Hydropower Archives - Senator Steve Daines

Daines Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Increase American Hydropower

March 12, 2025

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led a bill to support American hydropower and increase domestic energy production by allowing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve six-year extensions for hydropower projects licensed before 2020. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Kennedy (R-La.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) joined Daines in introducing the legislation. “Energy security is national security, and hydropower delivers a reliable energy source for many Montanans. Many of our hydropower projects have been held up due to supply chain shortages and this bipartisan bill will revive projects that support Montana jobs and keep costs low for our families.

Daines Hails Passage of Bill to Support Montana Hydropower Projects

December 18, 2024

Bill Extends Hydropower Licenses U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today praised Senate passage of his bill, S.3373, to allow for the extension FERC hydropower projects licensed before March of 2020 for an additional four years. As projects in Montana and throughout the United States struggle to meet deadlines due to supply chain shortages, Daines’ bill will give the needed time to start construction and increase energy production in the United States. “Montanans know that an all-of-the-above energy portfolio is best, and that includes hydropower. Supporting Montana hydropower projects is essential to our energy security, helps create Montana jobs and keeps costs low

Daines’ Amendment to Reduce Frivolous Lawsuits on Forestry Projects Passes Committee

July 31, 2024

Package also contains Daines-led provisions to increase hydropower development U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the passage of his forestry amendment to the “Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024” by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The amendment ensures that forestry projects under the “Healthy Forests Restoration Act” are given expedited review, ensuring that forest projects will not be delayed by frivolous lawsuits. Also included were provisions to extend hydropower licenses and study market barriers to hydropower development. “Forestry permitting reform is permitting reform. Far too often, projects to reduce hazardous fuels and restore forest health are

Daines Gives Biden Admin Reality Check on Financial Burden of Dam Breaching

February 9, 2024

U.S. Senate – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today insisted President Biden’s Department of Energy (DOE) address the financial burden that breaching the lower Snake River dams would have on Montanans. The demand comes after months of the Biden administration attempting to usurp congressional authority and move toward dam breaching. “It is disconcerting to note the proposed agreement is already being celebrated as a ‘roadmap’ for lower Snake River dam breaching […] despite the fact the administration has acknowledged only Congress has the authority to remove federal dams . . . While the analyses of cost implications of breaching the LSRDs have so far

Daines Slams Biden for Embracing Radical Agenda, Proposing the Breaching of Hydropower Dams

June 21, 2023

To watch Daines’ remarks, click HERE. U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today delivered remarks at the weekly Republican Senate Leadership press conference slamming President Biden’s radical anti-energy agenda that includes breaching dams on the Lower Snake River. “I’m guessing there’s a few fans here of the show Yellowstone who maybe believe that John Dutton is the governor of Montana. I will tell you that’s not true. It’s Greg Gianforte, who has been a great friend of mine and somebody who I built businesses with and created jobs over many years. What I’m about to share with you, you might think is another

What They Are Saying: Industry and Community Leaders Endorse Daines’ Bipartisan Hydropower Bill

June 14, 2023

U.S. SENATE – Since introducing the bipartisan “Community and Hydropower Improvement Act” that would streamline the permitting process for hydropower projects, increase tribal engagement and oversight, expedite low impact projects, promote healthy habitat and coordinate federal decision making, Daines has received an outpouring of support from key stakeholders. “In response to the threat posed by looming relicensing, the hydropower industry, environmental organizations, dam safety advocates, and tribal representatives, have negotiated a holistic licensing reform package that creates common ground to preserve and enhance the existing hydropower fleet while ensuring that environmental concerns are addressed, and the rights of tribal nations are respected. The

Major US power source facing extinction thanks to red tape, sparking calls for reform

May 18, 2023

Source: Fox News The nation’s top hydropower trade group and energy developers are raising the alarm on the burdensome regulatory process facing new and existing projects, warning a reliable source of electricity for millions is at risk. Hydropower — which supplies nearly 80,000 megawatts of the nation’s power, or 6.2% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity and 28.7% of total utility scale renewable electricity, according to federal data — remains a key part of the nation’s growing power grid, but stakeholders argue it faces regulatory hurdles far greater than those facing other carbon-free sources of electricity. “Our concern is that, without greater clarity on

Daines Applauds House Passage of Legislation to Expand Montana Hydro

March 15, 2016

U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the House of Representative’s passage of legislation to ensure the completion of two hydroelectric facilities in Montana. The legislation would provide for the reinstatement and three-year extension of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for Clark Canyon Dam Hydro Project in Dillon, Montana and a six-year extension of the FERC license for the Gibson Dam Hydro Project near Augusta, Montana. “The Gibson Dam and Clark Canyon Dam are two projects that are critical for tax revenue and jobs in Montana communities,” Daines stated. “I’m excited to see bipartisan support for the completion of made-in

Daines Travels to Alaska for Senate Energy Field Hearing

February 17, 2016

U.S. SENATE — This week, Senator Steve Daines traveled to Alaska to participate in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources field hearing to examine opportunities for innovation in America’s energy industry. Daines was joined by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John Barrasso (R-WY), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Angus King (I-ME), in addition to U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, who testified at the hearing. Daines with Murkowski as they prepare to head out from Anchorage to Bethel, Alaska. Click here to watch. Daines, Moniz and fellow senators traveled to Bethel, Alaska where the field hearing would be held. Click here to watch.

Daines Highlights Key Reforms in Major Senate Energy Legislation

January 28, 2016

“We can’t fully discuss our nation’s energy future without also addressing the President’s moratorium on new federal coal leases and royalty increase attempts for federal coal, oil and natural gas.” WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines took to the Senate floor to highlight important provisions contained in the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016, the first major energy policy legislation debated in the Senate since 2007. This key legislation will help expand Montana energy production, permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and rein in the Obama administration’s overreaching anti-energy regulations. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Today, the

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