Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander joined with a bipartisan group of her colleagues, including Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), and Claudia Tenney (R-NY), to introduce the Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act, legislation extending a 30 percent investment tax credit (ITC) on American hydroelectric investments to improve power production, provide environmental benefits, and remove outdated dam infrastructure through 2031.
“Hydropower is at the heart of lowering energy costs for hardworking Granite Staters and making America the world’s clean energy superpower,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “I’m proud to be working to get this important bipartisan legislation across the finish line.”
“We wish to sincerely thank Representative Goodlander for co-sponsoring the bipartisan Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act. Hydropower is the oldest form of clean energy and New Hampshire has benefitted from this homegrown reliable power source for centuries. The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) contained in this legislation will improve energy production while providing environmental benefits across the state and the country. This ITC will help our members’ projects to provide economic and recreational benefits as well as improve dam safety, support fish passage, strengthen grid resilience and support jobs and tax revenues statewide,” said Bob King, President of the Granite State Hydropower Association.
For the full text of this legislation, click here.
Congresswoman Goodlander has dedicated her career to serving New Hampshire and our country. Before taking the oath of office to represent New Hampshire in Congress, she helped to launch the first-ever United States Department of Justice Office of Environmental Justice dedicated to protecting overburdened and underserved communities across America from the harm caused by pollution, environmental crimes, and the climate crisis.
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Background on this legislation:
Currently, the investment tax credit (ITC) covering hydropower only applies to investments that produce a marginal increase in power generation. Vital environmental and maintenance investments such as new fish passage to help enhance aquatic ecosystems, structural upgrades to ensure the safety of dams, and generator rewinds to improve grid resiliency that do not result in power increases are not currently eligible for this credit. With many decades-old hydroelectric dams facing costly upgrades to continue operating safely and economically, the Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act of 2023 bridges the gap in current law.
This bipartisan bill would also support local efforts to remove non-power producing river barriers, including abandoned or obsolete dams, dikes, or embankments, allowing those rivers to run free and naturally once again. Private, state, local, and non-profit groups could use the 30 percent federal tax incentive, with a direct pay option, to support efforts to demolish and remove unnecessary barriers with the owner’s consent. Removing obsolete river obstructions that no longer meet their intended purpose nor benefit society can provide new outdoor recreation opportunities, create new fish and wildlife habitats, spur local economic development, and increase the resilience of rivers.
