Extension of Time to Commence Construction of Certain Hydropower Projects

Floor Speech

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Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to talk on this very important bill.

As everybody who knows me knows, I am a huge fan of hydropower. The Pacific Northwest boasts some of the most abundant form of low-cost, carbon-free renewable baseload power in the country, and I want to see other parts of the country be able to enjoy the same kind of benefits that we do in the Pacific Northwest from hydropower.

That is why this legislation is so important. It will extend the deadline so that construction projects can commence because their licensing opportunities will be extended.

Our country needs this hydropower. We need all forms of power, but this, in particular, is something that will help us provide a critical role in meeting the growing demand that we see throughout our country.

As I said, this is baseload power. It is carbon-free. It is something that is important to everybody in the country to make sure that we are good stewards of our environment.

I appreciate the opportunity to be able to speak in favor of an option that we have in front of us that potentially could provide 2.5 gigawatts more power in the near future, which will go a long ways in meeting the important demands that we have in our electrical future.

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

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