Daines Introduces Bill to Bolster Hydropower
U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and U.S. Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster (D-N.H.) have introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill to support an all-of-theabove energy portfolio and help develop hydropower on non-powered dams.
“Energy security is national security, and in Montana, we know how important it is to grow clean, renewable hydropower,” Daines said. “Increasing power at Montana’s existing dams will strengthen our grid, provide reliable sources of energy for Montana families, and support Montana energy jobs.”
“There are more than 200 dams in the United States that could be retrofitted to provide hydropower but the approval process is far too cumbersome,” Feinstein said. “Our bill will streamline the application process to convert these dams, creating good paying jobs and providing enough clean energy for more than 2 million homes.”
“Hydropower represents one of our nation’s most promising, yet untapped renewable energy resources,” Kuster said. “Dam owners and developers in New Hampshire and across the country are ready and willing to transform our nation’s water infrastructure to jump-start hydropower energy production. But, this progress is being stifled by a lengthy and inconsistent permitting review process. That’s why I am proud to support this bill to ensure that permits for hydropower dams receive a transparent and timely review so clean energy projects can get online and begin powering our nation’s grid.”
