Fish and energy needs clash in Midwest
A federal project would change the flow of water from two Army Corps of Engineers dams that form Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes along the Arkansas-Missouri border. The intent is to improve the habitat for trout below the dams.
But the change also would reduce the capacity to produce hydropower at a plant owned by The Empire District Electric Co. on Lake Taneycomo near Branson.
The federal Southwestern Power Administration proposed in January to reimburse Empire $41 million for the lost energy-production capacity. It revised that last month to $22 million. Missouri utility regulators say that would shortchange Empire's customers in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma.
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U.S. Senate Looks to Modernize Renewable Energy on Public Land
WASHINGTON - The Senate unveiled its version of a bill the House introduced in July to help the U.S. realize the extraordinary renewable energy potential of our shared public lands.
Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) and a bipartisan coalition of western Senators introduced a Senate version of draft legislation that will help the Department of the Interior tap the renewable energy potential of our shared public lands. The western Senators represent Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, and Idaho.
The Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2019 (PLREDA) facilitates siting of solar, wind, and geothermal energy projects on public lands, boosts funding for…
