President Obama signed the “Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act” into law Friday.

Senator Barrasso, along with Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), originally introduced the “Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act” on February 13, 2013. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) are original co-sponsors. On August 1, 2013 the Senate unanimously passed the bill. Rep. Scott Tipton (CO-03) sponsored the House bill which passed the House of Representatives on April 10th by a vote of 416-7.

Barrasso says the “Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act” will enable job creators to invest in domestic energy production by removing duplicative environmental analysis and reducing regulatory costs associated with hydropower development.

In addition, the law:

Provides America with a cheap and clean source of electricity available through modern technology. Creates an environment for substantial rural job creation. · Generates federal revenue, as CBO estimates that the bill will generate $5 million in federal revenue over the 2012-2021 period.

Does not harm the environment since the generation units would be placed on already developed ground within existing facilities that have already gone through federal environmental review.

 

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