***POSSIBLE SCPP APPLICATION AVAILABILITY January 9, 2025***
POTENTIAL SYSTEM CONSERVATION PILOT PROGRAM IN 2025
From 2015-2018 and in 2023 and 2024, the Upper Division States of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, through the Upper Colorado River Commission (UCRC), conducted separate iterations of the Upper Basin System Conservation Pilot Program (SCPP) – a pilot program designed to explore potential solutions to address diminished water supplies due to long-term drought in the Upper Colorado River Basin. SCPP is temporary, voluntary, and compensated, and does not require target conservation volumes. The Upper Division States and the UCRC operated the program in partnership with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to test and implement on-the-ground water conservation opportunities to manage drought conditions in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
BACKGROUND ON A POSSIBLE SCPP IN 2025
Legislation has been introduced in Congress to reauthorize SCPP for 2025 and 2026. If the legislation is enacted, the UCRC Commissioners will consider conducting SCPP in 2025 with the focus on:
- Projects that can help inform remaining questions regarding the feasibility of potential future conservation programs,
- Refining accounting processes for conservation activities,
- Projects that support water conservation innovation and local drought resiliency, or
- Any other priorities approved by the UCRC consistent with the SCPP authorizing legislation.
If Congress reauthorizes SCPP for 2025, the UCRC will hold an informational webinar on January 10, 2025, with participation by staff from the UCRC, Reclamation, the Upper Division States, and the UCRC consultant who would support the 2025 effort. Details regarding the 2025 program focus, application process, timeline, schedule for follow-up meetings, and the submittal and review process will be provided during the webinar.
POSSIBLE DEADLINES
If the program is reauthorized, and the UCRC Commissioners direct moving forward with SCPP in 2025, the following timeline is currently anticipated:
- Applications would be available on January 9, 2025, on the UCRC’s website,
- Applications would be due no later than March 17, 2025,
- Final awards would be announced on March 31, 2025, and
- System conservation implementation agreements would be executed by April 11, 2025.
DISCLAIMER
In addition to Congressional reauthorization of SCPP, implementation of the program in 2025 is contingent upon the timely release of funding for the program by Reclamation and formal authorization from the UCRC to conduct the program. The Upper Division States and the UCRC cannot implement SCPP 2025 until these requirements are satisfied.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information on prior SCPP efforts, please click here.