Hydropower Program
Lease of Power Privilege Website The Lease of Power Privilege website offers guidance for potential developers, stakeholder groups, and Reclamation staff. The website hosts the Directive and Standard as well as LOPP flowcharts, example and guidance documents, and contact information for further inquiries. The laws and memorandum governing Reclamation’s right to contract a LOPP are provided, as well as a catalog of current LOPP projects. Quoting Kerry McCalman, Senior Advisor Hydropower, “This website makes the Lease of Power Privilege process accessible to potential developers and stakeholder groups. This effort builds on Reclamation’s commitment to sustainable hydropower development and environmental stewardship.” Lease of Power Privilege Website.
Departments of Energy and Interior Announce $26.6 Million in Funding to Develop Advanced Hydropower Technologies - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu and U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today announced $26.6 million in funding for research and development projects to advance hydropower technology, including pumped storage hydropower. This funding is focused on development of innovative technologies that can produce power more efficiently, reduce costs and increase sustainable hydropower generation at sites not previously considered practical. More... Hydropower Memorandum of Understanding - A Memorandum of Understanding for Hydropower was signed on March 24, 2010 between the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Army (DOA). The purpose of the MOU is to help meet the Nation's needs for reliable. affordable, and environmentally sustainable hydropower by building a long-term working relationship, prioritizing similar goals, and aligning ongoing and future renewable energy development efforts between DOE, DOI, and DOA through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (Copy of Signed MOU)
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For More Information:Hydropower Memorandum of Understanding
Hydropower Resource Assessment At Existing Facilities
Lease of Power Privilege "Through these leases, Reclamation is able to work with non-federal entities and project beneficiaries to increase the amount of renewable hydropower produced in meeting the growing energy needs of the nation," said Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor. "This directive and standard provides a clear and understandable process to develop hydropower on Reclamation's dams and canals." The directive and standard provides clear guidance and timelines on LOPP requirements, assigns roles and responsibilities within the organization for LOPP development, sets a standard methodology across Reclamation for the LOPP charges and identifies all potential charges for developers. A LOPP is used when Reclamation chooses to lease its right to develop power at one of its facilities when that power development doesn't interfere with other authorized project purposes. The directive and standard (FAC 04-08) can be viewed at http://on.doi.gov/SrhRrW.
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Additional 1.5 Million Megawatt-hours of Renewable Energy Could Be Generated through Hydropower at Existing Reclamation Sites -As part of President Obama's all-of-the-above strategy for American energy, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Anne Castle announced today that the department has identified 373 existing Bureau of Reclamation canals and conduits that have the combined potential of generating an additional 365,219 megawatt-hours of hydropower annually. 