| House approves controversial hydropower bill
Tipton, R-Colorado, and the bill's supporters, which included over two dozen Democrats in the House, held the legislation out as a means to facilitate reliable domestic energy production while expanding development of clean, renewable energy that can produce jobs. The House rejected an attempt by Rep. A day earlier, it struck declining an amendment supplied by Rep. Tipton has responded that his bill will reduce the overall regulatory burden and therefore the total costs to build small hydro projects on Bureau of Reclamation land. 7 percent of our renewable energy is hydropower, but only 3. Critics contend the bill actually creates an incentive for developers to build underpowered projects to avoid environmental review. 1 percent of all Colorado energy is hydropower. 9 percent of the United States' total renewable electricity generation, making it the lead renewable energy resource power, according to the [National] Hydropower Association. Bureau of Reclamation and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission processes, critics have also noted. We have a significant opportunity… to expand on this clean renewable source of power while creating badly needed jobs for the Third District of Colorado along the way. Bureau of Reclamation Deputy Commissioner of Operations David Murillo has said the bill's goals are admirable, but his agency opposes a NEPA exemption, which would apply to projects of 1. In Colorado alone, there is enough existing capacity to generate as much power as the Glen Canyon Dam. In Colorado, nearly 30. Developers already can exempt low-impact hydropower projects through existing U. However, as it stands, no major hydroelectric facilities have been built in many years. Keith Ellison, D-Minnesota, that would have prevented the law from going into effect until it was determined the bill would not have unintended consequences, such as a net loss of jobs. |
Friday, 9 March 2012
House approves controversial hydropower bill
