Articles

# What They Are Saying: President Trump Stops Radical Environmentalism to Generate Power for the Columbia River Basin

The White House
June 13, 2025

President Donald J. Trump took bold action to revoke the Biden Administration’s “Restoring Healthy and Abundant Salmon, Steelhead, and Other Native Fish Populations in the Columbia River Basin” Memorandum, which would have eliminated secure and reliable energy sources.

Key administration officials, Members of Congress, and industry leaders are supporting President Trump’s action to restore common sense to the Columbia River Basin:

Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum: “This administration will not stand by while American energy is threatened. We are fiercely committed to keeping energy affordable, reliable, and made in America. Today, President Trump took decisive action revoking a Biden-era policy that jeopardized four critical hydroelectric dams powering communities along the Snake River. Now is not the time to shut down American energy. Instead, we’re keeping the lights on, costs low, and putting the American people first.”

Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright: “The Snake River Dams have been tremendous assets to the Pacific Northwest for decades, providing high-value electricity to millions of American families and businesses. With this action, President Trump is bringing back common sense, reversing the dangerous and costly energy subtraction policies pursued by the last administration. American taxpayer dollars will not be spent dismantling critical infrastructure, reducing our energy-generating capacity or on radical nonsense policies that dramatically raise prices on the American people.”

Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick: “For far too long, we’ve sidelined America’s energy potential in the name of politicized programs that had nothing to do with real conservation efforts and hurt our farmers, fishers, and producers. President Trump’s actions today will give families access to reliable, affordable energy and redefine how we safeguard our environment.”

Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, D. Lee Forsgren: “Under President Trump’s leadership, the Army Corps is eager to work with our federal partners to advance American energy dominance and provide vital flood risk management, navigation, hydropower generation, water supply and recreation benefits to the Pacific Northwest and the nation.”

White House Council on Environmental Quality Chief of Staff, Katherine Scarlett: “President Trump has once again showcased his commitment to unleash American energy dominance and prioritize policies that work for everyday Americans. The Council on Environmental Quality stands ready to coordinate with agencies to save millions of dollars of federal funds that would have otherwise been wasted on misguided policies, hindering the advancement of reliable energy sources.”

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (ID): “President Trump is demonstrating once again his commitment to listening to the will of people on the ground and the sound science that backs the current state of the dams. The Biden Administration’s controversial proposal was doomed from the start. The flawed initiative ignored congressional authority over the dams, as well as the views and feedback of regional stakeholders and constituents in Idaho. The path forward for a solution to salmon recovery must include a truly collaborative approach that involves all—including both public and private—stakeholders in the region.”

U.S. Senator Steve Daines (MT): “The Snake River Dams support agriculture production, provide a reliable energy source, and provide critical transportation. Biden’s Columbia River Memorandum was an attempt to breach the dams and appease radical environmentalist groups, with Montana communities left to pay the price. I’m grateful for President Trump’s leadership in revoking this damaging policy and for his consistent track record of supporting Montana-first priorities.”

U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (WY): “For far too long, the Biden administration’s anti-American energy policies stifled American energy production and burdened western communities. I applaud President Trump’s decision to restore common-sense energy policies that will unleash our nation’s vast natural resources and create good-paying jobs while strengthening America’s energy independence and national security. The west has long been ready to lead America’s energy renaissance, and the Trump administration’s commitment to removing regulatory barriers will benefit not just our region, but all Americans who deserve affordable, reliable energy.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​“

U.S. Senator Jim Risch (ID): “The Biden administration’s one-sided, backroom agreement blatantly disregarded the essential role the lower Snake River dams play and the Idaho communities that rely on them. Today’s announcement by President Trump represents a return to sound science and common-sense. I’ve long fought the attempts by radical Democrats, unelected bureaucrats, and activist litigants to tear down our dams. Congress authorized these dams, and only Congress has the power to remove them.”

