Hageman’s Bill to Protect the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund Passes House of Representatives

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Harriet Hageman's bill requiring the Bureau of Reclamation and Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) to analyze the economic consequences that bypass flows at Glen Canyon Dam have had on the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund, passed the House of Representatives earlier today.

Representative Hageman stated, "Our water and energy-producing infrastructure must be protected. America needs more hydropower, not less of it. Reducing hydropower generation is counterintuitive and my bill addresses that by keeping the Basin Fund intact as a short-term means ensuring operating, maintenance and other expenses are paid so that this dispatchable and reliable energy source remains viable for everyone dependent on this supply."

Background:

The Biden-Harris Administration's Colorado River Long Term Experimental Management Plan SEIS Record of Decision (ROD) was signed on July 5, 2024, with Reclamation implementation beginning just three days later, on July 8. The ROD calls for bypass flows at Glen Canyon Dam, meaning higher flows to combat the presence of predatory smallmouth bass that threaten the federally protected humpback chub. These higher flows bypass hydropower generators in order to cool the river temperature below the dam to attempt to disrupt smallmouth bass downstream.

The lost hydropower generation must be replaced with power purchased on the open market at more expensive prices during the middle of summer peak electricity demand. The WAPA makes these purchases from the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund, which is financed by power revenues; or, in other words, it is customer funded.

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