Bill > HR4696

This bill, known as the Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act, aims to expedite the licensing process for non-federal hydropower projects at existing nonpowered dams. The bill requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to establish an expedited process for issuing and amending licenses and permits for qualifying facilities, which are defined as those that meet certain criteria, such as not being licensed or exempted from licensing requirements, being associated with a qualifying nonpowered dam, and using the dam's water flows for power generation without materially changing the dam's operations. The bill also requires FERC to assess the safety of the existing dam structures and ensure its dam safety requirements apply to the qualifying facilities. Additionally, the bill clarifies that interagency communication during the licensing process under the National Environmental Policy Act does not constitute ex parte communications and does not preclude agency participation in the licensing proceeding.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4696/all-info