Rep. McMorris Rodgers introduces bill to expand hydropower production
U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced a bill to expand hydropower production, modernize the permitting process, and promote the innovation of the next generation of hydroelectric technology.
The Hydropower Clean Energy Future Act (H.R.4045) would reform the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing process to protect existing hydropower resources and encourage the development of small and next-generation projects. It would do this by affirming a 2-year licensing process for next generation hydropower resources; exempting small hydropower projects that do not have significant environmental impacts; exempting closed-loop pumped storage projects that do not utilize federal land or impound navigable waters; and promoting innovation in turbine design and generating technology.
“As the largest source of clean, renewable energy in the country, hydropower is key to winning the future and reducing emissions. In my home state of Washington, hydropower accounts for nearly 70 percent of electricity generated in the state. The Hydropower Clean Energy Future Act preserves our existing hydropower fleet and brings more power online by reforming the licensing process and promoting the innovation necessary to usher in the next generation of hydro technology. Today, only 3 percent of dams in America produce electricity. By leveraging this untapped potential for more hydropower energy, this legislation could help us double hydropower production in the U.S. without building a single new dam,” Rodgers said.
Further, the bill would ensure that electricity produced from hydropower qualifies as a renewable resource for all federal programs and procurement requirements. In addition, it would also identify electricity market rules and ownership models that encourage the development of conventional, pumped storage, conduit, and emerging hydropower technologies; extend the time by which a project must commence construction after receiving its license; and promote its use to help balance electricity supply and demand.
The bill is supported by several industry organizations, including the National Hydropower Association, the American Conservation Coalition Action, Northwest River Partners, and the Public Power Council (PPC).
“This bill recognizes the crucial role of hydropower in establishing a resilient, clean electricity grid by improving the needlessly burdensome FERC hydropower licensing process. By improved decision-making and coordination among all stakeholders, this legislation addresses the excessive time, cost, and uncertainty associated with the current process. With almost half of the non-federal fleet up for relicensing, this bill will protect and expand valuable hydropower assets in an environmentally responsible manner. Rep. McMorris Rogers has been a long-standing hydropower champion, and we thank her for continuing to push for licensing reform,” Malcolm Woolf, CEO and president of the National Hydropower Association, said.
