The BPA now markets the electricity from 31 hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River and her tributaries as well as one nuclear power plant at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. It has more than 15,000 miles of electrical lines and 300 substations. They also maintain connection lines between other power grids in Canada and the southwestern United States.
The power generated on the BPA's grid is sold to public utilities, private utilities and industry on the grid. The excess is sold to other grids in Canada, California and other regions. Because they are a public entity they sell their electricity at coast and not market prices. They also regulate flow of water in the Columbia River and take on environmental projects such as salmon replenishment.