Loading...
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of enabling job creators to invest in domestic energy production, and supporting this legislation would change outdated and unnecessary federal regulations that hinder small hydropower projects.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.