Press Releases

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) re-introduced the Supporting Home Owner Rights Enforcement (SHORE) Act.

Under the Federal Power Act, license applicants can authorize certain uses of the project shoreline not related to power production. This bill amends the Federal Power Act to direct the Federal Regulatory Commission (FERC) to consider the infringement of home owner’s rights when issuing licenses for projects such as dams, conduits, and reservoirs.  The bill also requires the project licensee to consider private landownership as a means to encourage and facilitate private investment, increased tourism, and recreational use.

Congressman Griffith said, “I am introducing this bill to ensure the rights of private landowners along the shore are among the considerations that FERC must take into account for actions affecting FERC licensed hydro-projects.  FERC regulations can place unreasonable and unnecessary costs and burdens on residents.  This bill provides protection to the home owners affected by licenses issued by FERC, including those on Claytor Lake in the 9^th District and Smith Mountain Lake.”

Former Congressman Robert Hurt (R-VA) introduced the bill last Congress and Congressman Griffith was an original cosponsor.  In December 2015, Griffith led the effort to include the language from the SHORE Act in H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, which passed the House.  The Energy and Commerce Committee, on which Congressman Griffith sits, has jurisdiction over the bill.

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