Washington, DC – Today, the House of Representatives passed HR 460, legislation sponsored by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (UT-03) that addresses hydro power on the Diamond Fork System of the Central Utah Project. HR 460, the Bonneville Unit Clean Hydropower Facilitation Act passed the House as Title II of HR 2578, the Conservation and Economic Growth Act by a vote of 232 – 188.
HR 460 will spur development of hydroelectric power on the Diamond Fork System of the Central Utah Project.В The tunnels and canals of the Diamond Fork System currently move water from Strawberry Reservoir to Utah and Salt Lake Counties.В The water that flows through these same tunnels and canals is expected to generate approximately 50 megawatts of clean, renewable hydropower.
“Utah is a great place to live, work, raise a family, do business, and recreate,” said Rep. Chaffetz. “The Bonneville Unit Clean Hydropower Facilitation Act will empower responsible, local economic development, facilitate job creation, and reduce cumbersome federal red tape.”
Current law prevents development of this renewable resource.В HR 460 would change the law to promote development.В The Congressional Budget Office estimates that $4 million in federal revenue would be generated within the first ten years alone.
The House previously passed HR 460 during the 111th Congress, but it failed to advance in the Senate. HR 2578 now moves to the Senate for consideration.