Dingell, Moolenaar Introduce National Dam and Hydropower Safety LegislationDingell, Moolenaar Introduce National Dam and Hydropower Safety Legislation

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and John Moolenaar (R-MI-04) introduced bipartisan legislation to reform and improve dam and hydropower safety operations. Dingell and Moolenaar originally pushed for legislative action after the breach of the Edenville Dam and Sanford Dam failures in Michigan caused extensive damage throughout the region’s downstream communities, destroying homes, businesses, roads, and bridges. The lawmakers’ legislation, the National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act, would enhance dam and hydropower safety operation requirements nationwide and aims to modernize existing infrastructure through the development of new best practices and improved communications between the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and states. “Michigan experienced a catastrophic and avoidable infrastructure collapse with the breach of the Edenville and Sanford dams, causing extensive damage to the downstream communities. It drowned homes, businesses, and entire communities,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “This disaster was avoidable, and yet aging dam infrastructure across the state continues to pose a serious threat to safety, so it is critical Congress act to prevent another tragedy like this.” “This bipartisan legislation addresses failures in existing law and will help ensure compliance with the safety regulations that are needed to protect the American people,” said Congressman Moolenaar. “We know in Michigan that the failures of federal bureaucrats, state officials, and a negligent dam owner led to devastating consequences, and we must update the laws to prevent that from happening again." The National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act would: Mandate dam and project works meet the FERC’s dam safety requirements and require the licensee to manage, operate, and maintain the dam and project works consistent with dam safety requirements. Require FERC to issue a new license only if the Commission determines the dam and other project works meet the Commission’s dam safety requirements and that the operating conditions of the license are consistent with those requirements. Require FERC to establish procedures for evaluating the financial health of prospective hydropower licensees. Require FERC to convene a technical conference with state representatives to examine best practices for dam safety. In May 2020, the Edenville Dam and Sanford Dam both failed and flooded Midland area communities after heavy rains. Dam operator Boyce Hydro had a long history of dam safety and compliance problems that likely resulted in the failure. In response, Congressmembers Dingell and Fred Upton sent letters to FERC regarding its oversight . They also pressed the state of Michigan for facts on the dam breach, how the state evaluated the dam in the time since, and additional information on the regulatory and legal actions the state took following the revocation of the license.