Bill > S3500

This bill, titled the Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act, amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, wholesale electricity sales, and hydropower development, to submit an annual report to Congress. This report will detail the status of hydropower relicensing applications, which are renewals of existing licenses for hydropower facilities, and original license applications for new hydropower projects. The bill specifies that these reports must be submitted within 180 days of the bill's enactment and annually thereafter. The reports will cover applications where the existing licensee has indicated an intent to reapply for a new license at least three years before the report's submission, but the new license has not yet been issued, as well as original license applications from various entities like citizens, associations, corporations, states, Indian Tribes, or municipalities that have also given at least three years' notice of their intent to apply but have not yet received their license. Each report must include key details such as the date of the notice of intent to apply, any assigned case numbers, whether an application has been filed, the anticipated issuance date of the license, upcoming proceedings, and a description of actions taken by all involved parties, including the FERC, licensees, and relevant agencies. The information will be presented separately for new or subsequent licenses and original licenses.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3500/all-info