POWER Act

This bill limits when the federal government can take out (breach) federally operated dams and when it can shut down hydropower from those dams. It blocks dam breaching if it would raise carbon emissions by more than 5%, make the waterway less usable for shipping, or raise the price of goods moved on that water by at least 5%. It also blocks breaching if the replacement energy source would need at least 5% more land than the dam uses. Before deciding, the Army must consult with federal and state agencies and, if breaching is considered, study how many acres the dam occupies.

The bill also says hydropower from these dams can’t be retired if it would raise customer electric bills by more than 5% or cut energy reliability by more than 5% in parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, or California, as determined by the Bonneville Power Administration. If any hydropower is retired, the lost “baseload” power must be fully replaced within 30 days.

Key points

• Who is affected: Communities and businesses that rely on hydropower, barge shipping, and affordable electricity in the Pacific Northwest and nearby states.
• What changes: Limits dam breaching and hydropower retirement when they would raise emissions, shipping costs, land use, electric rates, or reduce reliability beyond set 5% thresholds; requires agency consultation and a land study if breaching is considered; requires quick, full replacement of lost baseload power.
• When: The 30-day timeline applies after any retirement of hydropower; other rules apply to decisions about breaching or retiring dams.