sales of electricity and transmission and repays the U.S. Treasury in full with interest for any money it borrows.
Because BPA markets energy and transmission at cost, rather than at market prices, it has traditionally provided some of the lowest cost electricity in the nation. This low-cost power has been a cornerstone of the Northwest economy, stimulating growth and new jobs. BPA also funds measures to protect and enhance fish and wildlife populations affected by hydropower development. In addition, the agency provides a number of public benefits including incentives for energy conservation programs and research and development of renewable resources and promising technologies, such as fuel cells. BPA also works with other federal agencies to coordinate operations of the Federal Columbia River Power System to ensure maximum efficiency in the system and minimum environmental impacts.
