Senate passes hydropower development act
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August 4, 2013 |
U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-ID) and John Barrasso
(R-WY) on Friday praised the Senate’s unanimous
passage of the “Bureau of Reclamation Small
Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs
Act.”
The bill, which already passed the House of
Representatives this past April, authorizes the
Bureau of Reclamation hydropower development on
nearly 47,000 miles of federal canals throughout
the West. This will help create jobs in rural
communities across the country and provide
America with a cheap and clean source of
electricity.
“One of the best sources of renewable, clean,
energy is hydroelectric,” said Risch. “Signing
this bill into law will allow further
modernization of conventional water canals,
conduit piping, and irrigation ditches with new
conduit hydropower technology, thereby expanding
hydropower technology in Idaho and other western
states. This bill will streamline federal
bureaucracy and eliminate red tape. It will also
provide great opportunities for Idaho canal
companies and irrigation districts to expand
agriculture projects, create new jobs, and
generate new clean energy. I eagerly await this
bill becoming law.”
“Hydropower developers will soon have the
certainty they need to create rural jobs and
lower electricity prices for American families,”
said Barrasso. “Wyoming and other states with
many potential Bureau of Reclamation sites will
now be able to fully embrace hydropower’s
potential. I encourage the President to sign
this bill into law immediately. Congress must
also continue to come together remove more
Washington red tape and clear the way for more
American energy development.”
The “Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit
Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act” will
now be sent to the President’s desk to be signed
into law. |
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