House Republican Press Release

June 4, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Mike Alberts Hails Passage of Hydropower Initiative

Lauds Legislature for Promoting Clean Power from Waterways

State Rep. Mike Alberts, R-50, Brooklyn, Eastford, Hampton, Pomfret, Woodstock, said the state legislature has taken a giant step forward in encouraging the use of hydroelectric power from northeastern Connecticut’s rivers and streams.

Rep. Alberts praised the leaders and members of the state House and Senate for passing the green building initiative as part of a 126-page energy bill, HB 7432. The bill includes a provision to work with towns and local organizations to generate power from water.

Rep. Alberts said, “New England has made use of rivers and streams to create power for 200 years. This is a clean, relatively low-cost source of power that can be harnessed to run homes, schools and other facilities. We should continue to take advantage of this renewable power source and use it efficiently for the benefit of northeastern Connecticut.”

The new law, if signed by the governor, will allow the state Department of Environmental Protection to enter lease agreements with private entities, in consultation with affected towns and watershed organizations, to allow the private entities to generate hydroelectricity. The project must meet the certification standards of the Low Impact Hydropower Institute.

Rep. Alberts has been a strong supporter of clean hydroelectric power and pushed for its inclusion in the energy bill.

Rep. Mike Alberts represents the 50^th Assembly District of Brooklyn, Eastford, Hampton, Pomfret and Woodstock in the state House of Representatives.