Bill113th CongressSigned into Law

H.R. 267

Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013

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Introduced
Jan 15, 2013
Origin Chamber
House
Policy Area
Water Resources Development
Latest Action
Aug 9, 2013

Sponsor

Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5]

Republican·WA-5
Bioguide ID: M001159
First Name: Cathy
Last Name: McMorris Rodgers
By Request: N
9
Cosponsors
2
Committees
32
Actions
0
Amendments
1
Related Bills
12
Subjects
6
Summaries
7
Titles
7
Text Versions
Law Details
Law Type
Public Law
Law Number
113-23

Bill Details

Update Date
Mar 22, 2023
Origin Chamber
House
Bill Type
HR
Bill Number
267
Congress
113
Introduced Date
Jan 15, 2013
Policy Area
Water Resources Development
Is Law
Yes
Aug 9, 2013President

Became Public Law No: 113-23.

Source: House floor actions

Aug 9, 2013BecameLaw36000

Became Public Law No: 113-23.

Source: Library of Congress

Aug 9, 2013President

Signed by President.

Source: House floor actions

Aug 9, 2013BecameLaw36000

Signed by President.

Source: Library of Congress

Aug 6, 2013Floor

Presented to President.

Source: House floor actions

Aug 6, 2013President28000

Presented to President.

Source: Library of Congress

Aug 2, 2013Floor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Source: Senate

Aug 1, 2013Floor

Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6257)

Source: Senate

Aug 1, 2013Floor17000

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6257)

Source: Library of Congress

Jun 3, 2013Floor

By Senator Wyden from Committee on Energy and Natural Resources filed written report. Report No. 113-38.

Source: Senate

Jun 3, 2013Committee14900

By Senator Wyden from Committee on Energy and Natural Resources filed written report. Report No. 113-38.

Source: Library of Congress

May 13, 2013Calendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 71.

Source: Senate

May 13, 2013Committee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Wyden without amendment. Without written report.

Source: Senate

May 13, 2013Committee14000

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Wyden without amendment. Without written report.

Source: Library of Congress

May 8, 2013Committee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Source: Senate

Apr 23, 2013Committee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-24.

Source: Senate

Feb 14, 2013IntroReferral

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

Source: Senate

Feb 13, 2013FloorH38310

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

Source: House floor actions

Feb 13, 2013FloorH37300

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 - 0 (Roll no. 40). (text: CR 2/12/2013 H439-440)

Source: House floor actions

Feb 13, 2013Floor8000

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 - 0 (Roll no. 40).(text: CR 2/12/2013 H439-440)

Source: Library of Congress

Feb 13, 2013FloorH30000

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H481)

Source: House floor actions

Feb 12, 2013FloorH37220

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

Source: House floor actions

Feb 12, 2013FloorH8D000

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 267.

Source: House floor actions

Feb 12, 2013FloorH30000

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H439-441)

Source: House floor actions

Feb 12, 2013FloorH30300

Mr. Whitfield moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

Source: House floor actions

Feb 4, 2013CalendarsH12410

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 4.

Source: House floor actions

Feb 4, 2013CommitteeH12200

Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 113-6.

Source: House floor actions

Feb 4, 2013Committee5000

Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 113-6.

Source: Library of Congress

Jan 18, 2013Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.

Source: House committee actions

Jan 15, 2013IntroReferralH11100

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Source: House floor actions

Jan 15, 2013IntroReferralIntro-H

Introduced in House

Source: Library of Congress

Jan 15, 2013IntroReferral1000

Introduced in House

Source: Library of Congress

Introduced in House· Jan 15, 20130

Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to increase from 5,000 to 10,000 kilowatts the size of small hydroelectric power projects which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) may exempt from its license requirements.

Amends the Federal Power Act to revise the limitation on the maximum installation capacity of qualifying conduit hydropower facilities that are eligible for an exemption from licensing requirements.

