Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s hearing titled “American Hydropower: Unleashing Reliable, Renewable, Clean Power Across the U.S.”

RENEWABLE, CARBON-FREE, BASELOAD POWER

“Hydropower is a vital source of energy for the U.S., and especially in Eastern Washington.

“Another essential component in an all-of-the-above approach to energy: a renewable, carbon-free, baseload power source that grid operators can dispatch in a moment’s notice.

“Renewable energy from sources like weather-dependent wind and solar absolutely play a role in America’s overall energy mix, but they cannot replace hydropower because hydropower is reliable.

“Just ask the people of California, a state that imports a significant amount of hydroelectric power from Washington state.

“California relies on hydropower to balance its grid when inconsistent resources like wind and solar can’t produce enough energy to meet demand.

“For these reasons, we must protect and modernize our existing hydropower fleet and expand production where we can.

“And that’s why I appreciate everyone’s consideration of The Hydropower Clean Energy Future Act, which will help with hydropower deployment in America.”

THE HYDROPOWER CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE ACT

“We have the capability of more than doubling hydropower in the U.S, modernizing an outdated permitting process, promoting next-generation hydro technology, and eliminating barriers to new dam development.

“This bill also enhances coordination among dozens of agencies by authorizing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to set schedules, clarify responsibilities, and resolve disputes.

“H.R. 4045 builds on the important permitting reforms contained in H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, to expand clean, reliable, and affordable energy for all Americans.”

IMPORTANCE OF COLUMBIA RIVER SYSTEM

“We know hydropower is an especially vital resource in the Pacific Northwest, which is home to the Columbia-Snake River system.

“There are over 60 dams in the Columbia River Basin, including the four Lower Snake River dams.

“This system helped transform our region which was a dry, barren sagebrush area to now one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world.

“This critical investment in energy infrastructure strengthened our energy grid, has lowered costs for families and businesses—we have some of the lowest electricity rates in America —while also reducing carbon emissions.

“In fact, the dams along the Columbia-Snake River system provide more than one-third of all the hydropower capacity in the United States.

“They provide critical flood control benefits, supply water for irrigation, and make it possible for farmers to barge their products—wheat, apples, potatoes—all across America and to countries around the world.”

“Unfortunately, not everyone sees it that way.

“We have dam breaching advocates. And I’m quite disappointed that President Biden, Governor Inslee, and Senator Murray and others are advocating that we tear out these dams.”

SAVING THE LOWER SNAKE DAMS

“I am troubled by conversations happening right now at the highest levels of government, with the Biden Administration’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) secretly coordinating with environmental groups behind closed doors, ignoring the voices of the people whose livelihoods depend on this infrastructure.

“Let me be clear breaching the Lower Snake River dams would permanently harm our way of life in Washington State, not to mention all the other states in the region that have come to rely on them.

“Over the past two years, I have led a series of letters demanding transparency in this mediation process to ensure ALL voices are heard in the debate over the future of these dams.

“And I would like to remind our witnesses from the administration here today that Congress—and Congress alone—has the authority to change the operations of the federally-operated Snake River dams.

“This was a federal investment; these are federally operated dams.

“And that's why I’ve introduced legislation to protect the dams and the many benefits they provide.

“As we work towards a final outcome, we must consider all the facts, prioritize transparency, and utilize sound science and input from all tribes, industry groups, and the people in our Pacific Northwest, not just a small group of those organizations or officials that seem to want to rip out the dams.”

HYDROPOWER VITAL TO WAY OF LIFE

“Hydropower is vital. It’s been around for a while in the Pacific Northwest.

“It is vital to our way of life. It is vital to controlling the flooding that used to take place.

“It is vital to lowering energy costs, enhancing grid reliability, and ensuring that America will be and continue to be the leader in reducing carbon emissions.”