U.S. Representative Cliff Bentz (OR-02): “I have worked for more than 30 years to protect the irreplaceable Columbia River hydropower electrical system. The Biden Administration did its best to initiate the destruction of that system through improper manipulation of environmental laws and policies. This manipulation was reflected in a memorandum of understanding. Thankfully, President Trump has revoked the Biden Administration’s “Restoring Healthy and Abundant Salmon, Steelhead, and Other Native Fish Populations in the Columbia River Basin” Memorandum. This was exactly the right thing to do and provides a foundation for protection of the Four Lower Snake River dams. The President’s order is totally consistent with our nation’s fight to win the race for artificial intelligence, superiority, and energy dominance. The people of nation and especially the rate payers of the Northwest are incredibly grateful for this action.”

U.S. Representative Russ Fulcher (ID-01): “President Trump’s action to revoke the misguided 2023 Biden memorandum, which quietly laid the groundwork for breaching the Lower Snake River dams, puts a stop to an alarming effort to bypass Congress. I applaud this decision for standing up and responding to those of us who called on the Administration to stop this reckless attempt to tear out critical infrastructure in the West!”

U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (WA-04): “Throughout my time in Congress, I have stood firm in my support for the Lower Snake River Dams and the critical role they play in our region’s economy. Today’s action by President Trump reverses the efforts by the Biden administration and extreme environmental activists to remove the dams, which would have threatened the reliability of our power grid, raised energy prices, and decimated our ability to export grain to foreign markets. I want to thank the President for his decisive action to protect our dams, and I look forward to continuing to work with the administration for the benefit of the Fourth District.”

Idaho Lt. Governor, Scott Bedke: “The Lower Snake River dams are essential to Idaho’s way of life. They provide irrigation, energy, and access to markets. The Biden plan threatened all of that without real input from the people who would have paid the price. President Trump is right to shut down the deal. Idaho is ready to help unleash America’s energy dominance.”

National Grain and Feed Association, Mike Seyfert, President and CEO: “We applaud the Trump administration’s leadership in rescinding the 2023 directives and recognizing the fact that these dams are critical to transporting U.S. grain and oilseeds to global markets. One barge tow moves the equivalent of 140 rail cars or 538 trucks – infrastructure that cannot be easily replaced. Breaching the dams would have caused a ripple effect throughout the U.S. agricultural value chain, and a significantly negative impact on U.S. exports and the rural economy.”

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Jim Matheson, CEO: “President Trump’s announcement smartly helps preserve affordable, reliable electricity for families and businesses across the Pacific Northwest,” Matheson said. “Hydroelectric power is the reason the lights stay on in the region. And as demand for electricity surges across the nation, preserving access to always-available energy resources like hydropower is absolutely crucial. We appreciate the administration’s continuing commitment to smart energy policies and unleashing American energy.”

Northwest Public Power Association, Kurt Miller, Executive Director and CEO: “This withdrawal is a necessary course correction toward energy reliability, affordability, and transparency.”

Northwest RiverPartners, Clark Mather, Executive Director: “Now is the time to come together and chart a sustainable path toward effective solutions that protect salmon and maintain affordable and reliable hydropower needed by millions of people in the Pacific Northwest. This politicized agreement between the former administration and only a fraction of impacted sovereign entities, devalued hydropower, our region’s largest source of affordable, clean electricity. Northwest RiverPartners remains committed to working with all sovereign Tribes, state leaders and other stakeholders to identify science-based, durable solutions.”

Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, Neil Maunu, Executive Director: “The divisive issue of dam breaching has prevented the type of partnerships necessary to work together on productive strategies and actions to improve salmon populations for the benefit of all Pacific Northwest residents. We can have salmon and a robust economy at the same time.”

Washington Association of Wheat Growers, Michelle Hennings, Executive Director: “The livelihood of Washington wheat growers and rural communities depends on their ability to utilize key benefits from the Columbia River System, including transportation, irrigation, and reliable energy, but without the Lower Snake River dams that won’t be possible. We look forward to working with the federal government and all policymakers to ensure dams and salmon can continue to coexist, and we stand firm in our support of sound science and reliable data to make informed decisions.”

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