National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8889
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Water Resources Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-19: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T19:58:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation aims to strengthen dam and hydropower safety standards under the Federal Power Act by requiring better maintenance, oversight, and communication between the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and states.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 10 of the Federal Power Act to require that dams and project works meet FERC dam safety requirements, with licensees responsible for managing, operating, and maintaining them safely.
- Amends Section 15 to allow new licenses only if the dam meets safety standards or includes a plan to fix any noncompliance.
- Directs FERC to create procedures for assessing whether license applicants have the financial ability to meet safety requirements and operate the project.
- Requires FERC to hold a technical conference with states by October 1, 2027, covering dam maintenance, risk-informed decision making, climate and hydrological changes, and high-hazard dams.
- Mandates FERC notifications to states about safety inspection findings requiring repairs, failures to repair after five years, and any steps toward license revocation. Upon license revocation or surrender, FERC must share detailed records on dam condition, repairs, history, and assessments with the affected state.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill adds explicit dam safety conditions to existing license requirements in the Federal Power Act, introduces financial viability reviews for applicants, and creates new mandatory communication and information-sharing rules between FERC and states that did not previously exist in this form.
Potential Impacts
- Increases FERC's workload in inspections, licensing reviews, and state coordination.
- Provides states with more timely information on dam conditions and potential risks.
- May raise compliance costs for hydropower licensees and affect the approval or renewal of licenses for noncompliant projects.
- Could improve public safety near dams by encouraging earlier repairs and better risk management, with possible effects on energy production if projects face delays or revocation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (primary regulator).
- State governments where projects are located.
- Hydropower licensees and dam operators.
- Communities and the public near dams that may benefit from enhanced safety measures.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The changes expand FERC's regulatory authority over existing and new licenses without altering core constitutional allocations of power between federal and state governments. The emphasis on financial viability and state notifications could influence licensing outcomes and intergovernmental relations but does not introduce major new legal conflicts or rights.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-19: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-05-19: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-19: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-19 — PDF (6 pages)