Dec. 14, 2001 — The Hydropower Reform Coalition (HRC) applauded the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for shining a spotlight on 39 rivers across the country that they say are burdened by antiquated dam licenses, but emphasized that action must follow.
The HRC also called on Congress to include language in its energy bill to ensure that modern licenses for the more than 450 dams due for licensing in the next 10 years are issued in a timely manner with appropriate conditions to protect the health of public rivers.
"Chairman Wood's attention to these antiquated hydropower dam licenses is a positive sign for the future of our rivers," said Matt Sicchio, Coordinator of the HRC.
"We hope this attention is followed by action that brings these dams up to modern environmental standards as soon as possible. After all, these dams have been using public rivers with little or no environmental protections for decades."
Yesterday, FERC concluded the second day of a public workshop examining the 51 oldest pending applications for hydropower dams. The workshop follows on the heels of a report issued by the HRC last Friday which highlights the harm done to 39 rivers by these 51 hydropower projects.
"FERC's workshop illustrates the need for Congress to step in and eliminate the incentives that lead utilities to drag their feet in licensing," said Andrew Fahlund, Policy Director for Hydropower Programs at American Rivers.
"When their licenses expire, utilities are granted 'annual licenses' year after year that permit them to continue generating power under conditions written 30 to 50 years ago. Until a new license is issued, decades of environmental damage continues unmitigated. It's time for Congress to remove the perverse incentive created by these annual licenses."
Congress is considering changes to the laws governing non-federal hydropower dam licenses in its energy bill. The House energy bill (H.R. 4), passed earlier this year, contains modest changes to hydropower licensing, while the latest Senate bill introduced by Majority Leader Daschle (D-SD) takes a more extensive look at the issue.
"Senator Daschle's bill takes a good first step towards eliminating some of the flaws in the licensing process," added Fahlund. "However, Congress to date has largely been silent on the role of state environmental agencies. We strongly urge the Senate to protect the ability of these state agencies to enforce state standards for water quality and fish and wildlife protection."
For more information, visit http://www.amrivers.org/pressrelease/hydro12.12.01.htm.
