Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-3043
Sponsor: Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5]
Introduced: 2017-06-23 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Alternative and renewable resources
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-23
text: 

Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017

 
This bill designates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the lead agency for coordinating all federal authorizations and reviews related to hydropower license applications, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.FERC must establish a process to set a schedule for the review and disposition of each federal authorization following the filing of an application for a license, license amendment, or exemption. 
 
The bill expands the definition of &quot;renewable energy&quot; to include electric energy generated from hydropower projects.The bill authorizes FERC to extend the length of time of preliminary permits and to extend the time limit that a licensee has to commence construction on a hydropower project.
 
The bill authorizes the use of trial-type hearings to resolve disputes related to a hydropower license application. Under certain circumstances, the hearing may be demanded by applicants or other parties for any disputed issues of material fact. 
 
FERC must consult with federal and state agencies and the public to compile best practices for performing studies and environmental reviews in connection with the timely and efficient completion of hydropower license proceedings.
 
The bill creates a process to approve license amendments for qualifying hydropower projects. 

action_date: 2017-10-31
text: 

Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017

 
This bill designates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the lead agency for coordinating all federal authorizations and reviews related to hydropower license applications, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.FERC must establish a process to set a schedule for the review and disposition of each federal authorization following the filing of an application for a license. 
 
The bill expands the definition of &quot;renewable energy&quot; to include electric energy generated from hydropower projects.The bill authorizes FERC to extend the length of time of preliminary permits and to extend the time limit that a licensee has to commence construction on a hydropower project.
 
The bill authorizes the use of trial-type hearings to resolve disputes related to a hydropower license application. Under certain circumstances, the hearing may be demanded by applicants or other parties for any disputed issues of material fact. 
 
FERC must consult with federal and state agencies and the public to compile best practices for performing studies and environmental reviews in connection with the timely and efficient completion of hydropower license proceedings.
 
The bill creates a process to approve license amendments for qualifying hydropower projects. 

action_date: 2017-11-08
text: 

Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017

 
(Sec.2)This bill designates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the lead agency for coordinating all federal authorizations and reviews related to hydropower license applications, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.FERC must establish a process to set a schedule for the review and disposition of each federal authorization following the filing of an application for a license. 
 
The bill expands the definition of &quot;renewable energy&quot; to include electric energy generated from hydropower projects.The bill authorizes FERC to extend the length of time of preliminary permits and to extend the time limit that a licensee has to commence construction on a hydropower project.
 
(Sec.3)The bill authorizes the use of trial-type hearings to resolve disputes related to a hydropower license application. Under certain circumstances, the hearing may be demanded by applicants or other parties for any disputed issues of material fact. 
 
FERC must consult with federal and state agencies and the public to compile best practices for performing studies and environmental reviews in connection with the timely and efficient completion of hydropower license proceedings.
 
The bill creates a process to approve license amendments for qualifying hydropower projects.
 
(Sec.5)The Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior must consider the threat of invasive species when prescribing a fishway. (Fishways are structures placed on or around constructed barriers to give fish the opportunity to migrate.)
 
(Sec.6) FERC may examine the license for any project that is located in an area that was declared to be a disaster area in 2017.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-11-09
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 257 - 166 (Roll no. 620). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H8630-8633)
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 257 - 166 (Roll no. 620).(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H8630-8633)
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3043.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8641-8642)
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 3043 as unfinished business.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: Mr. Upton moved that the Committee rise.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Rush amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Rush demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 607, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rush amendment No. 4.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 607, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jenkins (WV) amendment No. 3.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 607, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Babin amendment No. 2.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 607, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Grothman amendment No. 1.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 3043.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: The Speaker designated the Honorable Randy Hultgren to act as Chairman of the Committee.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 607 and Rule XVIII.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3043 and H.R. 3441. Measure will be considered read. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3043. The resolution makes in order only those further amendments printed in the report and one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Also, the resolution provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3441 with one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
action_date: 2017-11-08
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 607. (consideration: CR H8614-8641)
action_date: 2017-11-06
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 607 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3043 and H.R. 3441. Measure will be considered read. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3043. The resolution makes in order only those further amendments printed in the report and one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Also, the resolution provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3441 with one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
action_date: 2017-10-31
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 277.
action_date: 2017-10-31
text: Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
action_date: 2017-10-31
text: Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
action_date: 2017-10-31
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-377, Part I.
action_date: 2017-10-31
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-377, Part I.
action_date: 2017-06-28
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2017-06-28
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-06-23
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-06-23
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-06-23
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-23
text: Introduced in House