HomeMy WebLinkAbout12642RESOLUTION NO. 12642
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE BUREAU OF
RECLAMATION SMALL CONDUIT HYDROPOWER
DEVELOPMENT AND RURAL JOBS ACT
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development
and Rural Jobs Act streamlines the regulatory process and reduces administrative costs
for small hydropower development at reclamation facilities; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 678 would provide America with the cheapest and cleanest
source of electricity available through modern technology; and
WHEREAS, this legislation would also allow for production of renewable and
emissions-free energy that could be used to pump water or sell electricity to the grid
while generating revenue for hydropower developers to assist in paying for aging
infrastructure costs and water/power facility modernization; and
WHEREAS, this legislation would help create an environment for substantial rural
job creation; CBO estimates that the bill would generate $5 million in federal revenue
over the 2012-2021 period; and
WHEREAS, the hydropower development encouraged by this legislation would
not harm the environment since the generation units would be placed on already
disturbed ground within existing facilities that have already gone through federal
environmental review; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 678 protects water users by reaffirming supply and delivery as
the first priority, and it ensures there will be no financial or operational impacts to
existing water and power users. As a result, it is endorsed by the primary water
providers, public power organizations, and agriculture associations in the West. NOW
THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that:
Section 1.
The Pueblo City Council recognizes the importance of enabling job creators to
invest in domestic energy production, and supporting this legislation would change
outdated and unnecessary federal regulations that hinder small hydropower projects.
Section 2
The Pueblo City Council supports H.R. 678, the Bureau of Reclamation Small
Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act.
INTRODUCED: April 8, 2013
BY: Chris Kaufman
Background Paper for Proposed
RESOLUTION
DATE: AGENDA ITEM # Q-4
April 8, 2013
DEPARTMENT:
City Council
TITLE:
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION SMALL CONDUIT
HYDROPOWER DEVELOPMENT AND RURAL JOBS ACT
ISSUE:
Should the City Council approve a Resolution supporting the Bureau of Reclamation
Small Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act?
RECOMMENDATION:
This Resolution is at the request of Council Members Ami Nawrocki and Ed Brown.
BACKGROUND:
Many rural water and irrigation districts and electric utilities in Colorado and other
western states seek to develop hydropower on Bureau of Reclamation water canals and
pipelines; however, outdated and unnecessary federal regulations hinder these small
hydropower projects rendering them economically unfeasible. In the state of Colorado
alone, enough canal hydropower units could be installed to equal the hydropower
production of the Glen Canyon Dam. That potential may not be realized because of
current regulations. This Resolution would demonstrate the Council’s support of H.R.
678 and efforts to remove duplicative environmental analysis and reduce regulatory
costs associated with hydropower development.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.