Pumped Storage Hydropower Bill Could Add 500 Megawatts, 1,000 Jobs

4th District Representative Dan Newhouse talked Thursday about his reasons for partnering with Senator Maria Cantwell to introduce the Pacific Northwest Pumped Storage Hydropower Development Act.

Newhouse said the legislation would improve the permitting process for pumped storage projects, which generate electricity by pumping water between two reservoirs when electricity prices and demand are high.

Currently, both the Bureau of Reclamation and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission have jurisdiction over non-federal hydropower development at Bureau of Reclamation facilities.

"Through that we'll be able to increase the amount of renewable energy production and storage in our part of the country." Newhouse said, "Certainly contribute the economic activity in the Pacific Northwest and create jobs and provide opportunities for people by improving the availability of power."

A $1.4 billion pumped storage project has been proposed between Banks Lake and Lake Roosevelt. The project could add 500 megawatts to the electric grid while creating around 1,000 construction jobs.