Jim Costa: “I want to thank the ranking member, Congresswoman Napolitano, for her efforts on this legislation, Chairman Doc…”

“I want to thank the ranking member, Congresswoman Napolitano, for her efforts on this legislation, Chairman Doc Hastings, as well as the chair of the subcommittee, Tom McClintock, and the author of this measure, Congressman Tipton, for trying to bring folks together. {time} 1350 Mr. Chairman, people from every walk of life are looking to Congress today to see if we can come together to deal with any of our problems, whether they be big, small, or in between. I rise today to support legislation, I think, that does that. This isn't the biggest legislation we'll deal with this year, nor is it the smallest; but it's something that will help America's energy policy. Our bipartisan bill would amend the Reclamation Act, as has been stated, of 1939, to create a permanent process for how local irrigation districts and water agencies develop this very valuable, renewable, carbon-free energy at our reclamation facilities. And as we're putting together an energy policy that uses all-of-the-above, this becomes an important part. H.R. 678, the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act, is a bipartisan bill that puts existing resources and knowledge we already have to expand one of the most important tools in our Nation's energy toolbox. Let me repeat that: one of the most important tools in our Nation's energy toolbox.…”