The MOU and resulting action plan will detail overarching topics to increase sustainable hydropower generation and flexibility.
Water Power Technologies Office
June 4, 2021
minute read time
Federal Hydropower MOU Update
On November 10, 2021, the federal interagency coordination team provided status updates on all projects outlined by the Action Plan for the 2020 Hydropower MOU. See the slides from the presentation.
The U.S. Department of Energy, Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation, and the Department of the Army through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Agencies) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU has enhanced collaboration between agencies, and leveraged resources to meet the America's need for reliable and affordable hydropower. This MOU builds on previous work between the Agencies to strengthen long-term coordination, prioritize similar goals, and align ongoing and future energy development efforts.
The MOU and resulting action plan will detail overarching topics to increase dependable hydropower generation and flexibility. They also identify a specific set of activities that the Agencies will collectively undertake. These commitments were designed to represent a new approach to hydropower development that result in lasting American energy dominance.
An Action Plan has been developed that provides the framework for collaborations that will address emerging hydropower issues. The action plan and enhances technology research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) in five topic areas:
- Asset Management
- Value of Hydropower
- Workforce
- Water Supply Reliability
- Environmental Outcomes
Under each of these five topic areas, the Agencies, in collaboration with the Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs), proposed projects based on industry needs. These projects will inform deliverables and outline the resources contributed by each agency and the PMAs, which can be found in the Action Plan document.
Review the full Memorandum of Understanding for Federal Hydropower 2020 for more details.
View the MOU Action Plan for further information and the full list of Frequently Asked Questions.
For more information on past MOUs, visit the past hydropower MOUs web page.