Newhouse bill ramps up renewable energy production, storage in Pacific Northwest

U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) this week proposed legislation to help increase renewable energy production and storage in the Pacific Northwest.

Rep. Newhouse sponsored the Pacific Northwest Pumped Storage Hydropower Development Act of 2021, H.R. 2641, which aims to improve permitting for pumped storage hydroelectric projects, create jobs in central Washington, and protect tribal interests, according to his office.

“This legislation enhances our region’s hydropower capabilities while strengthening Washington’s leadership in our nation’s pathway to a clean energy future,” Rep. Newhouse said. “By streamlining the permitting process for pumped storage projects, we can encourage investment across the country.”

More immediately, the congressman said that H.R. 2641 will pave the way for a pumped storage project in his Washington State congressional district that will create jobs, improve storage capabilities, and increase the supply of clean, carbon-free energy.

Pumped hydropower storage generates electricity by pumping water between two reservoirs when electricity prices and demand are high. Currently, both the Bureau of Reclamation and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission have jurisdiction over non-federal hydropower development at Bureau of Reclamation facilities. The requirement for two separate permitting processes is inefficient, drives up project costs, and can disincentivize pumped storage development at facilities that have to go through both processes, according to Rep. Newhouse’s April 20 statement.

If enacted, H.R. 2641 would provide sole jurisdiction to the Bureau of Reclamation and protect the rights of Native American Tribes in the permitting process, the statement says.

The bill has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee.