HYDRO Act of 2024

The HYDRO Act of 2024 requires the Western Area Power Administration to reduce rates for project use and firm electric service customers of specific Bureau of Reclamation hydropower projects (Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects, Boulder Canyon Project, and Parker-Davis Project) when drought conditions predict annual energy production below set thresholds (4.9 million, 3.6 million, and 1.4 million megawatt-hours, respectively). Rate reductions apply monthly until production recovers to or above thresholds, are limited by unobligated project funds, and expire on December 31, 2031. The bill ensures no retroactive rate changes, maintains existing water rights, and uses existing funding without authorizing new appropriations. It directly affects Western U.S. customers of these hydropower projects during drought-related energy shortfalls.