Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act

Bill: 115-hr-2872
Sponsor: Rep. Bucshon, Larry [R-IN-8]
Introduced: 2017-06-12 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Floods and storm protection
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Licensing and registrations
User charges and fees
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-12
text: 

Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act

 
This bill amends the Federal Power Act (FPA)to authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to exempt from FPA license requirements any qualifying facility (a facility that meets criteria specified in this bill). 
 
No federal authorization required for a qualifying facility may include any condition or other requirement that results in any material change to the storage, control, withdrawal, diversion, release, or flow operations of the associated qualifying nonpowered dam. 
 
 Unless FERC determines that its obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for granting exemptions under this bill can be met through a categorical exclusion, its environmental review of a proposed exemption shall be only an environmental assessment. 

action_date: 2017-12-12
text: 

Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act

 
(Sec.2)This bill amends the Federal Power Act to authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)to establish an expedited licensing process for issuing and amending licenses and preliminary permits for any qualifying facility as defined by this bill.
 
In establishing the expedited process, FERC shall convene an interagency task force with appropriate federal and state agencies and Indian tribes to coordinate the regulatory process associated with the authorizations required to construct and operate a qualifying facility.
 
FERC must assess the safety of existing non-federal dams and other non-federal structures related to the qualifying facility before issuing any license for a qualifying facility.
 
FERC must coordinate with the Department of the Army, Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture to jointly develop a list of existing nonpowered federal dams that have the greatest potential for non-federal hydropower development.
 
(Sec.3)Licensees of a qualifying facility are not required to pay an annual charge for administrative expenses until construction commences.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-12-13
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-12-12
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2017-12-12
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H9809)
action_date: 2017-12-12
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H9809)
action_date: 2017-12-12
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2872.
action_date: 2017-12-12
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9809-9812)
action_date: 2017-12-12
text: Mr. Upton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2017-12-12
text: Committee on Natural Resources discharged.
action_date: 2017-12-12
text: Committee on Transportation discharged.
action_date: 2017-12-12
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 343.
action_date: 2017-12-12
text: Committee on Natural Resources discharged.
action_date: 2017-12-12
text: Committee on Transportation discharged.
action_date: 2017-12-12
text: Referred jointly and sequentially to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for a period ending not later than Dec. 12, 2017 for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment as fall within the jurisdiction of that committee under clause 1(r) of rule X.
action_date: 2017-12-12
text: Referred jointly and sequentially to the House Committee on Natural Resources for a period ending not later than Dec. 12, 2017 for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment as fall within the jurisdiction of that committee under clause 1(m) of rule X.
action_date: 2017-12-12
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-461, Part I.
action_date: 2017-12-12
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-461, Part I.
action_date: 2017-12-06
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2017-12-06
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-10-26
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2017-06-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
action_date: 2017-06-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-06-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-12
text: Introduced in House