Mike Lee (R-UT)
A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a feasibility study on a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam, and for other purposes.
A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 653.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a feasibility study to analyze alternatives, including infrastructure upgrades, to address downstream invasive species at Glen Canyon Dam. The study must include hydrological modeling and analyze alternatives such as a thermal curtain or a selective water withdrawal system. This study is meant to optimize hydropower generation while preventing the entrainment of invasive species. The Secretary must complete the feasibility study within 18 months of the bill's enactment and then submit a summarized feasibility report to specific congressional committees. The authority provided by this section expires five years after the date of enactment.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +2
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The system aims to prevent the entrainment of invasive species in the water system.
- Scored +2
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
The bill focuses on optimizing existing hydropower generation capacity.
- Scored +1
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The study involves managing water release and ecological impacts at Glen Canyon Dam.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 1(a): The Secretary of the Interior is required to consult with various entities, including the Secretary of Energy, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the United States Geological Survey, Colorado River Basin States, and Colorado River Storage Project power contractors, to carry out the feasibility study. This ensures broad collaboration among experts and affected regional stakeholders.
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Section 1(d)(4): The bill requires an analysis of the effects of the recommended alternative on hydropower production and rates, developed in consultation with the Western Area Power Administration. This ensures that potential impacts on power production and consumer utility rates are explicitly evaluated.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 1(h): The authority provided by the section expires on the date that is five years after the date of enactment, which places a strict timeline on addressing these complex water and environmental issues.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The system aims to prevent the entrainment of invasive species in the water system. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill focuses on optimizing existing hydropower generation capacity. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The study involves managing water release and ecological impacts at Glen Canyon Dam.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Optimizing hydropower generation can support regional energy stability and economic output. Is this likely to create jobs? — The study could lead to future construction and infrastructure development projects.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds hydrological modeling and a feasibility study.
- 9/17/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 653.
- 6/10/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 3/17/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
- 2/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/29/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John CurtisRepublican · Utah