The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation have issued a request for information (RFI) on new, advanced hydropower technologies that are either worthy of research and development investment or are ready for demonstration and testing, the agencies reported.

Federal officials investigating a 2007 fire that killed five workers at the Cabin Creek hydroelectric plant in Colorado concluded the accident was caused by several safety failures, according to a report from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board.

Brazil's mines and energy ministry has added two small hydropower plants and a thermal project to the government's special infrastructure development incentives program known as Reidi, wire services reported.

Zambia has signed an agreement with two Chinese companies to build the 600-MW Kafue Gorge Lower hydropower plant, government officials in Zambia said.

The Asian Development Bank is extending a $122 million grant to expand and modernize Tajikistan's electricity transmission system, which will help Tajikistan boost energy trading with neighboring countries to meet winter shortages, ADB reported.

The European Investment Bank confirmed it has stopped funding environmental and social impact studies for the Gibe III hydroelectric power project in Ethiopia, as the Ethiopian government has found alternative sources of finance.

Provincial utility BC Hydro has selected the final project to be awarded an electricity purchase agreement under the Clean Power Call, bringing the call to a close after acquiring close to 3,300 gigawatt hours per year of clean energy, BC Hydro reported.

Facing opposition from the entire Republican Senate Delegation, Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) has revealed plans to put comprehensive energy legislation, including cap and trade and renewable portfolio standard provisions, on hold, choosing instead to introduce a scaled back version tackling less controversial issues.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has unveiled its Small/Low Impact Hydropower Program Internet site, explaining how developers can quickly and efficiently win FERC approval to build and operate small hydro projects.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the state of Colorado have signed a memorandum of understanding under which Colorado is to develop a pilot program to advance FERC hydropower licensing exemptions for small hydro projects in the state.

Wave energy developer Ocean Power Technologies Inc. has filed a settlement agreement with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that outlines proposed terms for licensing the 1.5-MW Reedsport OPT Wave Park as the first commercial-scale wave power project in the United States.