Bill · H.R. 2160· House(119-HR-2160)
Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act
- Introduced
- 3/14/2025
- Last activity
- 3/14/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Sponsored by
- Adrian Smith
- Cosponsors
- - 10 - 8
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It proposes a new tax credit to support upgrades at existing hydroelectric dams. These upgrades are intended to increase clean energy production and improve the reliability of the United States electric grid. Additionally, the bill seeks to enhance the health of rivers and associated wildlife habitats. The credit applies to specific hydropower improvement property placed in service before certain deadlines.
Yes· 3 of 16
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?+7
The 30 percent tax credit provides a strong incentive for investing in hydroelectric energy.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+6
The bill specifically targets improving fish passage, water quality, and river habitat maintenance.
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?+5
The bill encourages renewable energy production through hydroelectric upgrades, which can reduce carbon emissions.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Support for Clean Energy and Grid Reliability: The bill provides a tax credit equal to 30 percent of the basis of hydropower improvement property to increase clean energy production and improve the resiliency and reliability of the electric grid (Section 2(a), Section 2(c)).
-
Environmental and Habitat Benefits: The credit covers property that adds or improves fish passage, maintains or improves water quality, or promotes downstream sediment transport and habitat maintenance (Section 2(c)(1)(A-C)).
-
Improved Public Access: The bill supports property that improves the public uses of, and access to, public waterways impacted by a qualified dam (Section 2(c)(1)(E)).
-
Safety and Infrastructure Upgrades: Funds can be used to upgrade, repair, or reconstruct qualified dams to meet Federal dam safety and security standards (Section 2(c)(1)(D)).
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Removal of Obstructions: The credit can be used for the removal of obsolete river obstructions (Section 2(c)(1)(F)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Requirement for Official Approval: To qualify for the credit, taxpayers must receive written approval for their property from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or State or local officials prior to January 1, 2032 (Section 2(c)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+7Improves Environmental Protections+6Reduces Carbon Emissions+5Improves Public Land Management+4Improves Rural Development+3Reduces Fossil Fuel Production+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Business Owners+3Good For Union Workers+2Good For Farmers+1Good For Low Income Households+1Good For Middle Class Households+1Good For Native Americans+1
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+2Improves Economic Growth+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+1
- 4/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/7/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/11/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/31/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/6/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/2/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/27/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/14/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Suzan DelBeneDemocrat · Washington
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Mike FloodRepublican · Nebraska
Marie PerezDemocrat · Washington
Maggie GoodlanderDemocrat · New Hampshire
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Nicholas LangworthyRepublican · New York
Tracey MannRepublican · Kansas
Carol MillerRepublican · West Virginia
Barry MooreRepublican · Alabama
Chris PappasDemocrat · New Hampshire
Kim SchrierDemocrat · Washington
Derek SchmidtRepublican · Kansas
Paul TonkoDemocrat · New York
Claudia TenneyRepublican · New York
Lori TrahanDemocrat · Massachusetts
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia