Whereas various forms of hydropower development have existed since as far back as A.D. 21 when the Greeks and Egyptians used wheels and screws to create flour and manage irrigation; Whereas, in the United States, hydropower serves as one of the earliest and most substantial sources of renewable energy with approximately 2,300 hydroelectric producing dams; Whereas maintaining, utilizing, and developing all available domestic sources of energy, including hydropower, can ensure the United States has a stable, secure, and reliable energy supply which will enhance national security by reducing dependence on foreign energy sources; Whereas both rural and urban communities across the United States rely on hydropower as a vital everyday energy source to heat homes, operate appliances, and access clean air and water, particularly in the West; Whereas hydropower is dependable, flexible, and capable of restarting the electric system after major outages resulting from extreme weather, natural disasters, and cyberattacks; Whereas a robust hydropower source plays an essential role in preserving a reliable and resilient United States power grid; Whereas, outside of electricity generation, hydropower also helps with water supply, irrigation support for food production activities, flood control, and transportation; Whereas hydropower also provides immense recreation and tourism benefits for individuals; Whereas, according to the United States Energy Information Administration, as of 2022, the top 5 States which produce the most hydroelectric energy are, in descending order, Washington, Oregon, New York, California, and Montana; Whereas, in 2022, approximately 80,000,000 kilowatts of hydroelectricity net summer generational capacity were generated in the United States; Whereas, according to the Department of Energy, 28.7 percent of overall United States renewable electricity generation and 6.2 percent of total United States electricity generation comes from hydropower