Maine lawmakers hear divided testimony on bill to weigh hydropowerbenefits in DEP decisions

Sen. Brad Farrin, sponsor of LD 12 10, told the Environment and Natural Resources Committee the bill would make sure state regulators "take into account the full benefits of hydropower, not just the environmental impact, but also its role in our clean energy goals, decarbonization efforts and baseline power loads needs." Farrin, who represents Senate District 3, introduced the bill as an effort to preserve and expand hydropower generation in Maine.

The measure would instruct the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to weigh the energy, economic and jobs benefits of hydroelectric facilities alongside environmental and aquatic impacts when it evaluates projects and issues water-quality certifications under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. Proponents said the change is needed to avoid losing baseload renewable generation as relicensing and permitting move forward.

Industry and local officials gave testimony that linked potential dam removal or refusal to relicense dams with direct impacts on businesses and communities. Jim…