U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.)

PRESS RELEASE
February 13, 2013

As part of an “all of the above” energy strategy, Greg Walden supports bipartisan hydropower bill

Bipartisan legislation overwhelmingly passes the U.S. House, streamlines permitting process for nation’s largest renewable electricity source

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today supported the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act, which unanimously passed the U.S. House today.

“I was proud to be an original cosponsor of this bipartisan, job-creating bill that’s part of an ‘all of the above’ energy strategy. Even though 75 percent of electricity in the Pacific Northwest already comes from hydropower and several new projects have come online in central Oregon in recent years, we can do more.

“The plan passed today will help facilitate the development of new hydropower by reducing red tape and streamlining the permitting process for new projects. New hydropower development has the potential to produce thousands of megawatts of affordable power and create thousands of American jobs in the process. I’ll continue to work across the aisle to increase the supply of affordable energy and create good, stable American jobs,” Rep. Walden said.

The Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act (HR 267) was introduced by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.). Rep. Walden was one of nine original cosponsors of the bill and helped usher it through the Energy and Commerce Committee. The bill now heads to the Senate. A similar bill was passed overwhelmingly in the House last year, but was not considered by the Senate.

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