Congress overwhelmingly supports hydropower as renewable

“NHA is extremely pleased with the House vote. Hydroelectric energy, along with the many benefits it provides, is a vital component of the nation’s energy portfolio,” said Linda Church Ciocci, NHA’s Executive Director. “This recognition is well-deserved, and NHA is gratified by the tremendous show of support. As the nation’s largest renewable energy, hydropower is one of the key tools in combating climate change.”

The hydropower vote came during debate of H.R 3321, the New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act, on an amendment offered by Representative William Sali (R-ID) seeking support for both large- and small-scale conventional hydropower technologies. In his speech on the floor, Sali reminded colleagues that hydropower is a clean, renewable, domestic source of energy—one that provides the largest amount of renewable energy generation in the U.S. today.

"If we are going to discuss renewable energy, then we need to include hydropower,” Sali said. “Hydropower is clean, renewable, consistent, and most importantly pollution free. Hydropower works all the time and should be part of this bill because hydropower for America means no greenhouse gas emissions. Hydropower offsets more carbon emissions than all other renewable energy resources combined.”

The hydropower industry estimates that, in addition to its current contribution, approximately 23,000 megawatts of new energy could be brought online by 2025. More than 95,000 MW are left untapped in the country and have potential for development beyond 2025. To achieve this goal, additional policy support and incentives are needed.

“NHA hopes the support that the House showed this week builds as Congress continues to develop and refine its energy policies. R&D support, greater inclusion in the RPS and the PTC, are all necessary elements if the hydropower industry is to continue its growth and help meet the country’s increasing demand for clean energy,” Church Ciocci said.

The National Hydropower Association is the only trade association in the United States dedicated exclusively to promoting the nation’s largest renewable resource and advancing the interests of hydropower energy in North Amer¬ica. NHA, with more than 140 members throughout the industry, works to secure hydropower’s place as a cli¬mate-friendly, domestic, reliable energy source that serves national environmental and energy policy objectives. NHA supports emerging waterpower technology through its Ocean, Tidal and New Technologies Council, consisting of 30 of its member companies that are exploring development of ocean, tidal or hydrokinetic projects. Council members include manufacturers, developers, public and investor-owned utilities, and engineering and consulting firms with projects proposed from California to New York.