Fetterman, Daines, Newhouse Bill to Increase Made-In-America Hydropower Signed Into Law by President Trump

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Steve Daines (R-MN) announced that their "Build More Hydro" bill has been signed into law by President Trump. The bill, S.1020, allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve six-year extensions for hydropower projects licensed before 2020. U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04) introduced the companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"I'm proud to see our bipartisan Build More Hydro bill signed into law. This extension for our hydro projects keeps domestic energy production in our commonwealth-yet another reminder of the production powerhouse that Pennsylvania has always been. I'm grateful for the partnership with Senator Daines and his work to help get this across the finish line," said Senator Fetterman.

"Today is a great day for Montana and the nation. America must meet the rise in energy demand, and the Build More Hydro bill will revive critical hydro projects and increase our domestic energy production. Thank you Senator Fetterman and Representative Newhouse for fighting with me to get this bill to the President's desk. I'm grateful that President Trump and his administration strongly support Made-In-America energy, and I look forward to seeing the impact this will have across the country," said Senator Daines.

"Our Nation needs more energy, and I am pleased President Trump has signed into law S.1020, the Senate companion of my 'Build More Hydro' bill in the House. This allows hydroelectric dams with their FERC license additional time to commence construction, eventually adding over 2.5 GW of reliable, clean, baseload power. We need to get every available megawatt of power on the grid to meet our growing energy demand, and this new law gets us one step closer to that goal. I thank Senator Daines for his hard work moving this bill unanimously through Senate and for being a champion of hydroelectric dams," said Representative Newhouse.

In Pennsylvania, eight projects will benefit from the extension this law provides. Those projects include:

1. Allegheny Lock and Dam 2
2. Emsworth Back Channel Dam
3. Emsworth Locks and Dam
4. Grays Landing Lock and Dam
5. Maxwell (Point Marion)
6. Monongahela Locks and Dam 4 (Charleroi)
7. Montgomery Locks and Dam
8. Point Marion Lock and Dam

The "Build More Hydro" bill is also supported by the National Hydropower Association, Advanced Hydro Solutions, Pumped Storage Hydro Project, Rye Development, and CEBA.

"Today's law is a breakthrough that delivers 2,600 MW of clean hydropower and $6.5 billion in private investment critical to powering American homes, businesses, and industries. We thank Sen. Daines, Sen. Fetterman, Rep. Newhouse, and the President for their leadership. NHA remains committed to expanding new development and preserving the existing hydropower fleet to meet America's growing energy demand," said Malcolm Woolf, President and CEO, National Hydropower Association.

Read the full text of the bill here.