Federal Power Act Reform

May 2023
Written By Ron Stork

National Capital by Ron Stork

A group of environmental organizations active in hydropower relicensing (including Friends of the River) in collaboration with hydro industry players (collectively, the “Uncommon Dialogue”) have arrived at a set of reforms to the Federal Power Act that have been introduced in the Congress.

The Uncommon Dialogue reforms provide for smoother dam relicensing and removal, and more tribal participation and sovereignty. The Federal Power Act (coupled with the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act) establishes the basic rules of the road to mitigate the effect of non-federal hydropower dams — and even how they can be removed.

Unfortunately, competing against it will be “reforms” offered by House GOP leaders largely aimed at reducing the attention provided to environmental measures.

Senator Daines

Senator Cantwell

Resources

Press release by NHA on bill introduction

One pager: Community and Hydropower Improvement Act

Bill text: Community and Hydropower Improvement Act

Ron Stork

Ron has worked for decades in flood management, federal water resources development, hydropower reform, and Wild & Scenic Rivers. He joined Friends of the River as Associate Conservation Director in 1987, and is now a senior member of FOR’s policy staff.

Ron was presented the prestigious River Conservationist of the Year award by Perception in 1996 for his work to stop the Auburn dam. In 2004, he received the California Urban Water Conservation Council’s Excellence Award for statewide and institutional innovations in water conservation. In 2024, he received the Frank Church Wild and Scenic Rivers award from the River Management Society for outstanding accomplishments in designation and management of wild and scenic rivers in California and nationally.

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