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Bill115th CongressFiled Jun 12, 2017Energy
H.R. 2872

Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Dec 12, 2017)

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.

What just happenedDec 13, 2017

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Bucshon, Larry [R-IN-8](R-IN)Sponsor
Read on Congress.gov
4committees23actions3related bills10subjects
  1. Dec 13, 2017IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  2. Dec 12, 2017FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Dec 12, 2017FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H9809)

  4. Dec 12, 2017Floor8000

    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)

  5. Dec 12, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2872.

  6. Dec 12, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9809-9812)

  7. Dec 12, 2017FloorH30300

    Mr. Upton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  8. Dec 12, 2017DischargeH12300

    Committee on Natural Resources discharged.

    Natural Resources Committee
  9. Dec 12, 2017DischargeH12300

    Committee on Transportation discharged.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  10. Dec 12, 2017CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 343.

  11. Dec 12, 2017Committee5500

    Committee on Natural Resources discharged.

    Natural Resources Committee
  12. Dec 12, 2017Committee5500

    Committee on Transportation discharged.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  13. Dec 12, 2017IntroReferralH11200

    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.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  14. Dec 12, 2017IntroReferralH11200

    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.

    Natural Resources Committee
  15. Dec 12, 2017CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-461, Part I.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  16. Dec 12, 2017Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-461, Part I.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  17. Dec 6, 2017Committee

    Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  18. Dec 6, 2017Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  19. Oct 26, 2017Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .

    Energy, Climate and Grid Security Subcommittee
  20. Jun 16, 2017Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.

    Energy, Climate and Grid Security Subcommittee
  21. Jun 12, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  22. Jun 12, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  23. Jun 12, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedDec 12, 201736

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.

Introduced in HouseJun 12, 2017

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.

Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act — Informed