Reps applaud passage of hydropower bill

U.S. 5th Congressional District Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and fellow Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO), authors of H.R. 267, the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act, applauded the unanimous approval of their bill in the U.S. Senate August 1. Their legislation will facilitate the development of small hydropower and conduit projects and direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to study the feasibility of a streamlined two-year permitting process.

“In Eastern Washington, hydropower plays a pivotal role – whether it’s conventional, small, or conduit hydro – it provides...