“We Must Expand an Energy Source That Will Lower Costs and

Create Thousands of Jobs” 

Spokane, WA – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) hosted a successful roundtable discussion today on the importance of domestic energy expansion and the unique regional and national benefits of hydropower.  Joined by a group of prominent stakeholders and leaders in the energy industry, McMorris Rodgers provided an update on the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 and invited participants to discuss the benefits of hydropower from varying perspectives.

“As a Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I am eager to advance an ‘all of the above’ energy strategy – and in doing that, I’ve joined with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that our nation’s largest, cleanest, most affordable and most renewable energy source is included – and that’s hydropower,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers.  “The potential of hydropower is tremendous.  Washington State alone gets over 75% of its power from this clean and renewable source of energy – and we owe it to the Pacific Northwest and to the rest of America to expand an energy source that will not only lower costs, but create thousands of jobs.”

The bipartisan Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013, co-authored by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Diana DeGette (D-CO) recently passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee with unanimous approval and will now be considered by the full House of Representatives.  The legislation will streamline the hydropower permitting process for small hydropower and conduit projects, which will facilitate the regulatory approval process for hydropower development.

“From my perspective in Congress, I will do everything I can to help unleash American ingenuity to increase hydropower production, lower energy costs, and expand domestic energy production in an affordable and cost-effective manner.  Promoting hydropower is the first step toward achieving that goal.”

McMorris Rodgers was joined in today’s roundtable by: Dan Boettger, Okanogan PUD; John Grubich, Okanogan PUD; Chad Jensen, CEO, Inland Power; John Janney, Chelan County PUD; Larry LaBolle, Avista; Andrew Munro, Grant County PUD; Dan Peterson, Pend Oreille PUD; and Fred Rettenmund, Inland Power.

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