Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), are introducing a bicameral bill that could expand America’s clean energy portfolio by researching the potential of floating solar panels. The POWER our Reservoirs (Protect our Waters and Expand Renewables on our Reservoirs) Act would study and pilot floating solar technologies that could grow renewable energy production and reduce water evaporation in America’s federal water reservoirs.
“Floating solar panels on federal water reservoirs have the potential to add more clean, affordable energy to the grid, while simultaneously addressing water shortages by reducing evaporation,” said Senator King. “The POWER our Reservoirs Act takes important steps to study and pilot floating solar systems, which will help identify opportunities to scale this innovative technology. Doing this research now could make a huge, cost-saving difference in the long term. I appreciate Representatives Tonko and Huffman’s partnership on this forward-thinking effort.”
“We must use every tool at our disposal to further our domestic clean energy development and deliver innovative solutions to our pressing climate challenges,” Rep. Tonko said. “Floating solar offers tremendous opportunities to build a more sustainable clean energy future and protect our threatened water systems, including by reducing evaporation and preventing harmful algal blooms. I’ve been proud to spearhead innovative, successful efforts in expanding floating solar both in New York’s Capital Region and beyond. Our legislation will build strongly on those national efforts. I’m proud to be joined by Congressman Huffman and Senator King in pushing forward this legislation that will benefit our communities, our environment, and our economy.”
“The compounding crisis of extreme drought driven by climate change is wreaking havoc throughout the West and challenging us to find innovative water and energy strategies,” said Rep. Huffman. “Our bill to deploy floating solar panels on water reservoirs helps address both sides of this challenge by reducing evaporative water losses while generating clean, affordable renewable electricity.”
First introduced by Reps. Tonko and Huffman last year, the POWER our Reservoirs Act was partially enacted into law in December 2022 — requiring the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study the opportunities to advance clean energy and protect against drought by deploying floating solar panels at Army Corps reservoirs. The bicameral legislation introduced today will build upon that initial study and further promote development into floating solar.
The POWER our Reservoirs Act of 2022 would:
- Require the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to study the feasibility of deploying floating solar panels on their reservoirs and make the results of the studies publicly available.
- Ensure that renewable energy from floating solar panels is considered as part of the USACE’s annual Sustainability Report and Implementation Plan.
- Fund pilot programs at USACE and BOR to build floating solar panels on appropriate reservoirs.
As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator King has advocated for climate solutions that support American communities, unlock a clean energy future, and strengthen national security. He has been one of the Senate’s most vocal advocates for improving energy storage technologies and development and worked to include significant clean energy investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
A fact sheet of the legislation can be found HERE.
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