U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led a bill to support American hydropower and increase domestic energy production by allowing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve six-year extensions for hydropower projects licensed before 2020. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Kennedy (R-La.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) joined Daines in introducing the legislation.
“Energy security is national security, and hydropower delivers a reliable energy source for many Montanans. Many of our hydropower projects have been held up due to supply chain shortages and this bipartisan bill will revive projects that support Montana jobs and keep costs low for our families. I’ll continue to support an all-of-the-above energy portfolio and fight for ways to increase our domestic energy production,” said Daines.
“I’m an all-of-the-above energy guy. The federal government should enable all projects. The Red River and Overton Lock projects are pro-job and pro-American energy,” said Dr. Cassidy.
“Louisianians and all Americans depend on reliable energy sources to keep the lights on. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan bill to unleash hydropower production and provide jobs,” said Kennedy.
Read the bill text HERE.
Background:
Daines’ legislation allows for hydropower projects that had FERC licenses issued before 2020 to petition FERC to extend their license for an additional six years in two-year increments, ending construction delays.
Daines also introduced this bill in the 118th Congress- read the press release from when it passed the Senate HERE.
Representative Dan Newhouse (WA-04) introduced the companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“The Lower Snake River dams are the foundation of our region’s energy security and are vital to deliver agriculture exports to foreign markets. Without the dams, our region would suffer severe economic consequences and rolling blackouts during times of extreme weather. This package of legislation strengthens hydropower’s position as a reliable, affordable source of energy, and I am proud to lead the coalition to protect these critical pieces of infrastructure,” said Newhouse.
Statements of Support:
“Hydropower is key to achieving energy dominance. Yet, our industry is currently burdened by an inefficient licensing process that has been made even worse by COVID-19 and supply chain disruptions. This legislation will give our members more time and opportunity to bring their projects online. It’s a much-needed fix, and it’s a great start to further streamlining the regulatory process to help unleash water power’s full potential. I urge Congress to pass this bill as soon as possible to safeguard the 2,600 MW of clean, baseload power that are at risk of missing the start-of-construction deadline,”— Malcolm Wolff, CEO, National Hydropower Association
“Nelson Energy applauds Senator Daines, Cassidy, Fetterman, and Kennedy, as well as their cosponsors for their leadership and support of our nation’s hydropower industry. The process of licensing a hydropower project can take years, and many economic factors can change following license that impact a sound project’s ability to advance. This legislation is essential to ensure that existing licensed projects across the country, including projects on Louisiana’s Red River, are able to advance to construction and operation while creating good-paying jobs and increasing tax revenue for their local communities. We appreciate the Senators’ bipartisan leadership and urge Congress to take up and pass this bill as soon as possible,”— Doug Spaulding, President, Nelson Energy
“Hydropower delivers reliable, baseload energy that keeps the lights on throughout the county. Thanks to Senators Daines, Fetterman, Cassidy, and Kennedy, projects delayed by the pandemic will get a second chance to create thousands of jobs, spur economic development, and support a more resilient grid,”— Paul Jacob, CEO of Rye Development
“Hydro Green Energy commends Senators Daines (R-MT), Fetterman (D-PA), Cassidy (R-LA), and Kennedy (R-LA) for introducing this critical legislation that will allow hydropower projects across the country to move forward into construction. In addition to baseload generation, hydropower provides multiple grid reliability and resiliency benefits – attributes that are in more demand now than ever before. This legislation helps to strengthen our nation’s electric system by ensuring these hydropower projects come online to support the grid by quickly responding to sudden changes in power demand and system imbalances, and to service the needs of their communities by supporting local job growth and stimulating economic opportunities. We are pleased to support this bipartisan bill and call on Congress to act expeditiously to secure its passage,”— Hydro Green Energy
“Juneau Hydropower thanks and supports our Senate leadership of Senator Daines, Senator Cassidy, Senator Fetterman, and Senator Kennedy in extending the FERC Hydropower license start of construction dates. This Act preserves millions of dollars of private investment and over 2 Gigawatts of America’s baseload hydropower resources under development. This timely and wise legislation positions America for a stronger and more resilient energy future,”— Duff Mitchell, Managing Director, Juneau Hydropower
“These proposed extensions of time to begin construction are necessary to allow developers to complete their projects with less regulatory induced risk with an imposed timetable. These projects are owned by businesses dedicated to increasing our country’s reliable energy resources. We are grateful for the Senators’ leadership in advancing this common sense solution,”— David Sinclair, President, Advanced Hydro Solutions
“Hydropower in Alaska has been a resounding success providing the lowest cost clean, renewable, base load energy in the state. Alaska needs more hydro to ensure that ordinary Alaskans have access to reliable and affordable electricity leading to economic growth and prosperity for working families in the state. This legislation extending construction timelines for hydroelectric projects protects millions of dollars in waterpower investments and provides much needed relief to an industry that is already struggling with burdensome licensing and permitting regimes, supply chain disruptions and substantial cost increases,”— Bradley Janorschke, Chief Executive Officer for Homer Electric Association, Inc
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Contact: Matt Lloyd, Rachel Dumke