Representative Grace F. Napolitano Representing the 38th District of California
 
  For Immediate Release Contact: 202-225-5256  
December 16, 2009  
     

Rep. Napolitano Introduces Hoover Dam Bill with New Provisions for Native Americans

     
     

(Washington D.C.)- Today, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano introduced HR 4349, the Hoover Power Allocation Act of 2009, which will allow Nevada, Arizona, and the California cities of Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Anaheim, Azusa, Banning, Colton, Riverside and Vernon continued access to electricity from the Hoover Dam, some of the cheapest and cleanest power in the country. The bill also includes historic new provisions that will allow Native American tribes to access the dam’s power for the first time.

Hoover Dam power allocations for state utilities and municipalities were last authorized in 1984, and are set to expire in 2017. This bill allows the Hoover Dam to continue to provide power through the year 2067.  Reauthorizing Hoover power allocations early is necessary in order for electric and water utilities to meet future planning requirements, ensure effective regional transmission planning, and provide reliable water deliveries.

In previous authorizations, Native American organizations were not eligible to receive power allocations from the Hoover Dam. This latest authorization will allow them new access to electricity, along with irrigation districts, military installations, municipal agencies, and other entities that were previously unable to use power generated by the dam.

“This bill will allow the Hoover Dam to continue supplying power that is clean and inexpensive, and give Native American tribes new access to its electricity,” Napolitano said. “29 million residents in California, Arizona, and Nevada and thousands of Native Americans will be able to depend on the Hoover Dam for power for another 50 years.”

Rep. Napolitano is the Chair of the Water and Power Subcommittee in the U.S. House of Representatives.

An identical Senate version of the bill (S. 2891) has been introduced by Sen. Harry Reid, and has the support of California Sens. Feinstein and Boxer.

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