The agency that oversees the regional power plan and fish and wildlife program for four Western states has elected its chairwoman for 2012, and she’s a familiar face for Clatsop County residents.

Members of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council elected Joan Dukes as its chair for 2012. The former Clatsop County Commissioner and state senator has served on the council since 2005, and for three nonconsecutive years as its vice chairwoman.

Dukes says she looks forward to chairing the council, which is responsible for long-term power planning in the Northwest and for protecting and enhancing fish and wildlife in the Columbia River Basin.

The council is composed of two representatives from each of its member states: Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.

“It means a lot to me that my colleagues elected me, and they wanted me to help frame the discussion for next year,” Dukes said. “We work with a lot of other [agencies]. And we do stay in contact with Congress because, after all, they created us.”

Congress’ Northwest Power Act of 1980 authorized the formation of the council, which is tasked with giving citizens of Western states a voice in federal power and conservation discussions. The council’s mission is to make decisions about energy policies that relate to the Columbia River and its tributaries.

A Svensen resident, Dukes previously served as a state senator from 1987 until 2004 when former Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski appointed her to the council. At the time of her appointment, Kulongoski called Dukes a “distinguished leader” and said her “experience in the Senate has prepared her to strengthen Oregon’s partnership with our neighboring states on critical natural resource issues.”

As one of Oregon’s two representatives, she serves alongside former Oregon Secretary of State and state Sen. Bill Bradbury, who focuses on regulatory issues relating to power.

Dukes specializes in fish and wildlife conservation, such as overseeing the Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. The program mandates that the BPA pay for the restoration and conservation of wildlife endangered by the administration’s dams.

The BPA pays about $220 million a year in fish and wildlife mitigation.

In her seven years on the board, Dukes has positioned herself as more than just an expert on protecting fish and wildlife.

“By virtue of being on the council, she has good knowledge of power issues,” said John Harrison, a spokesman for the council, adding that Dukes has shown considerable leadership.

A major conservation issue for Dukes in 2012 is protecting so-called resident fish – such as coho, kokanee and sturgeon. Resident fish do not return to the ocean, and protecting them is an issue important to Idaho and Montana, Dukes said.

She said she will continue to review the council’s conservation plan, as well.

Those who work closely with the council welcome the new chairwoman.

“We look forward to her leadership,” said Scott Corwin, executive director of the Public Power Council, an organization that advocates for consumer-owned electric utilities.

Because utility districts purchase the bulk of their power from the BPA, partially regulated by the council, Corwin said it’s essential to have a strong partnership with the council.

Under Duke’s watch, Corwin said, he believes there will be the proper intersection of conservation and power regulations.