The hearing will give an opportunity for the committee to hear from local leaders and other invited speakers about the value of protecting existing dams and the economic and job creation benefits of expanding hydropower production, Hastings said.

The bill introduced by Hastings, called the Saving Our Dams and New Hydropower Development and Jobs Act, would “help eliminate government roadblocks and frivolous litigation that stifle development,” he said.

It also seeks to prevent federal grants from being used by groups suing the federal government to breach or remove dams or otherwise prevent the generation of hydropower. The prohibition would extend up to a decade after the legal action.

The bill would make clear that hydropower is a renewable energy source, just as wind and solar are considered renewable sources.