Statement of NHA Executive Director Linda Church Ciocci on Senate Markup of Hydropower Legislation

Washington, DC (April 12, 2011)"The National Hydropower Association applauds the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for passing the Hydropower Improvement Act of 2011. The bipartisan legislation supports research and development, increased deployment and common sense regulation of our country's affordable, reliable, available and sustainable hydropower resources. The bill will help expand America's access to clean energy and the jobs it creates, and given its bipartisan support we look forward to action in the full Senate.The Hydropower Improvement Act was introduced on March 17, 2011, by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) along with nine original cosponsors from both sides of the aisle. In a continued show of strong bipartisanship, the bill (S. 629) passed out of committee today by voice vote.  

NHA thanks Senator Lisa Murkowski and Chairman Jeff Bingaman for their leadership on energy policy issues and support of the hydropower industry. Hydropower is already the nation’s largest source of renewable electricity generation and accounts for approximately 300,000 jobs. With the right policies in place, hydro can create 1.4 million more jobs and add 60,000 MW of clean energy by 2025.

A second important hydropower bill, the Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2011, didn’t see a vote today.  The legislation, also with cosponsors from both sides of the aisle, would support marine and hydrokinetic technologies with huge potential for growth.  Increasing research and development funding for new ocean, tidal and instream hydrokinetic projects is vital to advancing the nation’s goal of a clean, secure energy future. NHA supports moving forward on this important bill as soon as possible. 

NHA stands ready to work with lawmakers, regulators and policymakers to help grow this vital resource and ensure that all Americans can access the benefits hydropower provides.”