Request for Information ‘listening session’ will examine two new hydropower incentives programs

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Water Power Technologies Office will host a “listening session” on Aug. 9, 2022, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET, regarding a Request for Information (RFI) which will inform two new hydropower incentives programs: Section 243: Hydroelectric Efficiency Improvement Incentives Program and Section 247: Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives Program. The informal webinar is a chance for interested parties to share general feedback regarding the content of the RFI.

On Nov. 15, 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as BIL), which provides funding to ensure the United States advances and deploys new technologies while keeping existing clean energy sources online. The BIL provides nearly $630 million to DOE for the incentives programs to enable existing facilities:

• Section 243: Hydroelectric Efficiency Improvement Incentives Program

Through this program, owners or operators of existing hydroelectric facilities may apply for funding to make capital improvements that can enhance their efficiency by at least 3%. BIL authorized DOE to provide $75 million in incentive payments.

• Section 247: Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives Program

The BIL directed $553.6 million to DOE for this new program, which will provide incentive payments to support and enhance existing hydropower facilities through capital improvements related to three main areas: grid resiliency, dam safety, and environmental conditions.

Click to read the complete RFI.