33 USC 2321b - Expediting hydropower at Corps of Engineers facilities

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 2321b.

Expediting hydropower at Corps of Engineers facilities

(a)

Policy

Congress declares that it is the policy of the United States that—

(1)

the development of non-Federal hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers water resources development projects, including locks and dams, shall be given priority;

(2)

Corps of Engineers approval of non-Federal hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers water resources development projects, including permitting required under section 408 of this title, shall be completed by the Corps of Engineers in a timely and consistent manner; and

(3)

approval of hydropower at Corps of Engineers water resources development projects shall in no way diminish the other priorities and missions of the Corps of Engineers, including authorized project purposes and habitat and environmental protection.

(b)

Implementation of policy

The Secretary shall—

(1)

ensure that the policy described in subsection (a) is implemented nationwide in an efficient, consistent, and coordinated manner; and

(2)

assess opportunities—

(A)

to increase the development of hydroelectric power at existing water resources development projects of the Corps of Engineers with hydroelectric facilities; and

(B)

to develop new hydroelectric power at existing nonpowered water resources development projects of the Corps of Engineers.

(c)

Report

Not later than 2 years after June 10, 2014, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and make publicly available a report that, at a minimum, shall include—

(1)

a description of initiatives carried out by the Secretary to encourage the development of hydroelectric power by non-Federal entities at Corps of Engineers water resources development projects and to meet the requirements of subsection (b);

(2)

a list of all new hydroelectric power activities by non-Federal entities approved at Corps of Engineers water resources development projects in that fiscal year, including the length of time the Secretary needed to approve those activities;

(3)

a description of the status of each pending application from non-Federal entities for approval to develop hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers water resources development projects;

(4)

a description of any benefits or impacts to the environment, recreation, or other uses associated with Corps of Engineers water resources development projects at which non-Federal entities have developed hydroelectric power in the previous fiscal year; and

(5)

the total annual amount of payments or other services provided to the Corps of Engineers, the Treasury, and any other Federal agency as a result of approved non-Federal hydropower projects at Corps of Engineers water resources development projects.

(d)

Reviewing hydropower at Corps of Engineers facilities

(1)

Definition of eligible non-Federal interest

(2)

Evaluation

(A)

In general

(B)

Deadline

Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary receives a written request under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall provide to the non-Federal interest a written response to inform the non-Federal interest—

(i)

that the Secretary has approved the request to conduct an evaluation; or

(ii)

of any additional information necessary for the Secretary to approve the request to conduct an evaluation.

(3)

Operational changes

An operational change referred to in paragraph (2)(A) may include—

(A)

changes to seasonal pool levels;

(B)

modifying releases from the project; and

(C)

other changes included in the written request submitted under that paragraph that enhance the usage of the project to facilitate production of non-Federal hydropower, consistent with authorized project purposes.

(4)

Cost share

(5)

Deadline

(6)

Report

(7)

Savings provision

Nothing in this subsection—

(A)

affects the authorized purposes of a Corps of Engineers water resources development project;

(B)

affects existing authorities of the Corps of Engineers, including authorities with respect to navigation, flood damage reduction, environmental protection and restoration, water supply and conservation, and other related purposes; or

(C)

authorizes the Secretary to make any operational changes to a Corps of Engineers water resources development project.

(Pub. L. 113–121, title I, § 1008, June 10, 2014, 128 Stat. 1215; Pub. L. 116–260, div. AA, title I, § 146, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2655; Pub. L. 117–263, div. H, title LXXXI, § 8123, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3714.)

cite as: 33 USC 2321b