Sponsors (2)
The bill increases transparency and predictability in hydropower licensing for developers, governments, and affected communities—potentially speeding approvals—while imposing new reporting costs, risking disclosure of sensitive developer information, and creating pressure that could lead to rushed environmental reviews if not paired with adequate resources.
Utilities, project applicants, and state/local governments receive clearer, regular updates on pending hydropower licenses, improving their project planning and reducing schedule uncertainty.
Congress (and therefore taxpayers) receives regular oversight data to identify licensing backlogs and target reforms or funding to speed approvals.
Tribes, municipalities, and other affected communities gain clearer transparency about what actions are required of them and of agencies during the licensing process.
Rural communities and indigenous Tribes could face environmental or procedural harm if Congress uses the reports to push faster licensing without providing adequate review resources.
Taxpayers will bear additional administrative costs to prepare and maintain the detailed annual reports (paid through FERC funding).
Utilities and developers may have proprietary scheduling or strategy information exposed by the public reporting of pending project details.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires FERC to report to Congress within 180 days and annually on the status of certain hydropower license matters, including dates, docket numbers, application status, and required actions.
Introduced December 16, 2025 by Catherine Marie Cortez Masto · Last progress December 16, 2025
Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to give Congress a report within 180 days of enactment and then every year on the status of certain hydropower licensing proceedings. Reports must list eligible pending new, subsequent, and original hydropower license matters and provide dates, docket numbers, application status, upcoming meetings, and actions required of affected parties, with data split by license type.