This year, Washington State and much of the western United States faced severe drought conditions, water shortages, and rationing, which have had serious impacts on our agriculture, energy, and manufacturing sectors, as well as the many families and small businesses that rely on an adequate and stable supply of water. Many residents are confronting the worst drought they’ve seen in many years, and a growing number of communities across the West have been acutely impacted by these arid conditions. While this crisis has been caused by the drought, burdensome environmental laws, as well as misguided and outdated regulatory restrictions, have exacerbated the situation. As a third-generation farmer, I understand from personal experience that access to water is vital to the livelihoods and economic prosperity of Washingtonians, which is why one of my first actions in Congress was to introduce legislation aimed at developing new surface water storage projects in the west.
More on Water & Hydropower
Newhouse Tours Kennewick Irrigation District, Highlights Upcoming Title Transfer
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) toured Kennewick Irrigation District’s (KID) facilities and spoke with the KID Board of Directors regarding water supplies in the Lower Yakima River Basin and the pending title transfer from the Bureau of Reclamation. He also toured the future reservoir site and canal lining project.
House Committee Unanimously Passes Newhouse Bill to Strengthen Clean Energy in Pacific Northwest
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after the House Committee on Natural Resources unanimously approved H.R.
What They Are Saying: Newhouse Speech “Shifts the Tide” in Dam-Breaching Debate
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, May 13, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) participated as a keynote speaker for the Andrus Center for Public Policy’s 2021 Environmental Conference at Boise State University.
The Pacific Northwest Agrees: Keep Your Hands Off Our Dams
There’s been a lot of talk about our dams over the last few weeks, and I want to make it abundantly clear: Any “solution” for our salmon population that includes removing the dams on the Lower Snake River is a nonstarter.
Newhouse Keynotes Environmental Conference to Support Comprehensive Salmon Recovery, Oppose Misguided Dam-Breaching Proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) participated as a keynote speaker for the Andrus Center for Public Policy’s 2021 Environmental Conference at Boise State University.
Newhouse Introduces Bill to Improve Federal Water Infrastructure in Central Washington
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) introduced H.R. 2979 to amend the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) of 2014 to make public water projects eligible for low-interest, longer-term federal loans from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
PNW Lawmakers React to Release of Public Records Detailing Hidden Coordination on Dam-Breaching Proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) issued the following joint statement in response to learning of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) publication detailing in-depth coordination between the offices of Rep.
U.S. Leads in Emissions Reduction, Clean Energy Innovation
The Biden Administration’s approach to energy is the last thing America needs – especially when the United States is already leading the world in emissions reductions.
Newhouse, Cantwell Introduce Bill to Strengthen Hydropower, Increase Clean Energy in Pacific Northwest
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced the Pacific Northwest Pumped Storage Hydropower Development Act of 2021 to improve permitting for pumped storage hydroelectric projects, create jobs in Central Washington, and protect Tribal interests.
Newhouse, McMorris Rodgers Introduce Hydropower Clean Energy Future Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) reintroduced the Hydropower Clean Energy Future Act, a bill to expand clean, renewable, reliable, and affordable hydropower production in the United States and promote innovation of the next generation of hydropower technology.
