American Whitewater recently submitted testimony to the Water and Power Subcommittee, Committee on Natural Resources, U.S. House of Representatives for their Oversight Hearing on "Hydropower: Providing 75% of America's Current Renewable Energy. Exploring its Role as a Continued Source of Clean, Renewable Energy for the Future".

We presented perspectives on behalf of the paddling community on the need for a more honest review of undeveloped hydropower potential. Past reviews have presented inflated values for future hydropower development in the U.S. and have even included sites that are highly valued for the recreation that are unlikely to be economically or legally feasible for hydropower development.

We also requested that Congress consider development of a periodic review process for federal hydropower facilities that builds and improves upon the comprehensive process for licensing non-federal dams. As our members know we have enjoyed tremendous success through our participation in the FERC licensing process that results in a comprehensive development plan for hydropower facilities that includes not only hydropower but other beneficial uses of rivers like recreation and protection of riverine species. Unfortunately however facilities that are actually owned by the federal government do not have to follow the federal governments own guidelines for non-federal facilities like those operated by the Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and TVA. An evaluation of operating plans for these federally-owned facilities could result in more efficient generation of hydropower along with improved accommodations for recreation as well as fish and wildlife.