A bill to amend the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 to improve provisions relating to the development of hydropower at Corps of Engineers facilities, and for other purposes.
Bill: S.4540 | Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve (R-MT)
Policy area: Water Resources Development

Summary:
This bill requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to (1) assess opportunities to increase hydroelectric power at its projects (e.g, dams and locks), and (2) create a new program manager position for nonfederal hydroelectric power development.

To amend the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 to 
 improve provisions relating to the development of hydropower at Corps 
            of Engineers facilities, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. EXPEDITING HYDROPOWER AT CORPS OF ENGINEERS FACILITIES.

    Section 1008 of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 
2014 (33 U.S.C. 2321b) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``and to meet the 
        requirements of subsection (b)'' after ``projects'';
            (2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections 
        (c) and (d), respectively;
            (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
    ``(b) Implementation of Policy.--The Secretary shall--
            ``(1) ensure that the policy described in section (a) is 
        implemented nationwide in an efficient, consistent, and 
        coordinated manner; and
            ``(2) assess opportunities--
                    ``(A) to increase the development of hydroelectric 
                power at existing hydroelectric water resources 
                development projects of the Corps of Engineers; and
                    ``(B) to develop new hydroelectric power at 
                nonpowered water resources development projects of the 
                Corps of Engineers.''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Program Manager for Non-Federal Hydroelectric Power 
Development.--
            ``(1) Designation.--The Chief of Engineers shall designate 
        an employee of the Corps of Engineers as a Program Manager for 
        Non-Federal Hydroelectric Power Development (referred to in 
        this subsection as the `Program Manager').
            ``(2) Requirements.--The Program Manager shall--
                    ``(A) not be otherwise involved in the review of 
                any Corps of Engineers permit to develop hydroelectric 
                power at Corps of Engineers civil works projects; and
                    ``(B) be located at the headquarters office of the 
                Corps of Engineers.
            ``(3) Responsibilities.--With respect to the development of 
        non-Federal hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers civil 
        works projects, the Program Manager shall--
                    ``(A) ensure timely and consistent review of 
                permits across Corps of Engineers districts and levels;
                    ``(B) answer questions within the Corps of 
                Engineers, or facilitate communication between 
                developers and the Corps of Engineers, concerning Corps 
                of Engineers permits;
                    ``(C) answer questions from developers regarding 
                the permitting process of the Corps of Engineers;
                    ``(D) coordinate with the Federal Energy Regulatory 
                Commission on licensing matters;
                    ``(E) facilitate timely action on all aspects of 
                Federal permitting required for hydropower development; 
                and
                    ``(F) ensure that new hydropower productions are 
                designed and operated with environmentally sustainable 
                technologies and management plans.
            ``(4) Reporting.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        enactment of this subsection, the Chief of Engineers shall 
        submit to Congress a report on the implementation of this 
        subsection and subsection (b).''.
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