PHOTOS: Gluesenkamp Perez Visits Cowlitz Falls Hydroelectric Facility, Attends Morton Loggers’ Jubilee

MORTON, WA – Recently, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) toured the Cowlitz Falls Hydroelectric Facility in Randle and attended the 82nd Morton Loggers’ Jubilee.  

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez was joined by Dave Fenn and Mike Hadaller, Commissioners at Lewis County PUD, and Joe First, Generation Manager at Lewis County PUD. They discussed how Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez can support the work that takes place at Cowlitz Falls Hydroelectric Facility – from promoting the trades to investing in durable parts for the facility.

“The hydroelectric power generated at Cowlitz Falls helps hardworking families in Southwest Washington keep the lights on at a cost that doesn’t break the bank,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “It was great to see the Cowlitz Falls Hydroelectric Facility up close today and learn more about how I can best support the skilled workers that keep it running and get more kids involved in trades.” 

Last year, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez led introduction of the bipartisan Reliability for Ratepayers Act, which would lower consumer energy costs in Southwest Washington by helping the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) recruit and retain skilled workers, which will support system-wide reliability and help address a years-long backlog of utility projects that could bring down costs for ratepayers.

The Congresswoman has helped bring home more than $32.6 million for PUDs to invest in rural broadband and clean water and wastewater infrastructure across Southwest Washington. 

In February, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez held a public roundtable with PUDs from across Southwest Washington – including Lewis County PUD – to discuss how they can work together to support reliable, low-cost public power.

“This was the third year in a row I’ve been able to attend the Morton Loggers’ Jubilee and join in celebration of the skill, hardwork, and culture that makes our communities special,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “Southwest Washington’s timber heritage is a point of pride for all of us. It’s important that the next generation of skilled workers have the support they need to work in our woods and carry that legacy forward.” 

The forest products industry is one of the U.S. economy’s largest manufacturing sectors, supporting over 930,000 families and contributing $295 billion annually. Consumers rely on loggers, haulers, pulp and paper mills, paper packaging plants, and lumber facilities to manufacture a variety of everyday products.

Earlier this year, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez introduced the bipartisan Jobs in the Woods Act, which will connect young people with rewarding careers and training in forestry. The bill would create a grant program for nonprofit organizations, state governments, and colleges to utilize for workforce training in forestry-related fields – helping prepare students for jobs in the U.S. Forest Service and in the timber industry.

Following the President’s Executive Order to increase domestic lumber production on federal lands, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez expressed support for an approach that prioritizes small, independent logging, trucking, and mill operators.

Earlier this year, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s provisions were signed into law to extend eligibility for the Forest Service’s Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) for federal forest restoration and management projects to Tribes and counties to increase opportunities for cross-boundary restoration. In March, she introduced the bipartisan Community Wood Facilities Assistance Act to improve markets for forest products.

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