CC - Item III.B - Improve Federal Relicensing Procedures For Hydroelectric Power PlantsW
staf epor
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS
ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
FROM: FRANK G. TRIPEPI, CITY MANAGER W
DATE: APRIL 11, 2000
RE: RESOLUTION NO. 00-16 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROSEMEAD URGING CONGRESS TO IMPROVE FEDERAL
RELICENSING PROCEDURES FOR HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
Electric utilities across the nation need to relicense many existing hydroelectric power plants.
Southern California Edison has been providing hydropower for over seventy-five year to California
consumers. Hydroelectric power is a clean, dependable, efficient energy source that is vital to
California's economic, environmental and energy policy objectives. Despite the value of
hydroelectric power, it is also a resource at risk due to the overwhelming regulatory burdens and
costs associated with federal hydroelectric power relicensing processes.
Due to the multitude of statutes, regulations, agency policies and court decisions impacting
hydroelectric relicensing procedures, a typical hydroelectric license application can now take from
eight to ten years to weave it's way through the relicensing process. In some cases relicensing has
taken more than twenty years. If current trends continue, our state and nation could lose a number of
hydroelectric projects, and with them, enormous clean energy benefits. Absent hydropower projects,
the nation would emit an additional 1,000,000 tons of ozone-causing nitrogen oxide, 1,780,000 tons
of sulfur dioxide, and 340,000,000 tons of carbon dioxide every year.
Given that over the next fifteen years, forty-five percent of California's hydropower capacity must be
relicensed, it is important that immediate attention be given to improving federal hydroelectric power
licensing procedures. Resolution No. 00-16 calls for Congress to improve federal relicensing
processes; thereby protecting the environment and ensuring a viable hydroelectric industry.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve Resolution No. 00-16.
COUNCIL AGENDA
APR 1.12000
ITEM No.~-
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RESOLUTION NO. 00-16
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD
URGING CONGRESS TO IMPROVE FEDERAL RELICENSING
PROCEDURES FOR HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
WHEREAS, hydroelectric power is a clean, dependable, efficient energy source that is vital to
California's economic, environmental and energy policy objectives. Despite the value
of hydroelectric power, it is also a resource at risk due to the overwhelming
regulatory burdens and costs associated with federal hydroelectric power relicensing
processes; and
WHEREAS, due to the multitude of statutes, regulations, agency policies and court decisions
impacting hydroelectric relicensing procedures, a typical hydroelectric license
application can now take from eight to ten years to weave it's way through the
relicensing process, some having taken more than twenty years; and
WHEREAS, in the next fifteen years, forty-five percent of California's hydropower capacity must
be relicensed; and
WHEREAS, if current trends continue, our state and nation could lose a number of hydroelectric
projects, and with them, enormous clean energy benefits. Moreover, California
consumers could face increased energy replacement costs; and
WHEREAS, the City of Rosemead supports the continued need for and benefits of cost-effective
hydroelectric power generation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD URGES CONGRESS TO IMPROVE FEDERAL RELICENSING
PROCEDURES FOR HYDROELECTRIC POWER RESOURCES; AND FURTHER,
REQUESTS ALL MEMBERS OF THE CALIFORNIA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
TO SUPPORT HYDROPOWER LICENSING IMPROVEMENTS TO PROTECT THE
ENVIRONMENT WHILE ENSURING A VIABLE HYDROELECTRIC INDUSTRY.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED THIS 11TH DAY OF APRIL, 2000.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK