U.S. House Passes WRDA Bill with Hydro Provisions
Washington, D.C. (September 14, 2018) – The National Hydropower Association (NHA) today applauded the U.S. House’s passage of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, which included several provisions promoting hydropower deployment.
The hydropower provisions included language: creating a quicker, more efficient licensing process for proposed projects at existing non-powered dams and for closed-loop pumped storage; shortening the timeline for projects utilizing existing conduits; providing regulatory incentives for investments at existing hydropower facilities; and improvements to the preliminary permits and start construction timelines at FERC.
“The inclusion of these provisions underscore the bipartisan support for increasing hydropower’s contribution to our nation’s clean energy portfolio and the reliability and resiliency benefits it brings to the electric grid,” said Linda Church Ciocci, NHA CEO and President.
“NHA commends the leadership of House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman Walden and ranking member Pallone, as well as that of Energy Subcommittee chairman Upton and ranking member Rush, along with members of the House from both sides of the aisle that supported these provisions,” added Church Ciocci. “Final passage of this bill will bring more affordable, renewable hydropower generation to American families and businesses and we support quick passage in the Senate. We look forward to continued work with the Committee on additional licensing improvements that have passed the House and are awaiting final action.”
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