Hydro industry hopes to make permitting splash

A new bipartisan Senate bill has gained backing from industry, tribal and environmental groups — even the White House. As lawmakers seek common ground on permitting overhaul, the hydropower industry is hoping to hitch a ride on any potential legislative package. Advocates for one of the nation's largest clean energy sources believe momentum for the idea is only growing, thanks in part to a new bipartisan proposal from Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the "Community and Hydropower Improvement Act," S. 1521.