(Washington, D.C.)  Today he U.S. House of Representatives officially recognized how hydropower can help reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.  By a voice vote, the House approved Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ resolution commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Grand Coulee Dam (H.Res.1374).  The legislation also recognized the contributions of hydroelectric power to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

“In the Pacific Northwest, we have benefited from clean, renewable hydropower,” McMorris Rodgers said.  “In fact, dams provide nearly two-thirds of Washington State’s electricity. These dams have kept the Pacific Northwest's ‘carbon footprint’ at half that of the rest of the nation.

“At a time of growing energy demand, it makes no sense to throw this clean energy source away.  I am committed, as we move forward with the debate on global warming, that hydropower be recognized for the important role it plays in our markets.”

All members of the Washington State Congressional delegation co-signed McMorris Rodgers’ resolution including Representatives Doc Hastings, Dave Reichert, Jim McDermott, Brian Baird, Norm Dicks, Adam Smith, Jay Inslee and Rick Larsen.

McMorris Rodgers is a leading advocate of an “all of the above” approach to lowering America’s energy costs through increased conservation, investment in renewable energy resources like hydropower, wind and solar power as well as increased energy exploration.  She is the founder of the Congressional Hydropower Caucus which held its first briefing about the benefits of hydropower as a renewable resource last week.