Pacific Northwest Pumped Storage Hydropower Development Act of 2021

Pacific Northwest Pumped Storage Hydropower Development Act of 2021

This bill provides the Department of the Interior exclusive authority to develop hydropower facilities in certain instances and contains other related provisions.

Specifically, Interior shall have exclusive authority to develop small conduit hydropower using Bureau of Reclamation facilities and pumped storage hydropower that exclusively use bureau reservoirs. Currently, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) also has regulatory authority over some of the bureau infrastructure involved in such projects, so some projects require approval from both Interior and FERC.

The bill also imposes various requirements related to certain proposed projects involving specified tribes in Washington State. Before Interior may issue a lease to use power generated from such a project, the parties involved must agree to a study plan that lays out certain information, time lines, and procedures for addressing issues. Such a lease must also meet certain requirements, such as conditions to ensure that the project will not interfere with the tribes' hunting and fishing rights.

Bill 117 hr 2641, also known as the Pacific Northwest Pumped Storage Hydropower Development Act of 2021, aims to promote the development of pumped storage hydropower projects in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.

Pumped storage hydropower is a type of energy storage system that involves pumping water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir during times of low electricity demand, and then releasing the water back down to the lower reservoir through turbines to generate electricity during times of high demand. This technology is seen as a valuable tool for balancing the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.

The bill specifically directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to establish a process for issuing preliminary permits and licenses for pumped storage hydropower projects in the Pacific Northwest. It also requires FERC to prioritize projects that provide grid reliability and resilience, support the integration of renewable energy resources, and have the potential to create jobs and economic development in the region. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide financial assistance to eligible pumped storage hydropower projects in the Pacific Northwest, including grants, loans, and loan guarantees. This assistance is intended to help offset the high upfront costs associated with developing pumped storage projects and make them more economically viable. Overall, the Pacific Northwest Pumped Storage Hydropower Development Act of 2021 seeks to encourage the growth of pumped storage hydropower in the region as a means of enhancing grid reliability, supporting renewable energy integration, and stimulating economic development.