Proposed Law Designates Hydropower as Renewable Source of Energy for Alaska-

Congressman Don Young, R-Alaska, recently proposed the Alaska Clean Energy Development Act – or H.R. 5352. The legislation would identify statewide hydropower as renewable for the purposes of the renewable tax credits, federal programs, and standards, if it is less than 50 megawatts or is generated through the use of a lake tap or siphon, pumped storage, or a run of the river system. “The passage of this bill will allow Alaskan communities the potential to generate cheap power and energy with small hydro projects,” Young said. “Hydropower is a renewable, nonpolluting, and reliable energy source, but for some reason was not considered renewable by Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi in her ‘energy suicide act’ of 2007. “America needs not only more oil, gas, coal, nuclear but also hydro and other forms of renewable energy. Alaska has great possibilities when it comes to generating electricity through hydropower, but have not been eligible for many grants, tax credits, and other federal funds because it has not been designated renewable. Hydro is an essential renewable for Alaska, and it needs to be recognized.”