Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Cook), a valuable member of the Committee on Natural Resources, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, today, we are here to consider a bill that aims to remove barriers to improve our Nation's water and power infrastructure. Just last Thursday, the House passed a bill designating the Bureau of Reclamation as the lead agency when it comes to permitting new and expanded water storage projects. Today, the bill before us seeks to clear up regulatory confusion over the development of new pumped storage hydropower. Hydropower can and should be part of an all-of-the-above energy strategy now and well into the future. It is a reliable and emissions- free source of electricity that accounts for a majority of the Nation's total renewable electricity generation. In my home State of Colorado, we have over 60 operating hydropower facilities that generate more than 1,100 megawatts, including new projects such as Carter Lake, South Canal, and Ridgway Reservoir. However, as is the case nationwide, there is potential for new hydropower generation in Colorado. My bill, the Bureau of Reclamation Pumped Storage Hydropower Development Act, H.R. 1967, looks to pave the way for additional clean hydropower generation by clearing up regulatory permitting confusion at existing Bureau of Reclamation facilities. We worked with our colleague from central Washington State, Mr. Newhouse, on this bill.…”