Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) applauded the Department of Energy (DOE)’s announcement to invest $430 million to upgrade 293 hydropower and hydroelectric facilities across the United States. The Grid Deployment Office’s Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives program is based on Kuster’s 21st Century Dams Act, which calls for a national plan to rehabilitate, retrofit, or remove the nation’s aging dams. Of the 293 projects selected, 17 are located in New Hampshire. 

“Hydropower is one of the oldest and most reliable forms of renewable energy available and plays a critical role in meeting our clean energy goals. However, many of the facilities responsible for hydroelectricity production are aging and have outlived their usefulness,” said Kuster. “I’m thrilled that these resources made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and inspired by my legislation are heading to our state to rehabilitate, retrofit, or remove dams and hydropower facilities. With these investments, New Hampshire—which is home to more than 4,000 dams—can continue to lead the country in clean energy production and environmental stewardship.”

"Today’s investment by the U.S. Department of Energy would not have happened without the dogged leadership of Rep. Kuster. It serves as yet another legacy in her remarkable record of programmatic problem-solving. As DOE Secretary Granholm expressed just today at a briefing announcing this new round of funding, 'Sometimes the old ways are still the best. As the oldest form of renewable energy, hydropower has reliably kept America running for the last 150 years.' I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment, as well as water power's amazing possibilities for future innovation in New Hampshire and across America. However, we must upgrade our facilities in order to achieve hydro's full potential and ensure this vital energy source continues to balance and bolster clean energy grids. NHA will keep working with Rep. Kuster and all our congressional champions to achieve this," said Malcolm Woolf, President and CEO of the National Hydropower Association.

“On behalf of the Granite State Hydropower Association, I would like to thank Congresswoman Kuster for her unwavering support for New Hampshire’s small-scale hydropower industry and her strong leadership in securing nearly $5 million in funding to help upgrade the state’s hydropower infrastructure. These renewable energy facilities produce an emissions-free, reliable, and locally distributed source of electricity while providing important economic, recreational, and environmental benefits to New Hampshire. This funding will improve dam safety, support fish passage, strengthen grid resilience, and support jobs and tax revenues statewide,” said Bob King, President of the Granite State Hydropower Association.   

The United States is home to more than 90,000 dams, including 6,000 high-hazard dams that would threaten the public and wildlife should they fail. Hydropower is an essential renewable energy source, responsible for 6% of electricity production in the United States and more than 90% of the nation’s current electricity storage capacity.

The Section 247 funding for the selected projects will strengthen grid resilience at hydropower dams, improve dam safety, and facilitate environmental and recreational improvements to hydropower facilities. The chosen recipients in New Hampshire include: 

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