Streamlining Permits for Hydropower Projects (H.R. 3043)
Do you support or oppose this bill?
What is H.R. 3043?
(Updated May 9, 2018)
This bill would reform the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) reviews and procedures for approving licenses to build and operate hydroelectric power facilities. It would make FERC the lead agency for all hydropower authorizations, approvals, and requirements mandated by federal law while minimizing the duplication of studies. Additionally, it would modify the definition of renewable energy to include hydropower, extend the timeframe for a preliminary permit from 3 to 4 years, and extend the time limit for construction “for not more than 8 additional years.”
Procedures would be established for trial-type hearings conducted by an Administrative Law Judge to resolve disputes about conditions and fishway requirements under the Federal Power Act.
Reforms contained in this bill would have no impact on the Clean Water Act, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Endangered Species Act, Rivers and Harbors Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.
Argument in favor
This bill streamlines the outdated permitting process for hydropower projects so that Americans can get more clean, reliable energy from a renewable source.
Argument opposed
This bill would increase uncertainty in the hydropower regulatory process by limiting the involvement of several federal agencies.
Impact
Applicants for hydropower project permits; federal, state, and local agencies; and FERC.
Cost of H.R. 3043
The CBO estimates that enacting this bill would have no impact on the federal budget because FERC covers its costs through fees.
Additional Info
In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA) introduced this bill to modernize and streamline the hydropower relicensing processes:
“Hydropower plays a major role in our economy and energy supply in Eastern Washington. It is clean, safe, reliable, renewable, and affordable. On average, it takes only 18 months to license a new natural gas facility, but it can take up to 10 years or longer to license a new hydropower project or relicense an existing facility. As the largest source of renewable energy in the United States, we need to modernize the way we license and relicense hydropower and this legislation will do that.”
Two Democrats from the House Energy & Commerce Committee expressed their opposition to this bill in its committee report:
“H.R. 3043 is an unbalanced bill that is far more likely to generate new controversy and lawsuits than to facilitate a timely and efficient hydropower licensing process. It will deliver neither the faster outcomes nor the improved environmental performance we need… The hydropower licensing process can and should be more efficient, but the industry should not be permitted to operate without conditions to mitigate adverse impacts.”
This legislation passed the House Energy & Commerce Committee on a voice vote and has the support
Of Note: About 6 percent of U.S. electricity was generated by hydropower in 2015, and a Dept. of Energy report projected that hydropower could grow by almost 50 percent from current levels by 2050. That could be accomplished through upgrades to existing facilities, adding generation capacity to non-powered dams and canals (only 3 percent of U.S. dams produce electricity), and building new hydropower facilities.
Media:
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Sponsoring Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA) Press Release
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Rep. McMorris-Rodgers Statement
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House Energy & Commerce Committee Press Release
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House Energy & Commerce Committee Report
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Republican Policy Committee
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CBO Cost Estimate
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Public Power Association (In Favor)
Summary by Eric Revell
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