The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans hosted hearing on hydropower opportunities and developments

WASHINGTON, DC – Voith Hydro Inc.’s President and CEO Bob Gallo delivered testimony on Wednesday, May 3rd before The House Natural Resource’s Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans. He participated in a hearing titled “The Challenges of Keeping Hydropower Affordable and Opportunities for New Development.” Mr. Gallo spoke on the need for hydropower licensing reform and modernization, and why hydropower is an important – and underutilized – source of energy and job creation.

Joining Mr. Gallo for the hearing were Randy Howard, General Manager of the Northern California Power Agency; Herbie Johnson, Southern Company Generation’s Hydro General Manager and President of the National Hydropower Association; George Lapointe, Owner of George Lapointe Consulting; David Montagne, EVP and General Manager of Sabine River Authority of Texas; and Raymond Pierre III, Vice Chairman of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians.

From Mr. Gallo’s testimony:

“We hope the Committee will continue its strong work to streamline the licensing process, and look for ways to boost production on federally-owned dams. Expanding hydropower helps companies like Voith Hydro and those in the 2,500-company strong national hydropower supply chain that accounts for $17 billion in economic output. More importantly, it also helps the American worker.

“Voith Hydro is a perfect example. Though our workforce in the U.S. is already over 600 strong, our plant in York could accommodate a significant increase in work volume. And the good-paying jobs that would be created are highly-skilled engineering and union manufacturing jobs that are the backbone of America.

“I want to leave you with a closing thought. Though I am aware this Committee will likely not be front and center in the infrastructure debate, hydropower should absolutely be included in any infrastructure package considered by this body. Streamlining a cumbersome licensing process is vital, but we must make sure there are plenty of projects in the pipeline – for both new development and modernization of existing capacity.”

Voith Hydro’s U.S. operations are based in York, Pennsylvania, and Voith is a worldwide leader in hydropower equipment and services and has supplied the turbines, generators, and automation equipment at many private and public facilities across the United States, including at Bureau of Reclamation facilities under the jurisdiction of the House Natural Resources Committee.

Mr. Gallo is also a board member of the National Hydropower Association (NHA), which is hosting its annual “Waterpower Week in Washington” conference from Monday-Wednesday. Industry leaders and supporters are in the nation’s capital to discuss the future of hydropower. Mr. Gallo will introduce Congressman Scott Perry of Pennsylvania’s 4th Congressional district. Congressman Perry keynoted a conference luncheon on Tuesday.

“Hydropower’s potential for energy generation and job creation is unsurpassed, and I welcome the opportunity to share hydropower and Voith’s story with the House Natural Resources Committee,” said Gallo. “There are some very clear and concrete steps Congress and the Administration can take to streamline our licensing process to spur new hydropower development across the country. I encourage the committee to build on the groundwork it has already laid to boost hydropower production, and I look forward to working with members in the coming months as they continue to explore hydropower legislation.”

You can view Mr. Gallo’s written testimony and watch the hearing via web video here: http://naturalresources.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=401856

About Voith

For 150 years, Voith’s technologies have been inspiring customers, business partners and employees worldwide. Founded in 1867, Voith today has around 19,000 employees, sales of $4.7 billion and locations in more than 60 countries worldwide and is thus one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe. Being a technology leader, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive.