Reid lauds President’s efforts to ensure economic stability in Southern Nevada 

December 20, 2011

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today announced that President Obama has signed into law the Hoover Power Allocation Act. Reid first introduced this legislation in 2009 before reintroducing it in March of 2011.  This law ensures that clean, renewable electricity from Hoover Dam will continue to power Nevada through 2067. 

“I commend President Obama for ensuring 50 more years of affordable, renewable energy for Nevada,” Reid said.  “Hoover Dam is a critical element of Southern Nevada’s economy and I’m proud to have worked on this legislation to help secure Nevada’s energy future. This legislation is good for our economy and our environment and I look forward to seeing Nevada benefit from this agreement for decades to come.” 

The Hoover Power Allocation Act helps Nevada’s economy by providing affordable, renewable energy to multiple entities throughout Nevada including the Southern Nevada Water Authority, Boulder City, Lincoln County, Overton Power District, Valley Electric, and Nevada industries at the Basic Management Industrial Complex near Henderson. The electricity generated at Hoover Dam also helps Nevada to meet peak demands at lower costs. 

RECENT LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND:

• In December 2011, President Obama signs the Hoover Power Allocation Act into law.
• In October 2011, the Senate passes the Hoover Power Allocation.
• In October 2011, the House of Representatives passes the Hoover Power Allocation Act.
• In July 2011, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved the legislation.
• In March 2011, Senator Reid introduced the Hoover Power Allocation Act, S.519, in the Senate.
• Last Congress, Senator Reid lead the Nevada delegation in introducing the Hoover Power Allocation Act in December 2009.
• In June 2010, Senator Reid submitted testimony on clean energy from the Hoover Dam to the Senate water and power subcommittee hearing.
• Last Congress, Republicans blocked the bipartisan Hoover Power Allocation Act as part of a public lands bill.

BACKGROUND ON HOOVER DAM

The Boulder Canyon Project Act of 1928 authorized the Secretary of Interior to construct Hoover Dam and enter into contracts for the sale of power generated at the dam.

Hoover Dam is operated and maintained by the Bureau of Reclamation and it was dedicated by President Roosevelt in 1935.

There are 17 main turbines in the Hoover Power Plant -- nine on the Arizona wing and eight on the Nevada wing.
According to the Bureau of Reclamation, Nevada receives approximately 25 percent of the electricity generated at Hoover Dam and the ten-year average annual net generation for Hoover Dam through 2008 was about 4.2 billion kilowatt-hours.

By statute, the Colorado River Commission delivers some of that electricity to municipalities like Boulder City; Lincoln County; Overton Power District; and Valley Electric.  The Commission also delivers power to the Basic Management Industrial Complex near Henderson.

In 1984, Congress enacted the Hoover Power Plant Act which authorized the Secretary of Energy to allocate the power produced at the dam under three schedules and the allocation of power under these schedules was scheduled to expire in 2017.

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