{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://schweikert.house.gov/2024/12/17/schweikert-legislation-expanding-affordable-pumped-storage-hydropower-in-arizona-heads-to-presidents-desk/", "Schweikert Legislation\u00a0Expanding Affordable Pumped Storage Hydropower in Arizona Heads to President\u2019s Desk", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "David Schweikert", "S001183", "schweikert.house.gov", "schweikert", "https://schweikert.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Representative David Schweikert (AZ-01) celebrated Senate passage of his bipartisan legislation. The bill enables the exploration of constructing additional pumped storage hydropower facilities in the Salt River reservoir system to keep energy costs low for Arizonans, help stabilize the state\u2019s electric grid during peak demand and boost the supply of affordable and reliable energy. Co-sponsor Rep. Greg Stanton (AZ-04) was an important champion for furthering the implementation of innovative development for Arizona\u2019s critical resources. U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) introduced companion legislation in the Senate in March, S.739, which now heads to the President\u2019s desk where it awaits his signature.\n\nAs a refresher, pumped storage hydroelectricity allows water to be pumped from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir when energy demand is low. When energy demand is high and power is needed on the grid, the upper reservoir is released downhill back into the lower reservoir and run through hydropower turbines which can generate up to 10-12 hours of reliable energy.\n\n\u201cOnce again, Arizona has proven to lead the charge to deliver innovation and make life more efficient for Arizonans at a time when our state\u2019s economy and population continue to explode,\u201d said Rep. Schweikert. \u201cThe near unanimous support for this legislation proves that America is ready to embrace long-term energy storage technologies to expand the supply of affordable and reliable energy for our communities. I\u2019m incredibly thankful for my friend and colleague, Rep. Stanton, who\u2019s been crucial to this process of embracing innovation, and I\u2019m looking forward to seeing this technology benefit Arizona.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m thrilled to see the Senate pass our bipartisan bill to help facilitate the innovative development of additional pumped-storage hydropower along the Salt River. Not only do pumped storage projects provide greater flexibility and improve reliability in our energy grid, but they also cut utility costs for Arizona families and businesses,\u201d said Rep. Stanton. \u201cThis critical legislation passed the House with an overwhelming majority last year, and today it\u2019s on its way to becoming law. I greatly appreciate Congressman Schweikert and Senators Kelly and Sinema for their partnership.\u201d\n\n\u201cExpanding pumped-storage hydropower in Arizona will strengthen our energy grid and lower energy costs for families,\u201d said Senator Kelly. \u201cThis is about using technology to make our energy more reliable and affordable. After months of work together as a bipartisan delegation, I\u2019m proud to see this legislation on its way to becoming law.\u201d\n\nRep. Schweikert speaks in support of his affordable pumped storage bill last year. Click here to watch his remarks.\n\nAdditional Information:\n\nThe House Natural Resources Committee passed the bipartisan pumped storage hydropower legislation by unanimous consent on July 19.\n\nRep. Schweikert spoke in support of his legislation on the House Floor prior to passage. You can watch video from his testimony here.\n\nHouse legislation supported by Salt River Project GM & CEO Jim Pratt.\n\nThe full bill text is available here.\n\n###\n\nCongressman David Schweikert serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and is the current Chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee. He is also the Vice Chairman on the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, Chairman the Congressional Valley Fever Task Force, and is the Republican Co-Chair of the Blockchain Caucus, Telehealth Caucus, Singapore Caucus, and the Caucus on Access to Capital and Credit.\n\nBack to News", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://schweikert.house.gov/2024/12/17/schweikert-legislation-expanding-affordable-pumped-storage-hydropower-in-arizona-heads-to-presidents-desk/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9167958050966263, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}