$32M available for hyropower projects

WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- U.S. hydroelectric plants will get $32 million in stimulus funds for efficiency improvements and modernization, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said Tuesday.

Non-federal hydropower facilities will compete for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for projects designed to support use of turbines and control technologies to increase power generation while protecting the environment, Chu said in a news release.

"There's no one solution to the energy crisis, but hydropower is clearly part of the solution and represents a major opportunity to create more clean energy jobs," Chu said. "Investing in our existing hydro-power infrastructure will strengthen our economy, reduce pollution and help us toward energy independence."

Funds will be awarded to projects that can be developed without significant modifications to dams and with a minimum of regulatory delay, Chu said.