Sens. King, Flake introduce bills to support utilization of hydropower

U.S. Sen. Angus King (I-ME) and Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee
on Water and Power Jeff Flake (R-AZ) recently introduced two pieces of legislation that would help
address regulatory issues affecting the utilization of hydropower resources.

The Exemptions for Small Dams Act would allow certain dams to qualify for expedited license
exemptions from the FERC regulatory process, simplifying the process for the owners of small dams.

“The Exemptions for Small Dams Act helps to recognize the value and reliability that small-scale, dispatchable hydropower provides to the electric grid,” Nicolas Bosse, senior vice president of Regulatory Affairs for Brookfield Renewable North America, said. “If enacted, it will support the long-term operation of these baseload carbon-free resources, preserving jobs and tax revenues in local communities.”

The Dam Storage Information Act would require the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC) to supply a report to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on regulatory barriers related to dams that manage the water supply to downstream or downriver power-producing dams.

“In Maine, nearly a quarter of the total power we produce is hydropower – a renewable, clean, and homegrown form of energy,” King said. “But misguided regulations from Washington threaten to stifle that productivity and jeopardize a vital clean power source. These bills will help identify burdens standing in the way of hydropower’s success and also help dam owners cut through an overly-complicated regulatory process, all without diminishing environmental standards.”