To The Editor,
In just over three years, Biden’s major accomplishments resulted in dozens of benefits for Americans, despite obstruction from congressional Republicans. Five accomplishments benefiting the Pacific Northwest and you:
National grid expansion and modernization will benefit all Americans by 1) eliminating rolling brownouts in some states when power demands surge unexpectedly—becoming worse due to climate change and increasing power demands. 2) enabling long-term energy abundance,3) expanding clean energy generation and distribution, 4) maintaining a relatively low cost of electricity, and 5) lower electricity costs will translate to lower food prices and lower cost of American-made goods. https://bit.ly/44GT0hq
Bridge reconstruction using American-made materials. Interstate-5 includes a critical bridge connection between Oregon and Washington that supports local jobs and families, and a vital trade route for regional, national and international economies. The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program will receive $1.4 Billion to replace two aging vertical lift bridges over the Columbia River https://bit.ly/3B4KVIN (¶6).
The 100-year-old bridge, connecting Hood River, OR and White Salmon, WA, requires millions of dollars in annual maintenance due to its age. Its obsolete design poses challenges for drivers and barge operators alike. The new bridge will boost business and the agriculture industry in The Gorge area https://bit.ly/4epx7a5.
Both replacement bridges will be seismically resilient and will support driving, walking, biking, and rolling. Light-rail transit on Interstate 5 will connect Washington and Oregon.
Rural Broadband services in The Gorge are inadequate for high-speed Internet (broadband) access, which is essential for education, healthcare, remote work, and economic development. The infrastructure bill 1) dedicates significant funds to expanding rural broadband infrastructure, and 2) provides for affordable broadband services for low-income households. https://bit.ly/4gr3Opx
Funding for offshore wind generators http://bit.ly/3z1BqWy. Developing only 10% of Washington State’s off-shore wind generation potential would yield 15 times more power than all three proposed Klickitat County megasolar farms combined! And over 7 times more peak power per turbine than land-based wind generators https://bit.ly/3Uz4QFP.
Biden’s Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative is the first step toward resolving 30 years of legal battles to save Snake River salmon from extinction and ultimately remove the four dams that are causing the extinctions. Seattle Times, https://bit.ly/49cw1fE.
-Steve Heitmann
