Competition between irrigation and hydropower water use in Washington State

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5869729

Findeis, J L

Estimation of the trade-offs between irrigation and hydrogeneration were made using an updated version of the 1972 Washington State input-output model. Two irrigation projects encompasssing 796,000 acres were chosen for study: the East High Project and the Horse Heaven Hills. If both projects are undertaken, an estimated $209 million (1972 prices) in additional agricultural output will be produced annually. However, irrigation also implies substantial electricity losses due to (1) the energy used for irrigation and (2) the energy lost through water diversions. If this power is replaced by thermal power, wholesale electricity rates in Washington State will increase by as much as 43% above 1980 levels. Input-output analysis was used to measure the statewide impacts of simultaneous increases in electricity rates and agricultural output, and to assess the distributional effects of additional irrigation. Results indicate that even with higher electricity rates, aggregate state output, employment, and income will increase due to irrigation development. However, the distributional impacts will be significant: the agricultural community and those sectors closely related to agriculture will be the primary beneficiaries, while all electricity consumers must pay higher electricity costs. If both projects are undertaken, residential electricity bills will increase by $11.36 per person per year, while certain industries will experience net residual income losses. Net residual income losses in the aluminum industry alone will equal $18 million (1972 dollars) annually.

• OSTI ID: 5869729
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
130500 -- Hydro Energy-- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290400* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Resources
296000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
COMPETITION
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION X
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
INPUT-OUTPUT ANALYSIS
IRRIGATION
NORTH AMERICA
POWER
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
RESOURCES
USA
WASHINGTON
WATER RESOURCES