H.R. 4045 would amend timelines and procedures regarding the licensing of nonfederal hydropower projects. Additionally, the bill would:
Require federal agencies to procure an increasing amount of their electricity from renewable energy sources in future years, culminating at a minimum of 25 percent in 2028 and beyond;
Expand the definition of renewable energy to include existing hydropower capacity; and
Direct agencies to report to the Congress on how they will use hydropower to fulfill the bill’s renewable energy requirements.
Under the Federal Power Act, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) reviews licenses to construct and operate nonfederal hydropower facilities in consultation with federal, state, and local entities. The bill would exempt various facilities from licensing requirements, specify timelines for license reviews, clarify FERC’s role in coordinating with relevant agencies, establish an interagency task force to coordinate the licensing of next-generation hydropower projects, and require FERC to complete various reports.
