Senate Energy Panel Receives Testimony on Hoover Power, Perchlorate Study Legislation
The Senate Energy & Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water & Power received testimony on pending legislation before the Subcommittee, including S. 2891, the Hoover Dam Allocation Act and H.R. 4252, a bill directing the Secretary of Interior to conduct a study of water resources in the Rialto-Colton Basin in California on Wednesday, June 9.
HooverPower
Senator Ensign (R-Nev.) and regional stakeholders testified in favor the Hoover Allocation Act, S. 2891. Senator Ensign highlighted the legislation as a result of extensive negotiations between Congressional staff and stakeholders. Additionally, he highlighted the creation of Schedule D, a new allocation pool where new entities will be eligible to receive Hoover power, including Indian tribes.
Senator Reid (D-Nev.), the legislation’s sponsor, submitted testimony in support of the legislation as well. “Completing the Hoover Dam and harnessing the Colorado River over 70 years ago,” he said, “was a game-changer for the Southwest. The dam allowed new communities to thrive using water from the river, while also providing reliable, clean power to millions in Nevada, California and Arizona.”
“To ensure that power continues to be delivered reliably to Nevadans, Arizonans, and Californians, and that there is no legal uncertainty, I think it’s important that Congress reauthorize these power allocations as soon as possible and while we have broad bipartisan agreement between the major stakeholders,” he said.
Stakeholders from the U.S. Department of Energy, Colorado River Commission of Nevada, Arizona Power Authority, and the Southern California Public Power Association testified in support of the legislation.
Chairwoman of the Subcommittee Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) questioned the stakeholders on their support of the Hoover Allocation Act as passed by the House the day before. All of the stakeholders responded that they strongly supported the House bill and Mr. Meeks, testifying on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy, affirmed that the House bill, as passed, addressed some concerns he has about the Senate legislation.
To read the Senators’ and stakeholders’ full testimony, please click here.
Perchlorate Study
The Senate Subcommittee also received testimony on H.R. 4252, the Inland Empire Perchlorate Groundwater Plume Assessment Act.
The legislation’s sponsor, Congressman Joe Baca (D-43), testified in support of the bill. “The perchlorate situation in the Inland Empire must be addressed,” he said, “If left alone, the [perchlorate] plume in Rialto may continue to travel underground – contaminating more wells and compromising the health of more Southern California communities.
“By providing concrete research from the USGS on the Rialto-Colton water basin and perchlorate contamination, this bill moves one step closer to finding a realistic solution to this problem.”
To read the Congressman’s full statement, please click here.
