The Bureau of Reclamation today announced the release of approximately $52 million in previously inaccessible Post-Retirement Benefits (PRB) funds that will support critical modernization and reliability projects at Hoover Dam.
In response, Governor Joe Lombardo issued the following statement:
“Hoover Dam is one of the most important energy and water infrastructure assets in the American West, and these funds will help ensure it continues delivering reliable, affordable power for Nevada and the Southwest for years to come. I appreciate Secretary Burgum, the Department of the Interior, and the Bureau of Reclamation for working with Nevada to unlock these stranded funds so critical modernization projects can finally move forward. As drought conditions and water uncertainty continue to challenge the Colorado River Basin, investing in the long-term reliability and resilience of Hoover Dam is more important than ever.”
The funds were collected as a result of an administrative error rather than a legal requirement and have remained inaccessible for years. Governor Lombardo has urged the Department of the Interior to release the funds so they could be used for modernization efforts that would help maintain hydropower generation at lower Lake Mead elevations and strengthen long-term grid reliability across the Southwest.
