Rep. Schrier Calls on Energy & Commerce Committee to Hold Hydropower Hearing

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and Rep. Ann Kuster (NH-02) sent a letter urging the E&C’s subcommittee on Energy to hold an oversight hearing this month on hydropower to learn more about the incredible potential of this clean, renewable energy source for our country.

In Washington state, hydropower is the largest source of electricity, comprising 66% of the energy generation mix. As a flexible resource, hydropower offers significant potential for carbon emissions reductions as an integrator of other sources of renewable power onto the grid. As the US continues to transition towards a clean energy economy, it is critical to highlight ways to responsibly maximize our hydropower resources by investing in our nation’s dams.

In the letter, the Members wrote, “This Congress we have passed legislation that bolsters the electric grid, invests in renewable energy and battery storage, and deploys electric vehicle charging infrastructure. And while we applaud this Committee’s continued focus on the clean energy transition, it is also important that we not lose sight of hydropower’s long-standing role as a clean source of baseload power.”

The Members continued, “Given the broad support for policy reforms and the significant potential of hydropower as a renewable energy resource, we respectfully urge the Energy & Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy hold an oversight hearing this month on hydropower to learn more about the proposal.”

Full text of the letter can be found here.

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