Oregon Public Broadcasting

Plans to tear down four dams on the Klamath River were buoyed Friday in Salem.

The House voted, 34-to-24, mostly along party lines, to approve a utility trust fund to pay for dam removal.

The bill allows utility company PacifiCorp to raise $180 million from hiking rates for Oregon customers.

The bill has been approved by both the House and Senate.

Yet, it isn’t headed to Governor Ted Kulongoski, even though the Democratic governor has said he will sign it.

In Friday's vote, the House added two amendments to clarify the cost to taxpayers.

James Honey is a program director at the group Sustainable Northwest.

James Honey: “If there had been no amendments, we’d have a bill headed off to the Governor’s desk. But we don’t see any harm being done to the bill, and frankly we’re happy that we’ve brought more parties to the table and be supportive.” 

Honey is involved in the Klamath Basin negotiations on behalf of tribes and farmers.

The bill is not yet scheduled for a vote in the Senate, but supporters are confident it will pass.