Pacific Northwest Pumped Storage Hydropower Development Act of 2021

1/11/2023, 1:49 PM

Congressional Summary of S 1246

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.

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Current Status of Bill S 1246

Bill S 1246 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since April 20, 2021. Bill S 1246 was introduced during Congress 117 and was introduced to the Senate on April 20, 2021.  Bill S 1246's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. as of April 20, 2021

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 1246

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
0
Democrat Cosponsors
0
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 1246

Primary Policy Focus

Water Resources Development

Potential Impact Areas

Alternative and renewable resourcesElectric power generation and transmissionIndian lands and resources rightsWashington StateWater storageWater use and supply

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 1246

Pacific Northwest Pumped Storage Hydropower Development Act of 2021A bill to amend the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 to authorize pumped storage hydropower development utilizing multiple Bureau of Reclamation reservoirs.Pacific Northwest Pumped Storage Hydropower Development Act of 2021
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Comments

Sponsors and Cosponsors of S 1246

Maria Cantwell
Maria Cantwell
Washington(Democrat)

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