Inbrief

Obama backing… Legislation designed to expand hydropower production in the United States by improving and streamlining the licensing process for small hydropower projects is now law. The Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act and the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act were signed into law by President Obama. Previously, the Senate unanimously passed the legislation just before it adjourned for August; the House passed each bill with nearly unanimous support earlier in the year.

“President Obama’s signature on hydropower legislation is terrific news for expanding renewable energy and creating jobs across the country,” said Kevin Frank, president and ceo of Voith Hydro. “There’s no better indication that hydropower is at the center of the national policy debate than the widespread and bipartisan support these bills received in both the House and Senate.”

In 2012, Kevin Frank was named a “Champion of Change” by the White House for his work to promote clean and renewable energy. Frank joined top White House officials for a discussion about the country’s clean energy future, and also penned a blog post on the White House website about his and Voith’s work to promote American hydropower.