To provide for a study of the potential for increasing hydroelectric power production at existing Federal facilities, and for other purposes.

February 10, 2005

Mr. RADANOVICH introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

To provide for a study of the potential for increasing hydroelectric power production at existing Federal facilities, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Federal Hydropower Enhancement Act of 2005'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that--

(1) Federal multi-purpose dams, reservoirs and associated facilities with hydroelectric generation provide a valuable power resource to electricity consumers, enhance recreational pursuits and help meet various environmental needs;

(2) hydroelectric generation is a renewable resource that plays a significant role in meeting the growing power needs of many communities throughout the Nation; and

(3) the value of these and other Federal hydropower facilities can be further enhanced to optimize more hydroelectric generation.

SEC. 3. INCREASED HYDROELECTRIC POWER PRODUCTION CAPABILITY OF EXISTING FEDERAL FACILITIES.

(a) In General- The Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of the Army shall jointly conduct a study of the potential increasing electric power production capability at Federally owned or operated water regulation, storage, and conveyance facilities.

(b) Content- The study under this section shall include identification and description in detail of each facility that is capable, with or without modification, of producing additional hydroelectric power, including estimation of the existing potential for the facility to generate hydroelectric power.

(c) Report- The Secretaries shall submit to the Congress a report on the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the study under this section by not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act. The report shall include the following:

(1) The identifications, descriptions, and estimations referred to in subsection (b).

(2) A description of activities the Secretary is currently conducting or considering, or that could be considered, to produce additional hydroelectric power from each identified facility.

(3) A summary of prior actions that taken by the Secretaries to produce additional hydroelectric power from each identified facility.

(4) The costs to install, upgrade, or modify equipment or take other actions to produce new or additional hydroelectric power from each identified facility and the level of Federal power customer involvement in the Secretary's determination of such costs.

(5) The benefits that would be achieved by such installation, upgrade, modification, or other action, including quantified estimates of any additional energy or capacity from each facility identified under subsection (b).

(6) A description of actions that are planned, underway, or might reasonably be considered to create or increase hydroelectric power production by replacing turbines.

(7) The impact of increased hydroelectric power production on irrigation, fish, wildlife, Indian tribes, river health, water quality, navigation, recreation, fishing, and flood control.

(8) Any additional recommendations the Secretary considers advisable to increase hydroelectric power production from, and reduce costs and improve efficiency at, facilities under the jurisdiction of the Secretary.

END