Reso 2000-634RESOLUTION NO. 2000-634
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COSTA
MESA SANITARY DISTRICT IN SUPPORT OF HYDROELECTRIC
LICENSING IMPROVEMENT
Hydroelectric power (or hydropower) is a clean, dependable, efficient energy
source that is vital to California's economic, environmental and energy policy
objectives. Yet, hydropower is also a resource at risk due to the overwhelming
regulatory burdens and costs associated with the federal hydropower re- licensing
process.
A typical hydro license application can take from eight to ten years to weave it's
way through the re- licensing process -some have taken more than twenty years.
According to a recent U.S. Department of Energy report, hydropower regulatory
actions since 1980 have cost the country more than $7 billion in license processing,
mitigation and other costs. This report also found that two thirds of all hydro
projects re- licensed since 1986 lost generating capacity as a result of the re- licensing
process.
If current trends continue, our state and the nation could lose a number of
hydropower projects and, with them, enormous clean energy benefits. Moreover,
California consumers could face increased energy replacement costs.
WHEREAS, in the next 15 years, 45% of California's non - federal hydropower
must be re- licensed; and
WHEREAS, hydropower is one of the cheapest and most efficient energy
sources for California consumers; and
WHEREAS, absent hydropower, the nation would emit another 1,000,000
tons of nitrogen oxide, causing ozone, 1.78 million tons of sulfur dioxide (acid rain)
and 340 million tons of carbon dioxide every year; and
WHEREAS, hydro projects provide enormous opportunities for camping,
hiking, fishing, swimming, picnicking, boating, whitewater rafting, and whitewater
skiing, as well as flood control, irrigation, and numerous other benefits; and
WHEREAS, water from rivers is a purely domestic resource that is free from
disruptions by foreign suppliers or transportation bottlenecks; and the "fuel" is
renewed each time it rains or snows; and
WHEREAS, a multitude of statutes, regulations, agency policies and court
decisions has made the hydroelectric re- licensing process time- consuming, arbitrary
and costly, yielding an average 8% loss in hydropower generation and leading some
hydro project owners and operators to contemplate abandonment of their projects:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Costa Mesa Sanitary
District calls on the U.S. Congress to improve the hydropower licensing process.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Costa Mesa Sanitary District urges all
members of the California Congressional delegation to support hydropower licensing
improvements to protect the environment while ensuring a viable hydroelectric
industry.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Costa Mesa Sanitary District agrees to
add its name to the roster of members of WaterPower: The Clean Energy Coalition, a
national network of organizations who recognize the need to safeguard hydropower
as a clean energy resource by improving the federal hydropower re- licensing process.
PASSED and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors held
on the 13th day of April 2000.
ecr n , Board -of directors
��
Co 'a Mesa i nitarv' District
UN
President, Board of Di
Costa Mesa Sanitary Di
STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
I, Joan Revak, Clerk of the Costa Mesa Sanitary District, hereby certify that the
above and foregoing Resolution No. 2000 -634, was duly and regularly passed and
adopted by said Board of Directors at a regular meeting thereof held on the 13th day
of April 2000.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
of the Costa Mesa Sanitary District, this 13th day of April 2000.
Clerk Vfie Costa Mesa �a_ iitary District