Reid First Introduced Legislation in 2009; Ensures Nevadans Benefit from Hoover’s Clean Energy

July 14, 2011

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid’s legislation, the Hoover Power Allocation Act, passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee this morning. Senator Reid introduced this legislation in March of this year in the Senate. The bill ensures that clean, affordable and renewable hydropower from the Hoover Dam continues to benefit consumers in Nevada.

“Hoover Dam plays a vital role supplying power to municipal operations, businesses and more than 29 million people in Nevada and throughout the region,” said Reid.  “Reauthorization of the Hoover Power Allocation Act will ensure that Nevada’s oldest clean energy project can continue supplying reliable and affordable electricity to those that depend on it for decades to come.”

The House Committee on Natural Resources approved this legislation in June 2011.

BACKGROUND:

•    In March 2011, Senator Reid introduced the Hoover Power Allocation Act, S.519, in the Senate.
•    In December 2009, Senator Reid led the Nevada delegation in introducing the Hoover Power Allocation Act during the last Congress.
•    In June 2010, Senator Reid submitted testimony on clean energy from the Hoover Dam to the Senate Subcommittee on Water and Power.
•    Last Congress, Republicans blocked the bipartisan Hoover Power Allocation Act as part of a public lands bill. 

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