Requires any person, state, or municipality proposing to construct a qualifying conduit hydropower facility to file with FERC a notice of intent to do so. Requires FERC, within 15 days after receiving such a notice of intent, to make an initial determination as to whether the facility meets the qualifying criteria.

Waives license requirements for any conduit hydroelectric facility that: (1) uses for electric power generation only the hydroelectric potential of a non-federally owned conduit, (2) has a maximum installed capacity of 5 megawatts, and (3) is not currently licensed or exempted from license requirements.

Redefines "conduit" to specify any tunnel, canal, pipeline, aqueduct, flume, ditch, or similar manmade water conveyance operated for the distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, or industrial consumption and not primarily for the generation of electricity.

Authorizes FERC to: (1) exempt from license requirements any electric power generation facility that utilizes for such generation only the hydroelectric potential of a conduit, and has an installed capacity or 40 megawatts or fewer; and (2) extend the preliminary permit period for up to 2 additional years beyond the 3 years otherwise allowed if it finds that the permittee has implemented activities under the permit in good faith and with reasonable diligence.

Directs FERC to: (1) investigate the feasibility of issuing a license for hydropower development at nonpowered dams and closed loop pumped storage projects during a two-year period, and (2) hold workshops and develop hydropower pilot projects.

Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to study: (1) the technical flexibility that existing pumped storage facilities can provide to support intermittent renewable electric energy generation, including the potential for such facilities to be upgraded or retrofitted with advanced commercially available technology; and (2) the technical potential of existing pumped storage facilities and new advanced pumped storage facilities to provide grid reliability benefits.

Reported to House without amendment· Feb 4, 201379

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to increase from 5,000 to 10,000 kilowatts the size of small hydroelectric power projects which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) may exempt from its license requirements.

(Sec. 4) Amends the Federal Power Act to revise the limitation on the maximum installation capacity of qualifying conduit hydropower facilities that are eligible for an exemption from licensing requirements.

Requires any person, state, or municipality proposing to construct a qualifying conduit hydropower facility to file with FERC a notice of intent to do so. Requires FERC, within 15 days after receiving such a notice of intent, to make an initial determination as to whether the facility meets the qualifying criteria.

Waives license requirements for any conduit hydroelectric facility that: (1) uses for electric power generation only the hydroelectric potential of a non-federally owned conduit, (2) has a maximum installed capacity of 5 megawatts, and (3) is not currently licensed or exempted from license requirements.

Redefines "conduit" to specify any tunnel, canal, pipeline, aqueduct, flume, ditch, or similar manmade water conveyance operated for the distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, or industrial consumption and not primarily for the generation of electricity.

Authorizes FERC to: (1) exempt from license requirements any electric power generation facility that utilizes for such generation only the hydroelectric potential of a conduit, and has an installed capacity or 40 megawatts or fewer; and (2) extend the preliminary permit period for up to 2 additional years beyond the 3 years otherwise allowed if it finds that the permittee has implemented activities under the permit in good faith and with reasonable diligence.

(Sec. 6) Directs FERC to: (1) investigate the feasibility of issuing a license for hydropower development at nonpowered dams and closed loop pumped storage projects during a two-year period, and (2) hold workshops and develop hydropower pilot projects.

(Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to study: (1) the technical flexibility that existing pumped storage facilities can provide to support intermittent renewable electric energy generation, including the potential for such facilities to be upgraded or retrofitted with advanced commercially available technology; and (2) the technical potential of existing pumped storage facilities and new advanced pumped storage facilities to provide grid reliability benefits.

Passed House without amendment· Feb 13, 201381

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to increase from 5,000 to 10,000 kilowatts the size of small hydroelectric power projects which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) may exempt from its license requirements.

(Sec. 4) Amends the Federal Power Act to revise the limitation on the maximum installation capacity of qualifying conduit hydropower facilities that are eligible for an exemption from licensing requirements.

Requires any person, state, or municipality proposing to construct a qualifying conduit hydropower facility to file with FERC a notice of intent to do so. Requires FERC, within 15 days after receiving such a notice of intent, to make an initial determination as to whether the facility meets the qualifying criteria.

