Congressman Pat Harrigan Helps Launch Bipartisan Hydropower Caucus

September 16, 2026 Press Release Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408 WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) joined Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) to launch the bipartisan Congressional Hydropower Caucus, a new forum focused on expanding reliable American energy production, strengthening the electric grid, and lowering costs for families and businesses. The Hydropower Caucus will bring Members of Congress together with hydropower and marine energy experts from federal agencies, industry, and stakeholder organizations to address permitting and licensing reform, tax policy, research and development, and deployment of new technologies. The caucus will focus on practical ways to make better use of existing infrastructure, remove barriers to new generation, and bring more American power onto the grid. “America’s electricity needs are growing fast, and meeting that demand is going to require us to produce more power from every reliable resource we have here at home,” said Congressman Harrigan. “Hydropower has been powering American communities for generations, and there is still tremendous potential to build on what already works. This caucus gives us a place to bring the right people together, cut through outdated barriers, and find practical ways to get more power onto the grid. If we want to bring manufacturing home, lead the next generation of technology, and keep energy affordable, America needs an energy system built for growth.” “Hydropower is at the heart of lowering energy costs for hardworking Granite Staters and making America the world’s clean energy superpower. For generations, hydropower has delivered reliable, homegrown energy to communities across New Hampshire and our country. Our bipartisan caucus will bring together the people with the expertise and ideas we need to cut red tape, invest in innovation, and get more affordable American energy online. I’m proud to lead this effort with Congressman Harrigan, and I will keep working across the aisle to lower costs and build an energy future that works for the people we serve,” said Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander. “Hydropower is a reliable, carbon-free energy resource that plays an important role in supporting grid reliability and meeting growing electricity demand. Duke Energy looks forward to working with the Caucus on policies that support the continued operation and modernization of America's hydropower fleet, and I thank Representatives Pat Harrigan and Maggie Goodlander for their leadership in creating this bipartisan forum,” said Kendal Bowman, president of Duke Energy’s utility operations in North Carolina. "NHA applauds Representatives Goodlander and Harrigan for launching the bipartisan Hydropower Caucus. Hydropower is America’s first renewable energy resource, operating in 48 states and providing reliable power to nearly 30 million Americans. Yet too few people understand its benefits and the policy challenges it faces. The Hydropower Caucus can help change that by educating lawmakers and stakeholders about the many ways hydropower supports our communities—not only through affordable, reliable electricity, but also through irrigation, flood control, recreation, and good-paying jobs. We thank Representatives Goodlander and Harrigan for their leadership in advancing this important effort,” said Matthew Allen, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs, National Hydropower Association. Congressman Harrigan has made expanding reliable American energy production and modernizing the infrastructure needed to support it a focus of his work in Congress: Modernizing America’s electric grid: In July, Congressman Harrigan co-led the bipartisan Lowering Energy Costs through Grid Modernization Act , legislation to accelerate upgrades to existing transmission infrastructure, reduce permitting delays, and expand the amount of electricity America’s grid can carry. Unlocking next-generation geothermal: Congressman Harrigan’s bipartisan Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act passed the House in July, advancing Department of Energy research, testing, and commercialization of technologies that could significantly expand America’s supply of reliable, around-the-clock geothermal power. Expanding American nuclear energy: Congressman Harrigan introduced the bipartisan Nuclear Rate Stabilization Act with Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) to change tax rules affecting investment in new nuclear projects and the ability of existing federal tax incentives to translate into near-term savings for consumers. Cutting permitting delays: Congressman Harrigan voted for the RED Tape Act , legislation to eliminate a duplicative layer of federal environmental review for major infrastructure projects while leaving existing federal environmental requirements in place. Building reliable power for national defense: Congressman Harrigan secured a provision in the House-passed FY27 National Defense Authorization Act directing the Department of Defense to deploy a transportable nuclear microreactor in the Indo-Pacific by 2030, aimed at providing reliable power for expeditionary military operations. Issues : Science, Space, and Technology Energy Independence and Security