Hydropower's growth potential not recognized as vital part of renewable energy needed to meet U.S. 80% clean energy goal by 2025, says National Hydropower Assn. executive director in response to U.S. EIA's Clean Energy Standard Analysis

Tracy McDonald

WASHINGTON , December 1, 2011 (press release) – Statement of NHA Executive Director Linda Church Ciocci

The following is a statement from the National Hydropower Association Executive Director Linda Church Ciocci regarding EIA’s Clean Energy Standard Analysis:

“NHA appreciates Senator Bingaman’s leadership on clean and renewable energy issues and applaud his dedication to developing policies that support increased development. However, we are discouraged by the overall treatment of hydropower in his scenario submitted for analysis by the Energy Information Administration and urge his reconsideration.

“Today’s Energy Information Administration analysis of Senator Bingaman’s Clean Energy Standard clearly shows the central role that hydropower must play in any federal energy policy. NHA strongly believes that in order to achieve the President’s goal of providing 80 percent clean and renewable energy by 2025, new and existing hydropower resources must be recognized under any federal standard on par with other new and existing renewable technologies.

“We are concerned with some of EIA’s findings and assumptions in this analysis, particularly the failure to accurately represent hydropower’s growth potential. With the right policies in place, hydropower can double capacity. The analysis released today shows little to no growth in the hydropower industry, and does not accurately reflect a growing and dynamic hydropower sector with over 80,000 MW of capacity before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. We encourage policymakers to look closely at the facts about hydropower: it is the nation’s most available, reliable and affordable renewable energy source, with the potential to support more than 1 million jobs in the years to come.

“We stand ready to work with Senator Bingaman as he and other lawmakers craft national clean energy standards that, with hydropower’s inclusion, will support America’s economy and drive development of vital energy resources.”

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