Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act

To amend the Federal Power Act to promote hydropower development at existing nonpowered dams, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act 2. Promoting hydropower development at existing nonpowered dams Part I of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 792 34. Promoting hydropower development at existing nonpowered dams (a) Expedited licensing process for non-Federal hydropower projects at existing nonpowered dams (1) In general As provided in this section, the Commission may issue and amend licenses and preliminary permits, as appropriate, for any facility the Commission determines is a qualifying facility. (2) Rule Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Commission shall issue a rule establishing an expedited process for issuing and amending licenses and preliminary permits for qualifying facilities under this section. (3) Interagency Task Force In establishing the expedited process under this section, the Commission shall convene an interagency task force, with appropriate Federal and State agencies and Indian tribes represented, to coordinate the regulatory processes associated with the authorizations required to construct and operate a qualifying facility. (4) Length of Process The Commission shall ensure that the expedited process under this section will result in a final decision on an application for a license by not later than 2 years after receipt of a completed application for the license. (b) Dam safety (1) Assessment Before issuing any license for a qualifying facility, the Commission shall assess the safety of existing non-Federal dams and other non-Federal structures related to the qualifying facility (including possible consequences associated with failure of such structures). (2) Requirements In issuing any license for a qualifying facility, the Commission shall ensure that the Commission’s dam safety requirements apply to such qualifying facility, and the associated qualifying nonpowered dam, over the term of such license. (c) Interagency communications Interagency cooperation in the preparation of environmental documents under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 (1) be considered to be ex parte communications under Commission rules; or (2) preclude an agency from participating in a licensing proceeding under this part. (d) Definitions For purposes of this section: (1) Qualifying criteria The term qualifying criteria (A) as of the date of enactment of this section, the facility is not licensed under, or exempted from the license requirements contained in, this part; (B) the facility will be associated with a qualifying nonpowered dam; (C) the facility will be constructed, operated, and maintained for the generation of electric power; (D) the facility will use for such generation any withdrawals, diversions, releases, or flows from the associated qualifying nonpowered dam, including its associated impoundment or other infrastructure; and (E) the operation of the facility will not result in any material change to the storage, release, or flow operations of the associated qualifying nonpowered dam. (2) Qualifying facility The term qualifying facility (3) Qualifying nonpowered dam The term qualifying nonpowered dam (A) the construction of which was completed on or before the date of enactment of this section; (B) that is or was operated for the control, release, or distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, navigational, industrial, commercial, environmental, recreational, aesthetic, drinking water, or flood control purposes; and (C) that, as of the date of enactment of this section, is not generating electricity with hydropower generating works that are licensed under, or exempted from the license requirements contained in, this part. . 3. Obligation for payment of annual charges Section 10(e) of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 803(e) (5) Any obligation of a licensee for payment of annual charges under this subsection shall commence when the construction of the applicable facility commences. .

Summary: Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act This bill amends the Federal Power Act to authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to establish an expedited process for issuing and amending licenses and preliminary permits for new hydropower facilities at existing nonpowered dams. Before licensing the hydropower facility, FERC must assess the safety of existing nonfederal dams and other nonfederal structures. Licensees of hydropower facility are not required to pay an annual charge for administrative expenses until construction commences.