Biden Administration Launches $630 Million to Modernize Nation’s Hydropower Fleet: Public Feedback Requested
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The U.S Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Request for Information (RFI) last month, seeking public feedback regarding the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $630 million investments in hydropower facilities.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests in two main programs to modernize the nation’s hydropower facilities and to produce clean and affordable power:
- Maintaining and enhancing hydroelectricity incentives program
$553.6 million in incentive payments will be given to this program to enhance existing hydropower facilities through capital improvements in 3 main areas: dam safety, grid resiliency, and environmental improvements.
- Hydroelectric efficiency improvement incentives program
$75 million in incentive payments will be given to owners or operators of existing hydroelectric facilities. They may apply for funding to make capital improvements, which have the potential to increase efficiency by at least 3%.
The funding is meant for capital improvement projects, which will help hydropower facilities to become resilient and energy efficient. Water is one the most important resources through which clean and carbon-free electricity is generated, therefore, it is absolutely crucial for the Biden administration’s target of reaching a net-zero economy by 2050.
Some facts about hydropower facilities
Here are some facts about what hydropower facilities are currently doing in order to provide us with safe, affordable and efficient power:
- They use the flow of moving water to generate electricity,
- Currently supply 6% of all electricity in the US,
- Account for 32% of renewable-electricity generation,
- Provide critical energy storage, and
Account for 93% of all utility-scale energy storage.
An important fact to note here is that hydropower facilities require upgrades in order to do their job in an efficient manner, and to work in an integrated way with other sources of renewable energy. Thus, it is important that programs providing maintenance for enhancement and efficiency to hydropower facilities be awarded funding.
President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is doing a great thing by investing in modernizing the nation’s hydropower facilities. This funding is proof of the Biden administration’s commitment towards achieving a net-zero economy.
How can you provide feedback?
The RFI solicits feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, including industry, clean-energy advocates, and officials in areas that generate hydroelectricity, on the structure of these programs, timing and distribution of funds, definitions of capital improvements, and selection criteria.
Feedback must be submitted electronically. Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. EDT on September 6, 2022, and can be submitted to WPTORFI@ee.doe.gov.
On Tuesday, August 9, 2022, from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm ET, DOE will hold an informal webinar to discuss general feedback from all those interested in providing feedback.
Here are some links you may visit:
