Sen. James Risch has been a champion for the Pacific Northwest and the clean, affordable, reliable electricity that comes from the region's hydropower, electric cooperative leaders say.

The Idaho Republican fought efforts by the Biden administration to breach the four Lower Snake River dams, which provide hydropower to more than 50 electric cooperatives in eight western states through the federal Bonneville Power Administration.

“Sen. Risch has been a great hero to us on this issue," says Will Hart, executive director of the Idaho Consumer-Owned Utilities Association, which represents electric co-ops and municipal utilities. “If the dams were breached, it would have made power much more costly for us."

In late 2023, the Biden administration reached a settlement agreement with environmental groups and tribal and state governments over the federal government's operation of the dams, which the groups said were threatening the survival of endangered salmon.

The settlement supported taking steps to breach the dams and replacing them with other types of renewable energy.

NRECA and its members warned Congress that efforts to breach the dams threatened the region's power supply at a time of growing demand and would hurt farmers and economically disadvantaged rural communities.

However, in a victory for Western co-ops, the Trump administration announced in June that it would halt efforts by the previous administration to breach the dams.

Risch has introduced legislation to codify that into law and permanently protect the Lower Snake River dams.

Early this year, Risch, together with Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., introduced the Northwest Energy Security Act to require the Bureau of Reclamation, Bonneville Power Administration and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ensure the Lower Snake River dams remain operational and continue to support the region's energy needs.

“The Lower Snake River dams are indispensable to the Northwest, and efforts to breach them are profoundly misguided," Risch said when he introduced the bill in January.

“These dams provide reliable, clean hydropower while supporting critical transportation, agriculture, and irrigation that sustains our region. My Northwest Energy Security Act protects our region's federal dams so that they continue to power Idaho's homes and economy for generations."

Hart says Risch, a senior member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, understands the connection between hydropower and Idaho's economic success.

“He sees that direct link between Idaho's great economy and the fact that we have some of the lowest energy prices in the country. He's really led the charge on hydropower for the entire Pacific Northwest."

The senator also sees the value of electric co-ops to Idaho, and his staff reaches out regularly to the statewide association to seek the co-op perspective on key energy issues, Hart said.

“When we meet with him, the first thing he always asks is, 'What do you need me to do?' And if a bill is being considered that could affect us, he'll reach out to ask, 'Where are the co-ops on this?'"

Risch says Idaho's electric co-ops “are pillars in the communities they serve, playing a critical role in providing our rural areas reliable and affordable power."

“I am honored to represent the people of Idaho in the U.S. Senate and work with local electric cooperatives to strengthen and defend important energy assets that power the Gem State."

The senator is “Idaho through and through," Hart said.

“He takes Idaho values to heart. I think he wakes up every day and asks himself, 'What are we going to get done today?' He doesn't have a lot of patience for the gridlock in Washington."

Risch, who is currently serving his third term in the Senate, is chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.

Before his election to the U.S. Senate in 2008, he served as the 31st governor of Idaho. He also served as Republican majority leader and president pro tempore in the Idaho state Senate and as lieutenant governor. He began his career as an elected official by serving as Ada County's prosecuting attorney.

Risch attended the University of Idaho, where he received a bachelor's degree in forestry and a law degree.

He lives on a ranch outside Boise with Vicki, his wife of more than 50 years. They have three grown sons and nine grandchildren.