Waives license requirements for any conduit hydroelectric facility that: (1) uses for electric power generation only the hydroelectric potential of a non-federally owned conduit, (2) has a maximum installed capacity of 5 megawatts, and (3) is not currently licensed or exempted from license requirements.

Redefines "conduit" to specify any tunnel, canal, pipeline, aqueduct, flume, ditch, or similar manmade water conveyance operated for the distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, or industrial consumption and not primarily for the generation of electricity.

Authorizes FERC to: (1) exempt from license requirements any electric power generation facility that utilizes for such generation only the hydroelectric potential of a conduit, and has an installed capacity or 40 megawatts or fewer; and (2) extend the preliminary permit period for up to 2 additional years beyond the 3 years otherwise allowed if it finds that the permittee has implemented activities under the permit in good faith and with reasonable diligence.

(Sec. 6) Directs FERC to: (1) investigate the feasibility of issuing a license for hydropower development at nonpowered dams and closed loop pumped storage projects during a two-year period, and (2) hold workshops and develop hydropower pilot projects.

(Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to study: (1) the technical flexibility that existing pumped storage facilities can provide to support intermittent renewable electric energy generation, including the potential for such facilities to be upgraded or retrofitted with advanced commercially available technology; and (2) the technical potential of existing pumped storage facilities and new advanced pumped storage facilities to provide grid reliability benefits.

Reported to Senate without amendment· May 13, 201380

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to increase from 5,000 to 10,000 kilowatts the size of small hydroelectric power projects which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) may exempt from its license requirements.

(Sec. 4) Amends the Federal Power Act to revise the limitation on the maximum installation capacity of qualifying conduit hydropower facilities that are eligible for an exemption from licensing requirements.

Requires any person, state, or municipality proposing to construct a qualifying conduit hydropower facility to file with FERC a notice of intent to do so. Requires FERC, within 15 days after receiving such a notice of intent, to make an initial determination as to whether the facility meets the qualifying criteria.

Waives license requirements for any conduit hydroelectric facility that: (1) uses for electric power generation only the hydroelectric potential of a non-federally owned conduit, (2) has a maximum installed capacity of 5 megawatts, and (3) is not currently licensed or exempted from license requirements.

Redefines "conduit" to specify any tunnel, canal, pipeline, aqueduct, flume, ditch, or similar manmade water conveyance operated for the distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, or industrial consumption and not primarily for the generation of electricity.

Authorizes FERC to: (1) exempt from license requirements any electric power generation facility that utilizes for such generation only the hydroelectric potential of a conduit, and has an installed capacity or 40 megawatts or fewer; and (2) extend the preliminary permit period for up to 2 additional years beyond the 3 years otherwise allowed if it finds that the permittee has implemented activities under the permit in good faith and with reasonable diligence.

(Sec. 6) Directs FERC to: (1) investigate the feasibility of issuing a license for hydropower development at nonpowered dams and closed loop pumped storage projects during a two-year period, and (2) hold workshops and develop hydropower pilot projects.

(Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to study: (1) the technical flexibility that existing pumped storage facilities can provide to support intermittent renewable electric energy generation, including the potential for such facilities to be upgraded or retrofitted with advanced commercially available technology; and (2) the technical potential of existing pumped storage facilities and new advanced pumped storage facilities to provide grid reliability benefits.

Passed Senate without amendment· Aug 1, 201382

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to increase from 5,000 to 10,000 kilowatts the size of small hydroelectric power projects which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) may exempt from its license requirements.

(Sec. 4) Amends the Federal Power Act to revise the limitation on the maximum installation capacity of qualifying conduit hydropower facilities that are eligible for an exemption from licensing requirements.

Requires any person, state, or municipality proposing to construct a qualifying conduit hydropower facility to file with FERC a notice of intent to do so. Requires FERC, within 15 days after receiving such a notice of intent, to make an initial determination as to whether the facility meets the qualifying criteria.

