"An often-overlooked renewable energy source is gaining momentum as lawmakers on Capitol Hill struggle to find consensus in an increasingly partisan environment and the Obama administration is looking to decrease reliance on foreign oil.

A trio of hydropower measures is moving rapidly through the Senate, at least two federal agencies are taking a hard look at hydropower potential, and the Obama administration is beefing up its investment in hydropower technologies with the Interior and Energy departments yesterday announcing $26.6 million in funding for hydropower research and development projects."

Katie Howell reports for Greenwire April 6, 2011. [2]