U.S. Senate Approves Hoover Power Allocation Act

Southern California water agencies and others will continue to benefit from clean, low-cost hydroelectric power after the U.S. Senate's approval of the Hoover Power Reallocation Act yesterday.

With Hoover power contracts set to expire in 2017, S 519 by Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) reauthorizes the Hoover Dam to continue distributing power for another fifty years. It also sets aside 5% of its electricity for use by new entities, including Native American tribes, irrigation districts, electric cooperatives and others that previously lacked access. ACWA supported the measure.

“I applaud the Senate for its quick consideration of the Hoover Power Allocation Act, and ask leaders in the House of Representatives to do the same,” said Rep. Grace Napolitano in a statement. “This critical legislation gives our homes and businesses inexpensive, renewable energy for another fifty years, and offers new access to Native American tribes and other entities which were previously excluded.”

As the bill is written, entities receiving power in Schedules A and B still would continue to receive Hoover power. In addition, each of the existing Hoover contractors would contribute 5% of their power to a pool that would be distributed under a new Schedule D.  Schedule D power would be set aside for federally-recognized Indian Tribes, irrigation districts, rural electric cooperatives, military installations and other eligible entities.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power applauded the Senate’s approval of the bill. The city has received power from Hoover Dam since 1937 and operated the dam for its first 50 years.

“Hoover Dam provides about 6%-8% of our city’s power, so our stake in this act is significant,” said General Manager Ronald Nichols in a statement. “To have a new contract through 2067 provides us important certainty on this critical, emission-free portion of our power supply.”