Summary

Allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), at a licensee's request, to extend the deadline to start construction on hydropower projects with licenses issued before March 13, 2020 by up to an additional 6 years. These additional years may be granted as up to three consecutive 2-year extensions after the existing 8-year extension period under current law expires, subject to reasonable notice and a showing of good cause. For licenses that expired after December 31, 2023 and before this law takes effect, FERC may reinstate the license effective as of the expiration date and apply the new extension authority from that expiration date.

• FERC may extend the time to commence construction for hydropower licenses issued before March 13, 2020 at a licensee's request.
• Adds up to 6 additional years of extension authority, granted as up to three consecutive 2-year periods.
• Additional extensions start after the current 8-year statutory extension period expires and end no later than six years after FERC's latest existing extension date.
• Extensions require reasonable notice and a showing of good cause by the licensee.
• Licenses that expired after Dec 31, 2023 and before enactment may be reinstated effective as of their expiration date, with the new extension authority applied from that date.
• The change modifies FERC's timing authority only and does not provide new federal funding.
• Extended or reinstated licenses remain subject to existing legal and regulatory requirements, including environmental reviews and license conditions.