House Passes Bill to Accelerate Small Hydropower Projects
Washington, D.C. (July 18, 2017) – The following is a statement from Linda Church Ciocci, Executive Director of the National Hydropower Association, on the passage of the Promoting Conduit Hydropower Facilities Act (H.R. 2786) by the U.S. House of Representatives. The measure, sponsored by Representatives Richard Hudson (R-NC) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) eliminates the 5 MW limitation for small hydropower projects to utilize the expedited approval process adopted as part of the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013. It also shortens the review time specified under current law. The bill was overwhelmingly approved by a vote of 420-2.
“The overwhelming bipartisan House vote is a major victory for the development of small hydropower projects, particularly conduit hydropower. Today, there are thousands of miles of man-made canals, pipes, tunnels and aqueducts in the U.S. carrying water for irrigation, water supply and city wastewater systems. By fitting these existing conduits with turbines, a new, efficient, innovative power source is born out of generation that’s otherwise uncaptured.
“Passage of this bill will help to unlock small conduit hydropower, and we will continue working to ensure this
critical legislation is signed into law.”
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