Daines Hydro-Power Bill to Create Jobs and Lower Energy Costs Advances in the Senate
Press Release
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today passed Representative Steve Daines' legislation to lift regulatory barriers that block new hydropower development in Montana and Senator John Barrasso's identical companion bill, S. 2010. The bipartisan Bureau of Reclamation Conduit Hydropower Development Equity and Jobs Act (H.R. 1963, S. 2010), which was introduced in the House by Daines and the Senate by Barrasso, would remove outdated federal statutes that currently prevent hydropower development in Montana and other western states on Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) canals, ditches, and conduits.
"This is common sense legislation that balances energy development with responsible stewardship of our natural resources," Daines said. "By cutting senseless barriers to hydropower development, we can help create good-paying jobs in our rural communities while also lowering energy costs for consumers. Hydropower is an important part of an all-of-the-above energy development policy that will create American jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil."
"Both of the bills that passed out of Committee today will go a long way in ensuring Wyoming and the entire inter-mountain West have a clean, abundant supply of water and electricity," Barrasso said. "With today's vote, we're now one step closer to having the information we need to update and repair our aging Bureau of Reclamation facilities. I also want to thank Representative Daines for working with me to finish the job of developing all our renewable small hydropower resources at these facilities. I look forward to the full Senate passing both of these important bills as soon as possible."
There are 12 projects nationwide that would be immediately impacted by the Daines-Barrasso bill, four of which are in Montana.
Additionally, the bill, in combination with H.R. 678-- the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act, which passed through the House with overwhelming bipartisan support--could lead to development of at least 32 conduit hydropower sites on BOR conduits in Montana.
It has received strong support and consensus from Montana irrigation districts and ag groups, as well as the Obama administration, which also expressed its support for Daines' bill during a May 2013 hearing.
Daines' version of the bill passed the House without opposition in December of last year.
Support for the Daines-Barrasso Legislation
Mike Carlson, Manger of Buffalo Rapids Buffalo Rapids Irrigation Project: "I thank Congressman Daines for his leadership on this issue. The Congressman's bill provides an important opportunity for small irrigation producers to provide clean energy to our communities and receive some support for us to continue and improve our services to our farmers."
Linda Church Ciocci, Executive Director of the National Hydropower Association: "Throughout the West, particularly on the federal system, tremendous untapped renewable hydropower potential is available from existing man-made structures such as irrigation canals and other water conveyances. H.R. 1963 helps to unlock these projects, and in doing so will provide affordable, reliable renewable energy from hydropower to localities across the West. These projects will also be a source of good paying jobs and bring additional economic opportunities to our nation's rural communities."
Dan Keppen, Executive Director of the Family Farm Alliance: "If passed, this legislation would complete the policy of promoting the development of clean, renewable hydropower at all Reclamation conduits at no cost to federal taxpayers, while providing additional power supplies to the grid and lowering energy costs for consumers We support H.R. 1963 and believe it will reduce costs to foster more conduit hydropower at federal facilities and empower local water districts to develop this generation."
Thomas F. Donnelly, Executive Vice President of the National Water Resources Association: "H.R. 1963 works to comprehensively streamline the hydropower permitting process. H.R. 1963 will create tremendous incentives for not only the Bureau but for the irrigation districts and water user associations that manage many of these facilities to move forward on small hydropower development. We applaud your leadership and strongly support your legislation."
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