Congressman Don Young spoke from the House Floor on his amendment to the House appropriations bill that supports the Water Power Technologies Office at the Department of Energy.
The Water Power Technologies Office funds grant programs that assist in the construction of hydro-power, pumped storage and marine energy projects, and expands energy infrastructure in low-income, economically distressed, under-served, and rural communities.
Congressman Young: “Hydro-power is clean and produces no emissions and uses the energy of running water, without reducing its quantity, to produce electricity. My state of Alaska has tremendous hydroelectric potential. Although Alaska’s total energy consumption is among the 10 lowest states, its per-capita energy consumption is the 4th highest in the US because of our small population, terrain, geographic parameters. The cost of electricity in Alaska can be twice that of the lower 48. This increased cost of power in the residential sector has significant economic impacts for Alaska families. Many communities rely on expensive diesel generation for electricity and home heating. This amendment supports hydro-power which provides many residents and businesses in Alaska with low-cost, renewable, clean, and reliable power.”
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office enables research, development, and testing of emerging technologies to advance marine energy as well as next generation hydro-power and pumped storage systems for a flexible, reliable grid.