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Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act
4/3/2025, 1:59 PM
Summary of Bill HR 2160
The bill seeks to incentivize the modernization of hydroelectric dams by providing tax credits and other financial support to dam owners who invest in upgrades that will improve the efficiency and environmental impact of their facilities. By encouraging these upgrades, the bill aims to increase the amount of clean energy produced by hydroelectric dams, which can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
In addition to supporting clean energy production, the bill also aims to improve the resiliency and reliability of the US electric grid. By modernizing hydroelectric dams, which are a key component of the nation's energy infrastructure, the bill seeks to ensure that the grid can better withstand disruptions and provide reliable power to consumers. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the importance of protecting the health of the nation's rivers and the wildlife habitats that depend on them. By encouraging upgrades at hydroelectric dams that can improve water quality, fish passage, and habitat restoration, the bill aims to enhance the overall health and biodiversity of these important ecosystems. Overall, Bill 119 HR 2160 seeks to promote clean energy production, improve the reliability of the electric grid, and protect the health of the nation's rivers and wildlife habitats through targeted support for upgrades at existing hydroelectric dams.
Congressional Summary of HR 2160
Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act
This bill establishes a new investment tax credit in the amount of 30% of the basis of any hydropower improvement property.
The bill defines hydropower improvement property as property that
- adds or improves fish passage at a qualified dam;
- maintains or improves the quality of the water retained or released by a qualified dam;
- promotes downstream sediment transport and habitat maintenance;
- upgrades, repairs, or reconstructs a qualified dam to meet safety and security standards;
- improves public uses of, and access to, public waterways impacted by a qualified dam;
- removes an obsolete river obstruction; or
- places into service an approved remote dam.
Further, written approval for hydropower improvement property must be obtained from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or state or local officials prior to January 1, 2032.
The bill also allows an election to claim the investment tax credit for qualified progress expenses for some types of hydropower improvement property in advance of such property being placed into service. Any investment tax credit amount claimed for qualified progress expenses reduces the amount of the investment tax credit that may be claimed once the hydropower improvement property is placed into service.
The bill authorizes certain entities, including tax-exempt and governmental entities, to treat the investment tax credit for hydropower improvement property as a payment of tax and receive a refund of any overpayment (also known as elective pay).
Finally, the investment tax credit for hydropower improvement property may be transferred (i.e., sold).
Read the Full Bill
Current Status of Bill HR 2160
Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 2160
Total Number of Sponsors
5Democrat Sponsors
0Republican Sponsors
5Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
12Democrat Cosponsors
6Republican Cosponsors
6Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 2160
Primary Policy Focus
Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 2160
Comments
Tru Bland
11 months ago
I don't understand why this bill is necessary. It seems like a waste of taxpayer money to me. Why should we be spending money on upgrading hydroelectric dams when there are other more pressing issues that need to be addressed? It just doesn't make sense to me. #confused
