On the recordApril 27, 2015
today, I introduce two bills, S. 1103 and S. 1104, with my colleague from Montana, Senator Jon Tester, my Idaho colleagues Senators Risch and Crapo and also my counterpart in the House, Montana's Representative Ryan Zinke. Current uncertainty in the permitting process threaten sources of clean, renewable power in my State. My bills would allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend a license for nonfederal hydropower development on existing dams in my state of Montana. The first bill would extend for 3 years a contract for hydropower development on the Clark Canyon Dam in Dillon, Montana. The bill would allow for construction and operation of a project that would power about 1,200 homes each year with clean, renewable hydropower, while replacing 18,000 metric tons of carbon each year. The bill would help create 30 to 40 jobs during construction. Further, the project would produce $611,000 in State and Federal taxes over the first 5 years of operation and $37,000 in property tax contributions over the first 5 years. The second bill would provide a 6 year contract extension for nonfederal hydropower development on the Gibson Dam, near August and Choteau Montana. Once completed, the project will provide for decades of stable of tax revenues per year to each Teton and Lewis and Clark Counties, the state of Montana, and the Federal Government.…
