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House Passes Small Hydro Bill by 372–0

The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday passed H.R. 5892, the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act, by a vote of 372–0. The bipartisan bill—championed by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.)—seeks to facilitate the development of small hydropower and conduit projects and direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to study the feasibility of a streamlined two-year permitting process. The legislation now moves to the Senate.

The bill essentially makes small hydropower and conduit projects of less than 5 MW completely exempt from the regulatory process, and gives FERC the option to exempt 5 MW to 40 MW conduit projects from the permitting process. It also allows FERC to extend preliminary permits.

Under the bill, FERC could also assess the feasibility of a two-year licensing process for hydropower development at non-powered dams and closed loop pumped storage projects. Finally, it assigns the Department of Energy the task of studying the hydropower potential at pumped storage and conduit projects across the nation.

“I’m so proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to celebrate the passage of this bill,” McMorris Rodgers said in a statement on Monday. “In Eastern Washington, hydropower plays a pivotal role—whether it’s conventional, small, or conduit hydro—it provides 75 percent of electricity to the Pacific Northwest and represents a unique opportunity for job creation and energy production. It’s clean, reliable, renewable and affordable.”

The National Hydropower Association (NHA) said it appreciated passage of the bill. “The Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act will continue the growth of the hydropower industry by encouraging development to bring additional affordable clean power to more Americans. We urge the Senate to continue this momentum and deliver the bill to the President’s desk.”

Sources: POWERnews, Rep. Cathy McMorris, NHA

—Sonal Patel, Senior Writer (@POWERmagazine)

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