Published: Thursday, May 6, 2021 Reps. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.). Photo credit: Francis Chung/E&E News Reps. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), seen here on Capitol Hill, spoke yesterday about ambitious dam removal legislation. Francis Chung/E&E News Idaho Republican Rep. Mike Simpson found an unlikely partner this week in his quest to tear down four dams and remake the Pacific Northwest's energy system: Oregon Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenauer. "I am cautiously optimistic," Blumenauer said, calling Simpson's proposal a "blueprint." "I am looking forward to seeing if we can hammer something out." In February, Simpson released a controversial framework that would reshape the regional hydropower-centric energy system and, he said, hopefully save the region's iconic salmon from going extinct.