To require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2072
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-02: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 408.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:34Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, H.R. 2072, aims to provide additional time for holders of certain hydropower project licenses to begin construction, preventing the automatic expiration of those licenses due to delays. It targets projects licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) before March 13, 2020, to support the development of hydropower as a renewable energy source.
Key Provisions
- Definition of Covered Projects: Applies to any hydropower project (facilities that generate electricity from flowing water) for which FERC issued a license before March 13, 2020.
- Extension Authorization: FERC must grant an extension request from a licensee (the company or entity holding the license) for up to 6 additional years beyond the standard 8-year period to start construction, provided there is "good cause" (valid reasons like delays in permitting or funding) and after reasonable public notice.
- Structure of Extension: The extra time is divided into up to three 2-year periods, starting immediately after any prior extensions expire under existing law, and ending no more than 6 years later.
- License Reinstatement: For projects where the construction deadline expired between January 1, 2024, and the date this bill becomes law, FERC can reinstate the expired license retroactively to its original expiration date, allowing the new extension to apply from that point.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Under the current Federal Power Act (Section 13), licensees have up to 8 years from license issuance to begin construction, after which the license expires if not started. This bill overrides that limit by mandating FERC to allow up to 6 more years for qualifying projects, introducing flexibility not previously required.
- It adds a reinstatement mechanism for recently expired licenses, which was not available before, effectively reviving lapsed opportunities without needing a full new licensing process.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: FERC will face increased administrative workload to review extension requests, notices, and reinstatements, potentially streamlining hydropower approvals but requiring more resources for oversight.
- On Citizens and Energy Sector: Could accelerate hydropower development, providing more reliable, low-carbon electricity to communities and reducing reliance on fossil fuels; however, it might delay environmental reviews or local consultations if projects proceed without full readiness.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though increased U.S. hydropower capacity could indirectly support global clean energy goals by boosting domestic renewable production.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Hydropower Licensees: Primary beneficiaries, including energy companies and developers who gain extra time to secure financing, permits, or resolve legal issues without losing their licenses.
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC): Directly tasked with implementing extensions and reinstatements, affecting its regulatory timeline and decision-making.
- Environmental and Local Groups: Potentially impacted through changes in project timelines, which could influence water resource management, wildlife habitats, or community land use.
- Energy Consumers and Utilities: Indirectly affected by possible increases in hydropower supply, leading to more stable electricity prices and grid reliability.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Modifies the Federal Power Act to prioritize project viability over strict deadlines, potentially reducing litigation over expired licenses but raising questions about consistency in FERC's authority (e.g., what constitutes "good cause"). No direct constitutional challenges anticipated, as it aligns with Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce and energy.
- Political: Bipartisan support (sponsors from both parties) reflects a push for renewable energy infrastructure amid climate goals, but could spark debate on balancing development speed with environmental protections. It may set a precedent for similar extensions in other energy sectors.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (9)
Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1], Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-02: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 408.
- 2026-02-02: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-477.
- 2026-02-02: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-477.
- 2026-01-21: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.
- 2026-01-21: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-03-11: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-03-11: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects. — issued 2025-03-11 — PDF (3 pages)
- To require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects. — issued 2026-02-02 — PDF (6 pages)