HR-2072 — To require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects.

YourVoice.Now Summary

Corporate Benefits

Hydropower builders could get six more years to start work — and licenses that ran out could come back.

Corporate Benefits

Time to start building hydropower projects — 6 more years

Federal law gives a company eight years to start building after FERC approves a hydropower project. FERC could grant up to three more two-year extensions, one at a time. The company would have to ask each time and show good reason.

Second chance for expired hydropower licenses — if they lapsed after 2023

Some licenses have already run out while projects sat unbuilt. FERC could bring those back as if they never lapsed. This covers projects whose deadline passed after December 31, 2023.

More about this bill

Most people would see no change in daily life. This is a deadline change for companies that hold federal permits to build hydropower projects. Those are dams and other river-based power plants. Right now a company has eight years to start building after it gets a license. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issues those licenses. If work never starts, the license can expire. FERC could add up to six more years, in three two-year steps. The company would have to ask and show good reason. Only projects licensed before March 13, 2020 would qualify. FERC could also bring back a license that already ran out, if it lapsed after December 31, 2023. A stalled project near you could start up years later than the old rules allowed.

Congressional Summary

This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend construction deadlines for hydropower projects that were issued a license before March 13, 2020. FERC is authorized, upon the request of the licensees, to extend the deadline for beginning construction on such projects an additional six years beyond the eight-year extension FERC is authorized to provide under current law. The extension must consist of no more than three consecutive two-year periods.The bill also provides that FERC may reinstate certain expired licenses for projects with construction deadlines extended under this bill, effective as of the date they expire.

Legislative Subjects

Alternative and renewable resourcesDams and canalsElectric power generation and transmissionInfrastructure developmentLicensing and registrations

Details

Congress: 119th
Chamber: House
Status: summarized
Action: Reported to House
Action Date: 2026-02-02
Date Added: 2026-07-16
Source: Congress.gov →

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