Hydropower Bill Cosponsored by LaMalfa Passed by House of Representatives

Washington, DC – Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) voted in favor of a measure he cosponsored to ease environmental red tape for new hydroelectric projects. Introduced with Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO), HR 678 eliminates the National Environmental Protection Act review process for small hydroelectric generators installed on man-made canals and pipelines operated by the Bureau of Reclamation.

"California could power thousands of homes every year with low-cost electricity under this legislation," said LaMalfa. "When considered against California's increasingly stringent renewable energy requirements, this bill will help prevent rate hikes for consumers around the state. It's common sense to use our man-made canals and pipelines to provide power, especially when doing so has no environmental impact whatsoever."

California has at least 20 pipelines and canals on which small hydroelectric generators could be rapidly installed, providing inexpensive renewable power that is desperately need to offset the high costs of wind and solar generation and helps to meet the state's 33% renewable mandate.

Video of LaMalfa speaking about the bill on the floor of the House of Representatives may be found here: https://youtu.be/oYqCVKkVIkk

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California's First Congressional District including, Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.