Waives license requirements for any conduit hydroelectric facility that: (1) uses for electric power generation only the hydroelectric potential of a non-federally owned conduit, (2) has a maximum installed capacity of 5 megawatts, and (3) is not currently licensed or exempted from license requirements.

Redefines "conduit" to specify any tunnel, canal, pipeline, aqueduct, flume, ditch, or similar manmade water conveyance operated for the distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, or industrial consumption and not primarily for the generation of electricity.

Authorizes FERC to: (1) exempt from license requirements any electric power generation facility that utilizes for such generation only the hydroelectric potential of a conduit, and has an installed capacity or 40 megawatts or fewer; and (2) extend the preliminary permit period for up to 2 additional years beyond the 3 years otherwise allowed if it finds that the permittee has implemented activities under the permit in good faith and with reasonable diligence.

(Sec. 6) Directs FERC to: (1) investigate the feasibility of issuing a license for hydropower development at nonpowered dams and closed loop pumped storage projects during a two-year period, and (2) hold workshops and develop hydropower pilot projects.

(Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to study: (1) the technical flexibility that existing pumped storage facilities can provide to support intermittent renewable electric energy generation, including the potential for such facilities to be upgraded or retrofitted with advanced commercially available technology; and (2) the technical potential of existing pumped storage facilities and new advanced pumped storage facilities to provide grid reliability benefits.

Public Law· Aug 9, 201349

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to increase from 5,000 to 10,000 kilowatts the size of small hydroelectric power projects which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) may exempt from its license requirements.

(Sec. 4) Amends the Federal Power Act to revise the limitation on the maximum installation capacity of qualifying conduit hydropower facilities that are eligible for an exemption from licensing requirements.

Requires any person, state, or municipality proposing to construct a qualifying conduit hydropower facility to file with FERC a notice of intent to do so. Requires FERC, within 15 days after receiving such a notice of intent, to make an initial determination as to whether the facility meets the qualifying criteria.

Waives license requirements for any conduit hydroelectric facility that: (1) uses for electric power generation only the hydroelectric potential of a non-federally owned conduit, (2) has a maximum installed capacity of 5 megawatts, and (3) is not currently licensed or exempted from license requirements.

Redefines "conduit" to specify any tunnel, canal, pipeline, aqueduct, flume, ditch, or similar manmade water conveyance operated for the distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, or industrial consumption and not primarily for the generation of electricity.

Authorizes FERC to: (1) exempt from license requirements any electric power generation facility that utilizes for such generation only the hydroelectric potential of a conduit, and has an installed capacity or 40 megawatts or fewer; and (2) extend the preliminary permit period for up to 2 additional years beyond the 3 years otherwise allowed if it finds that the permittee has implemented activities under the permit in good faith and with reasonable diligence.

(Sec. 6) Directs FERC to: (1) investigate the feasibility of issuing a license for hydropower development at nonpowered dams and closed loop pumped storage projects during a two-year period, and (2) hold workshops and develop hydropower pilot projects.

(Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to study: (1) the technical flexibility that existing pumped storage facilities can provide to support intermittent renewable electric energy generation, including the potential for such facilities to be upgraded or retrofitted with advanced commercially available technology; and (2) the technical potential of existing pumped storage facilities and new advanced pumped storage facilities to provide grid reliability benefits.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Senate· Standing

Energy and Commerce Committee

House· Standing
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAlternative and renewable resourcesCongressional oversightDams and canalsDepartment of EnergyElectric power generation and transmissionFederal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)Government studies and investigationsLicensing and registrationsWater storageWater use and supply

Enrolled Bill

Reported to Senate

May 13, 2013

Referred in Senate

Feb 14, 2013

Engrossed in House

Feb 13, 2013

Reported in House

Feb 4, 2013

Introduced in House

Jan 15, 2013

Public Law

Aug 10, 2013

Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 — Informed