Late last month, U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released a discussion draft of a bill that is, by far, the most dangerous piece of hydropower legislation for rivers that we've seen in over a decade. The proposed "Hydropower Regulatory Modernization Act of 2015" would take the hydropower industry back to the days that brought about massive hydropower development during the last century, where developers could dam a river, take out all of the flow and barely give a second thought to the fish, wildlife, habitat or the recreation economies that depend on them. 

The draft bill accomplishes this, in part, by eliminating provisions in the Federal Power Act that American Whitewater, our partners, tribes, state and federal agencies, and local communities have used to revive countless rivers across the country in recent decades. The benefits that you enjoy and that protect rivers are at risk– from whitewater recreation releases and environmental flows, to fish passage and minimum instream flows for aquatic species, and even removing deadbeat dams.

Proponents say that this bill is about renewable energy, protecting the environment and supporting recreation opportunities. Do not be fooled. Big hydropower industries are behind this bill and they want to dam all of the few remaining freely-flowing rivers that we have left and undermine the public's ability to restore some of what's been lost at existing dams. 

If passed, the bill would: 

- Open the door for a lot of new hydropower dams to be built on rivers across the country; 

- Allow FERC to extend hydropower licenses to 70 years; 

- Remove the balance that is currently required between power development and resource protection and public benefits (like recreation, access and aesthetic values);

- Provide special treatment and incentives for hydropower that are not enjoyed by any other energy sector–renewable or not. 

The proposed bill follows after the Department of Energy set a goal last year to double hydropower production by 2030 and published its New Stream Reach Development report. American Whitewater has noted that fully developing the rivers for hydropower identified in the DOE report would require rolling back bedrock environmental laws like the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act. Not surprisingly, hydropower companies took the cue and drafted a bill that removes the authority of agencies that protect clean water, fish and wildlife, and recreation, and instead proposes to give exclusive authority to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which is the federal agency that issues hydropower licenses and regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas and oil. The bill tips the balance to encourage more development of hydropower at the expense of recreation and fish and the local communities that are economically dependent on rivers. 

We'll follow up with more information about the bill and talking points for you to take action very soon. If you're inspired to take action today, you can:

- Reach out to your Senators and Representatives and let them know that you oppose the "Hydropower Regulatory Modernization Act of 2015." Share your personal experience enjoying rivers where hydropower projects provide recreational flows. Ask that they oppose any bill that would undermine the public's ability to balance hydropower interests with non-power values like recreation, fish and wildlife. 

- Spread the word, and when you share your river stories on social media, include #NoNewDams.