U.S. SENATE —U.S House of Representatives passes U.S. Senators Steve Daines, Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte bill on the Gibson Dam Hydro Project. The bill will now be sent to President Donald J. Trump for signature.
“Hydropower is critical to Montana’s ‘all-of-the-above’ energy approach and is an important source of tax revenue, jobs and national security,” said Daines. “Completion of the Gibson Dam will not only power Montana homes, but will power our economy and provide Montanans with a clean, reliable source of energy.”
“The Gibson Dam will not only produce clean, reliable energy right here in Montana, it will also create jobs and generate revenue for the local economy,” Tester said. “With gas prices on the rise and uncertainty plaguing our international markets, there’s no better time to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by investing in domestic energy projects like the Gibson Dam.”
“Hydropower is an important part of Montana’s diverse energy resources and provides reliable, affordable electricity for Montanans,” Gianforte said. “The legislation that passed the House ensures the Gibson Dam Hydro Project can be completed, bringing good-paying Montana jobs, a healthier environment, and a reliable stream of revenue for our counties.”
The bill will provide for a six-year extension of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for the dam.
Montana is the fifth-largest producer of hydropower in the nation and has 23 hydroelectric dams.
Gibson Dam:
- Create 15 to 25 jobs and up to $5 million in wages during construction
- Provide 50 to 100 years of stable tax revenues for Teton and Lewis and Clark Counties, averaging $275,000 to be shared annually per county
- Reduce more than 40,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year
- Strengthen the irrigation component of the Gibson Dam
- $1 million in local purchases over two years
- Sun River Electric Cooperative will receive over $200,000 per year in a “wheeling fee”
The bill passed the U.S. Senate in June.
On July 17 it passed the U.S. House of Representatives
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