Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) announced that portions of a clean energy incentive bill he introduced are now law as part of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which approves and funds water infrastructure projects. WRDA included language from Peters’ Hydropower Permit Extension (HYPE) Act, which encourages greater investment in clean energy by giving already-approved hydropower projects a four-year extension if there are delays on breaking ground.

“Hydropower is a clean, baseload source of energy that can help us meet our clean energy goals for decades to come. One project from San Diego’s cleantech sector is generating renewable energy to power more than 300,000 homes in our region, and developing innovative storage solutions. Giving hydropower projects flexibility ensures more approved hydropower projects, that already met high environmental standards, actually get built. Investing in hydropower is key to meeting our clean energy goals, and reducing harmful emissions that contribute to climate change.

The bill also includes a section that directs the government to issue a feasibility study of the Tijuana River flood mitigation and environmental restoration, which Rep. Peters supported and helped pass in June.

 “This bill also includes a long-overdue study of the Tijuana River’s flood risk management and ecosystem restoration. It is huge step forward in addressing the environmental harm the spills caused San Diego and Mexico,” said Rep. Peters.

Previously, hydropower project permits could only be extended by an act of Congress. The change will provide greater certainty for power supply and construction work for communities across the country.