NHA applauds both House Appropriations and Senate R&D funding votes

Washington, D.C. (July 17, 2009) – The following is a statement from National Hydropower Association (NHA) executive director Linda Church Ciocci on the U.S. House of Representatives approving the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill (320-97) as well as two amendments that increase funding for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Water Power Program (431-1) and fund installation of hydropower facilities at Bureau of Reclamation dams (432-0).

"NHA congratulates the House on its action in supporting clean-energy resources and creating green jobs opportunities through its unprecedented votes for sound hydropower policy in the FY 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3183.  The House votes demonstrate that lawmakers understand the potential America’s largest renewable-energy resource has for serving the country's energy, environmental, and economic priorities.

"Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI) showed great vision in introducing her amendment to increase by $10 million the funding for DOE's Water Power R&D program.  Through the public-private R&D partnerships this program supports, the U.S. hydropower industry will be able to increase development of new clean energy technologies, creating good, family-sustaining jobs and new investment opportunities.  This will turn hydropower into an engine for growth and energy independence in Rep. Miller's home state of Michigan, along with dozens of other communities throughout the country.

"Rep. Doc Hastings’s (R-WA) amendment will help speed the conversion of some of the 97 percent of America's dams that do not generate electricity into clean energy resources.  Hailing from Washington State, where hydropower resources provide clean, abundant electricity, Rep. Hastings knows well the benefits of water power technologies.  His leadership on this amendment will help extend those same benefits to the entire country.

"NHA would also like to thank Rep. Ed Pastor (D-AZ) for his leadership on the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. Like so many conservationists who support the development of key hydropower technologies, Rep. Pastor's work embraces sound environmental stewardship, while building our domestic, low-carbon energy resources.

"We're particularly pleased to see the House's efforts to support the development of hydropower resources in view of the Senate's strong support for the DOE Water Power program in its appropriations bill.  Thanks to the leadership of Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and other legislators who supported the $60 million funding provision for the DOE Water Power program, we have started on a path toward reaching our goal of doubling U.S. hydropower resources.

"NHA looks forward to working with Congress and the Administration on these critical hydropower policies.  We are eager to build on the momentum of these forward-thinking measures to address our energy, environmental, and economic policies today."

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