About & careers

Affordable

As a self-funding, nonprofit federal power marketing administration within the Department of Energy, BPA covers its costs by selling its products and services. This cost-based model allows BPA to offer affordable power and transmission services that drive the region’s economy.

Carbon-free

The federal hydropower system is the Pacific Northwest’s biggest source of clean energy. BPA markets wholesale electrical power from 31 federal dams in the Northwest that are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. We also market power from one nonfederal nuclear plant and several small nonfederal power plants. The nonfederal nuclear plant, Columbia Generating Station, is owned and operated by Energy Northwest.

Reliable

Hydropower is one of the most reliable sources of energy. Plus, BPA operates and maintains about 15,000 miles of high-voltage transmission in its service territory. We use industry-leading asset management practices to keep the lights on and restore power quickly if there are interruptions. BPA’s territory includes Idaho, Oregon, Washington, western Montana and small parts of eastern Montana, California, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.

Environmentally sustainable

BPA funds regional efforts to mitigate the impacts of the federal dams on the region’s fish and wildlife species.