LPPC Joins the National Hydropower Association in Supporting the Hydropower Licensing Affordability Act
LPPC is proud to join the National Hydropower Association in supporting the Hydropower Licensing Affordability Act (H.R. 9337 / S. 5048), legislation that would improve the federal hydropower licensing process while maintaining strong environmental protections.
LPPC and several member utilities recently joined the National Hydropower Association in supporting H.R. 9337, the Hydropower Licensing Affordability Act, legislation that would reform federal mandatory conditioning authorities under the Federal Power Act (FPA). Introduced by Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-OR) and Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the bill would amend Sections 4(e) and 18 of the FPA to ensure mandatory conditions are directly tied to a project's demonstrated impacts on federal reservations and fish species.
LPPC member utilities own and operate more than 17 GW of hydropower, representing approximately one-quarter of the nation's non-federal hydropower capacity.
LPPC President Tom Falcone said, "LPPC members have spent decades working with federal agencies and stakeholders to develop license conditions that protect fish, wildlife habitat, and public lands, and we strongly support those efforts. This bill keeps the focus on a project's demonstrated effects, protecting important environmental resources while helping keep costs fair for the customer-owners of our public power utilities."
LPPC thanks Representative Bentz and Senators Daines, Risch, and Murkowski for their leadership in improving the hydropower licensing and relicensing process. By increasing predictability and preserving the long-term viability of hydropower projects, H.R. 9337 will help protect customers from unnecessary costs while supporting reliable, renewable, and sustainable power.
