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Urgent - Very bad Hydropower bill being considered Printed From: ProfessorPaddle.com Category: General Forum Name: Whitewater Forum Forum Discription: Open Discussion Forum. Whitewater related subjects only URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=14918 Printed Date: 28 Apr 2024 at 7:04pm Topic: Urgent - Very bad Hydropower bill being considered Posted By: irenen Subject: Urgent - Very bad Hydropower bill being considered Date Posted: 11 May 2015 at 12:46pm Hi, I'm passing on what I just got in an email from American Whitewater, we only have 2 days to contact our Representatives and Senators, they are asking us to jump on it. From AW: --------- There's a draft bill making its way through Congress that threatens to gut the Federal Power Act - targeting the very tools that we've used over the last 25+ years to put water back into rivers impacted by hydropower. If passed, this bill would mean a lot more new dams and a lot less water in rivers at existing hydropower dams. Chances are very high that it could spell the end of whitewater flows at private and municipal hydropower dams, along with no access, no fish passage and no consideration for all of the things that make a river a river. We need all hands on deck as this bill moves through Congress. Here's how you can help now. This Wednesday, May 13th, the House Energy & Commerce Committee will hold a hearing about the draft bill relating to "Hydropower Regulatory Modernization." It's important for everyone to reach out to their Representative before the hearing and ask that they oppose the Hydropower Regulatory Modernization Act. Share your personal experience enjoying rivers where hydropower projects provide recreational flows, and ask that they oppose any bill that would undermine the public's ability to balance hydropower interests with non-power values like recreation, fish and wildlife. The bill is bad news because it: strips state and federal agencies of their ability to protect clean water, recreation and fish and wildlife, reduces local and regional oversight over resource protections and priorities, places the authority in the hands of an unaccountable, unelected Commission in Washington D.C. restricts data collection and the use of current, sound science in the decision making process Please contact your Representative before the hearing on Wednesday, May 13th! Note that there's Senate version as well (S. 1236,"Hydropower Improvement Act," introduced by Senator Murkowski). While you're at it, it would be a good idea to contact your Senator too. Find your Representative link: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/ - http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/ Find your Senator link: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm - http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm Thanks, I know this stuff takes time but it's a constant battle, AW is working hard to keep our rivers wild and accessible (and flowing). ------------- It's all fun and games until someone loses a paddle. Replies: Posted By: Portage Bro Date Posted: 11 May 2015 at 8:09pm That was easy, thank you! Posted By: irenen Date Posted: 11 May 2015 at 9:17pm Thank YOU! :) ------------- It's all fun and games until someone loses a paddle. Posted By: dave Date Posted: 12 May 2015 at 7:50am But we need more power and water so we can water our lawns, drive our cars more (like to the river and back), and enjoy more luxuries in life...we are a decadent, fat, capatilistic society after all... ------------- Nomad Posted By: irenen Date Posted: 12 May 2015 at 2:03pm Whatever. :) Please also take a breather from the cynicism to contact your legislator... Thanks! ------------- It's all fun and games until someone loses a paddle. Posted By: irenen Date Posted: 12 May 2015 at 2:19pm Here's the text of what I wrote in case it saves anyone time: =========== Hello (Rep/Sen), I'm writing to ask you to oppose the proposed Hydropower Regulatory Modernization Act.  This bill would not modernize hydropower regulation, it would strip state and federal agencies of their power to protect clean water, recreation, fish and wildlife, and would place the authority in the hands of an unelected, unaccountable commission in Washington D.C.  Thank you, ============== Not expecting a Pulitzer, I just know everything takes time and if this makes it easier for someone to comment today please feel free to use it.  Cheers. ------------- It's all fun and games until someone loses a paddle. Posted By: huckin harms Date Posted: 12 May 2015 at 2:29pm Thanks Irene for highlighting this issue!

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