Thursday, Mar 8 2012 4:45PM

The House of Representatives is set to discuss The Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act of 2011, sponsored by Congressman Scott Tipton.

The legislation would create jobs and expand pending production of clean, renewable energy by getting rid of duplicative red tape on small canal and pipeline hydropower development projects.

Hydropower is an inexpensive, renewable and emission-free source of energy that provides users low-cost electricity, Tipton noted. He added that the bill would streamline the regulatory process while also reducing administrative costs for development by using already existing canals and pipes.

"By streamlining the regulatory process, and reducing administrative costs for small hydropower development at Reclamation's facilities, this common sense legislation will encourage the production of clean, renewable hydropower and provide much needed opportunities for the creation of new jobs in parts of Colorado and the nation's hardest hit rural areas," said Tipton.

The bill was approved by the Natural Resources Committee and is endorsed by the Association of California Water Agencies, the Family Farm Alliance, the National Water Resources Association and the American Public Power Association.

For further information, check out this source: Congressman Scott Tipton