Uses section 36 (codified at 16 U.S.C. 823g) as the placement point to insert a new section 37 into the Federal Power Act; the text of 16 U.S.C. 823g is not amended by this section.
Adds a new subsection (g) requiring the Commission to submit an initial report within 180 days and then annual reports to Congress on the status of certain pending new-license (relicensing) processes under section 15.
Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the Commission) to send Congress an annual report about certain pending license proceedings. The first report must be delivered within 180 days of the law taking effect and must list cases where an existing licensee gave notice at least three years earlier that it planned to apply for a new license but no new license has been yet issued, along with status details and next steps.
Adds a new subsection (g) to Section 15 of the Federal Power Act to require annual reporting on relicensing status.
Requires the Commission to submit to Congress a report on the status of the licensing process for each new license where an existing licensee notified the Commission under subsection (b)(1) at least 3 years before the report that it intends to file an application, but a new license has not yet been issued. The first report is due not later than 180 days after enactment of this subsection, and reports are required annually thereafter.
Report must include the date notice was provided to the Commission under subsection (b)(1).
Report must include any docket number assigned with respect to the licensing process.
Report must state whether any application for a new license has been filed.
2 meetings related to this legislation
Who is affected and how:
Overall effect: The legislation increases transparency and oversight of long-running license proceedings by creating a standardized annual reporting requirement. It does not change the legal standards or timelines for issuing licenses, nor does it itself compel faster issuance; its principal effect is informational and administrative. Administrative burden on the Commission will increase modestly due to data collection and report preparation, but no new substantive authority or programmatic funding is provided in the text.
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Last progress July 15, 2025 (6 months ago)
Introduced on May 29, 2025 by Kim Schrier
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.