Next week, the House of Representatives will consider H.R. 2842, The Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act of 2011, sponsored by Rep. Scott Tipton (CO-03). This legislation will create American jobs and expand production of clean, renewable American energy by eliminating duplicative red tape on small canal and pipeline hydropower development projects. The bill was approved by the Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support and is endorsed by the Family Farm Alliance, the National Water Resources Association, the Association of California Water Agencies and the American Public Power Association.

“This legislation is an important piece of the all-of-the-above energy strategy that our country needs in order to strengthen reliable domestic energy production, generate economic growth, and get Americans working. In Colorado alone, this legislation would provide the capacity to generate as much hydroelectric power as the Glen Canyon Dam,” said Rep. Tipton. “By streamlining the regulatory process, and reducing administrative costs for small hydropower development at Reclamation’s facilities, this common sense legislation will encourage the production of clean, renewable hydropower and provide much needed opportunities for the creation of new jobs in parts of Colorado and the nation’s hardest hit rural areas.”

"Energy costs are very important to American families and businesses as gas and power prices skyrocket. I have consistently maintained that the best solution is one that includes all options on the table. This is why I am working with Congressman Tipton in support of The Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act of 2011," said Rep. Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-01). "Hydropower is a low cost, renewable, and emissions-free source of energy that provides low-cost electricity. It is an integral component of the long-term energy plan for my state and the nation. We must protect our existing hydropower infrastructure and find ways to expand smaller scale hydroelectric power generation."

This bill would streamline the regulatory process and reduce administrative costs for small hydropower development at existing Bureau of Reclamation canals and pipes. Such man-made facilities are already on disturbed ground, have no environmental impact and have gone through environmental review. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will generate $5 million in federal revenue over 10 years through increased hydropower production.

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