U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and John Curtis (R-Utah), recently introduced the Basin Fund Preservation Act.
Citing protection of an endangered species, a federal decision was made last year to restrict hydropower generation at the Glen Canyon Dam. This led to higher energy costs for millions of people across Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Nebraska, a March 7 news release related to the bill noted.
This bill “ensures that these communities won't be unfairly impacted by rising energy costs by requiring federal agencies to sign an agreement that both sustains sufficient hydropower generation and supports conservation efforts under the Endangered Species Act,” the news release said.
The bill is supported by the Utah Municipal Power Agency, Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems, American Public Power Association, and the Colorado River Energy Distributors Association.
The bill ensures that federal agencies and stakeholders work together to:
- Mitigate the loss of hydropower generation.
- Protect the Colorado River Basin’s resources and ecosystems.
- Balance energy production with species conservation.
The Senate passed an earlier version of this bill by unanimous consent in December 2024.
“UMPA, which represents the Utah cities of Provo, Spanish Fork, Salem, Nephi, Manti and Levan, is very supportive of the Basin Fund Preservation Act,” said Utah Municipal Power Agency President and CEO Layne Burningham. “Senator Lee’s bill is a crucial step in ensuring affordable, reliable hydropower for millions across the West. By protecting the Basin Fund from being diverted for unrelated purposes, the bill safeguards the financial foundation that keeps hydropower costs low and infrastructure well-maintained. This is especially critical for municipal utilities that depend on stable, low-cost electricity. Preserving this fund helps sustain a clean, renewable energy source while supporting economic growth and energy security throughout the region.”
“Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) supports the Basin Fund Preservation Act and sincerely thanks Senator Lee for his leadership on this important issue,” said UAMPS Managing Director of Government Affairs Mike Squires. “The Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) provides contract power to 228,253 end use customers served by UAMPS members. The additional non-hydropower flows anticipated by the Final SEIS Record of Decision would harm ratepayers and the Basin Fund. Senator Lee’s legislation is important to ensure that the Basin Fund remain solvent and that CRSP continue to provide affordable dispatchable and carbon-free power.”
“The Basin Fund Preservation Act will ensure that not-for-profit electric utility customers have a seat at the table in the establishment of an action plan to address the impacts of Reclamation’s decision to bypass hydropower generators. The American Public Power Association applauds Senator Lee for recognizing that increased costs to customers and the impact to grid reliability must be carefully considered in the action plan,” said American Public Power Association Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Communications and General Counsel Desmarie Waterhouse.
In a March 5 letter to Lee and Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Waterhouse outlined why APPA supports the legislation.
The Basin Fund Preservation Act is the Senate companion to H.R. 1001 introduced by Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY).
Both bills provide for a memorandum of understanding to address the impacts of a certain record of decision on the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund.
