Matheson bill allowing for clean hydro power passes House

Salt Lake City, UT — Congressman Jim Matheson said today his bill clearing a roadblock to the development of hydropower within the Central Utah Project’s Diamond Fork system is a win for the state’s need for additional clean, affordable electricity.  The bill –HR 2008—“The Bonneville Unit Clean Hydropower Facilitation Act”—passed by voice vote today in the House.  It is cosponsored by Utah 3rd District Congressman Jason Chaffetz.

Matheson said the bill resolves impediments to construction of hydropower facilities that were included in the Central Utah Project (CUP).

“Any developer of power at Diamond Fork –which was always envisioned—faced an economic disadvantage, before installing any power turbines or building transmission lines,” said Matheson.  “This bill clears away that already-sunk cost and opens economic opportunity to the development of clean power.”

“Hydropower is the original ‘green’ form of energy that has time and again kept the lights on in the West.  This bipartisan bill benefits the environment, the tax-payer and the people of Utah,” said Rep. Chaffetz.  “Congress often speaks of energy security, but today we did something about it.”

Matheson said Sen. Bob Bennett has introduced the bill in the Senate.

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