On Monday, May 8th, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing to discuss the hydroelectric provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Andrew Fahlund of American Rivers gave testimony on behalf of the Hydropower Reform Coalition. Representatives from DOI, FERC, and the hydropower industry also testified before the committee. FERC staff also provided Congress with a report on the status of "transitional" projects where the EPAct rules had been applied retroactively.

Reports from the hearing quote Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), chief proponent of the provisions, as saying: "One of the reasons you're before us today talking about the law and how it was implemented is because of the way the old process was handled. Twelve to 13-year processes that cost millions and millions of dollars was what drove this Congress to make changes ... time here has been so badly abused in the past."

A transcript of the hearing (or a transcript of hydropower session only) is available. You can also watch the hearing via an archived webcast, and read a copy of the agencies' responses to questions on the record.