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Washington, D.C. – Home Power and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) right now launched the Hydropower Clear Power Future Act to develop clear, renewable, dependable, and reasonably priced hydropower manufacturing in America, in addition to to advertise the innovation of the following era of hydroelectric know-how.
“As the most important supply of fresh, renewable vitality within the nation, hydropower is essential to successful the long run and lowering emissions. In my dwelling state of Washington, hydropower accounts for practically 70 p.c of electrical energy generated within the state. The Hydropower Clear Power Future Act preserves our present hydropower fleet and brings extra energy on-line by reforming the licensing course of and selling the innovation essential to usher within the subsequent era of hydro know-how. At present, solely 3 p.c of dams in America produce electrical energy. By leveraging this untapped potential for extra hydropower vitality, this laws may assist us double hydropower manufacturing within the U.S. with out constructing a single new dam.”
The Hydropower Clear Power Future Act:
- Confirms that hydropower is an important renewable vitality useful resource for all Individuals by making certain that electrical energy produced from hydropower qualifies as a renewable useful resource for all federal packages and procurement necessities.
- Reforms the Federal Power Regulatory Fee (FERC) licensing course of to guard present hydropower assets and encourage the event of small and next-generation initiatives by:
- Affirming a 2-year licensing course of for subsequent era hydropower assets;
- Exempting small hydropower initiatives that shouldn’t have important environmental impacts;
- Exempting closed-loop pumped storage initiatives that don’t make the most of federal land or impound navigable waters; and
- Selling innovation in turbine design and producing know-how to enhance efficiency and effectivity whereas defending environmental assets and fish.
- Removes obstacles to quickly increasing hydropower growth by figuring out electrical energy market guidelines and possession fashions that encourage growth of standard, pumped storage, conduit, and rising hydropower applied sciences.
- Acknowledges hydropower’s contributions to a extra steady and dependable electrical grid, by selling its use to assist steadiness electrical energy provide and demand and combine intermittent energy sources cost-effectively.
- Addresses development obstacles the hydropower business has confronted as a result of COVID-19 pandemic by extending the time by which a mission should begin development after receiving its license.
The Hydropower Clear Power Future Act is supported by the next organizations:
“This invoice acknowledges the essential position of hydropower in establishing a resilient, clear electrical energy grid, by enhancing the needlessly burdensome FERC hydropower licensing course of. By improved choice making and coordination amongst all stakeholders, this laws addresses the extreme time, price and uncertainty related to the present course of. With nearly half of the non-federal fleet up for relicensing, this invoice will defend and develop worthwhile hydropower property in an environmentally accountable method. Rep. McMorris Rogers has been a protracted standing hydropower champion and we thank her for persevering with to push for licensing reform.” – Malcolm Woolf, CEO & President of the Nationwide Hydropower Affiliation
“Hydropower is a clear, dependable, and ample supply of energy for communities throughout our nation. The Hydropower Clear Power Future Act will make sure that we unleash our hydropower capabilities to safe American vitality and cut back emissions. The American Conservation Coalition Motion thanks Chairwoman McMorris Rodgers for her management on clear vitality.” – Christopher Barnard, VP of Exterior Affairs on the American Conservation Coalition Motion
“Hydroelectric energy is a dependable, reasonably priced, and clear type of vitality that helps Pacific Northwest households and companies. As a useful resource that may be deployed at a second’s discover, hydropower helps stop blackouts throughout excessive climate occasions and helps reliability throughout the Western United States when there are peaks in demand. Hydropower relicensing reform is significant, and we’re lucky that Rep. McMorris Rodgers acknowledges this worthwhile asset and continues advocating for the way forward for clear hydropower in the US.” – Kurt Miller, Government Director of the Northwest River Companions
“Hydropower, whether or not federal or non-federal, performs a significant position in sustaining system reliability and clear vitality targets for tens of millions of customers in our nation. We applaud Chair McMorris Rodgers in making an attempt to streamline the method for licensing and relicensing these vital home vitality assets and for her tireless efforts in defending present hydropower initiatives.” – Scott Simms, Government Director of the Public Energy Council (PPC)
CLICK HERE to learn the total invoice textual content.
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