Require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects.

This bill gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the power to give more time to start building certain hydropower projects that already have a license. It applies to projects licensed before March 13, 2020. If the license holder asks and has a good reason, FERC can add up to six extra years beyond the usual eight-year limit, in three steps of two years each. It also lets FERC bring back a license that ran out between December 31, 2023, and the day this bill becomes law, and start the new time period from that expiration date.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Hydropower projects with licenses issued before March 13, 2020.
• What changes: FERC may extend the deadline to start construction by up to six years, in three 2‑year periods, if there’s a good reason.
• When it applies: The extra time starts after the last extension allowed under current law ends; licenses that expired after December 31, 2023, and before this becomes law can be reinstated.